Parliament votes to delay EU compliance with WHO air quality standards until 2035

The European Parliament on Wednesday (13 September) adopted its position on a revised law to improve air quality in the EU, calling for stricter limits on several pollutants, but delaying compliance with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines until 2035. 

With 363 MEPs in favour, 226 against and 46 abstentions, the Parliament voted to align EU rules with the most recent guidelines from the WHO.

“Air pollution is a silent pandemic that deserves more political attention than it has today,” said Javi López (S&D), the Parliament’s speaker on the proposal. “Today’s approval of the Air Quality Directive marks a big step towards cleaner and healthier air for everyone in Europe.” 

The vote sets Europe on course to achieve its zero pollution objective by 2050, in line with the Zero Pollution Action Plan presented by the European Commission in October last year.

The law calls for more ambitious limits on pollutants, increased air quality sampling points in urban areas, and standardised air quality indices for citizens’ information. 

In addition to air quality plans, member states must develop roadmaps containing short- and long-term measures to comply with the new limit values. 

Human health at the core

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), 307,000 premature deaths in Europe are caused by exposure to microscopic particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5).

PM2.5 pollution can originate from various sources, including road traffic, coal-fired power plants or industry and increase the risk of health problems such as heart disease, asthma, and low birth weight.

“This slow-motion pandemic is taking a devastating toll on our society, leading to premature deaths and a multitude of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases,” said rapporteur Javi López during the debate in Parliament ahead of the vote.

In addition to PM2.5, other damaging pollutants include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which, according to the EEA, are responsible for 49,000 premature deaths in the EU.

“This is a huge number of lives we cannot afford to lose,” Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said, adding that the Commission’s proposal would significantly decrease premature deaths from air pollution. 

For López, the issue is not only about public health but also about social inequalities. “Those who are socially socioeconomically disadvantaged, the most vulnerable, are always the most exposed to pollution,” he stressed.

A novelty for EU legislation, the new law introduces a right to compensation for people suffering health problems due to air pollution levels above legal limits. Under the Parliament’s report, new access to justice rules will allow citizens to seek justice from their governments when they fail to protect them. 

“Across the EU, citizens are crying out for their governments to protect them from harmful levels of air pollution. It’s great to see the European Parliament giving them the legal tools they need to protect their health better. It’s democracy in action,” said lawyer Emma Budd fromClientEarth, a charity. 

Parliament to vote on groundbreaking EU 'compensation right' against pollution

Environment and health groups are pushing for more robust measures to protect EU citizens’ fundamental right to health and clean air, in a joint letter sent to MEPs on Thursday (6 July). 

Delay

However, lawmakers also voted to delay the EU’s alignment with the WHO’s air quality guidelines by five years until 2035, causing concern among environmental NGOs.

The delay “will have serious implications for the health of all Europeans. It will also affect our economies and will most likely be used as an excuse to postpone the urgent action needed,” said Margherita Tolotto, Policy Manager for Air and Noise at the European Environmental Bureau. 

“While it is a step in the right direction, delaying alignment with the WHO will cost lives because of years of avoidable air pollution,” said Zachary Azdad from Transport & Environment, a clean mobility NGO.

“Today’s vote will do little to accelerate the roll-out of low- and zero-emission zones in Europe, throwing a lifeline to dirty diesel and petrol cars.”

With its position adopted, the Parliament is ready to begin so-called “trilogue” negotiations with EU member states and the European Commission to finalise the law. 

[Edited by Frédéric Simon/Alice Taylor]

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