The European Union agreed on Tuesday to strengthen its air quality standards by 2030 with a view to achieving the "zero pollution" objective in 2050, without however aligning them with the Organization's recommendations. World Health Organization (WHO).
The agreement concluded in the evening between MEPs and negotiators from Member States provides for stricter limits than currently for 2030, for several pollutants: fine particles (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, etc. States will be required to develop detailed roadmaps to achieve this by 2028.
While some 300,000 premature deaths are attributable to air pollution each year in the EU, "this is a major step to ensure a healthier future" by revising "outdated standards, some of which were 15 to 20 years old", commented Social Democratic MEP Javi López, rapporteur of the text.
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For nitrogen dioxide as for fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) – the most harmful because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and blood – the authorized annual limit values will be lowered by more than half in 2030 compared to today, specifies a press release from the European Parliament.
“The standards will be revised again by December 31, 2030, then at least every five years, and more often if new scientific findings allow, such as revised WHO guidelines,” adds- he.
Below international recommendations
But the new objectives set for 2030 remain well below the recommendations of the international organization, updated in 2021.
In their initial mandate in mid-September, MEPs called for strict and binding alignment by 2035 with the WHO guidelines, with member states supporting the less drastic 2030 values proposed by the European Commission.
As part of the Green Deal, this legislation has been the subject of fierce discussions, with a number of states – like EPP (right) MEPs – pleading for less restrictive standards and broad exemptions.
According to the final agreement, states will be able to request that the 2030 deadline be postponed for up to ten years, in case of specific conditions, for example, when the necessary reductions in pollutants can only be achieved by replacing a considerable part of the existing domestic heating systems.
The text also provides for an increase in air quality measurement points and harmonization of indices in the EU so that they are “comparable, clear and accessible to the public”, providing information on pollution peaks. .
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The legislation includes a strengthened right to compensation, particularly in the context of collective actions, for citizens whose health is damaged by violations of air quality standards.