The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has released this Thursday for public information the draft royal decree that will regulate the creation of low emission zones (ZBE) in Spanish cities.
Despite the obstacles that have been found in the courts in the first restricted traffic areas in the country, in Madrid and Barcelona, the truth is that the Climate Change Law approved last year obliges the 149 municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants of the country and the insular territories to create zones of this type before 2023. In fact, dozens of municipalities are already working on their design.
In order to start up all these new areas of traffic restriction by cities throughout the country, the legal text that the Government is now presenting with the minimum requirements that must be met by both those that are new and those already established previously, was lacking.
Well, until now there were recommendations, but no specific requirements.
According to the draft royal decree, these low emission zones must reduce air pollution, noise and gases that cause climate change in cities.
In addition, they will have to be reviewed at least every four years to check their effectiveness.
Regarding the size of the ZBE and the exposed population, the text of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition simply stipulates that "they must be significant and sufficient" for the fulfillment of the objectives.
As established in the draft royal decree, these traffic restriction zones will be defined and regulated by local entities in their corresponding sustainable mobility ordinances.
In larger cities, and at least in those with more than 100,000 inhabitants, consideration will be given to designing one or several ZBEs in such a way as to guarantee that the highest possible percentage of the population can benefit from them.
Likewise, the possibility of establishing special protection zones, with additional measures, in environments such as school and hospital areas or nursing homes is envisaged.
These low-emission zones must include measures that promote a change in the way of moving around in cities, according to the following hierarchy established in the text: 1º pedestrians, 2º bicycles, 3º public transport, 4º vehicles with high occupation and shared mobility and 5th, in last place, private motorized cars.
In relation to urban freight transport, the draft royal decree establishes that public administrations must ensure the promotion of zero-emission vehicles, cycle logistics (by bicycle) and environmental optimization solutions for deliveries.
To meet the objectives, it is expected that these urban areas must include prohibitions or restrictions on access, movement and parking of vehicles according to their polluting potential.
For this, the Government text establishes that the classification of zero emission vehicles, ECO, C, B or A (without label), established in Annex II of Royal Decree 2822/1998, must be used.
Likewise, it is expected that access prohibitions or restrictions will affect, as a priority, vehicles with the most polluting potential, such as vehicles A (without a label), and, progressively, vehicles B and C.
With regard to polluting emissions that affect people's health, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or fine particles, the draft royal decree establishes that the objectives defined for each ZBE must lead to an improvement with respect to the starting situation and be in line with the air quality values provided for in Royal Decree 102/2011 on air quality.
However, it is also specified that the ultimate goal is to meet, within a reasonable time, the strictest guidelines on contamination of the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the text presented now for public information, in the event that the air quality values provided for in Royal Decree 102/2011 are exceeded in a ZBE, the objectives adopted must contribute to achieving compliance in the shortest possible time, establishing a calendar and evaluating the impact of the established measures.
With regard to the emissions that cause climate change, it is expected that these traffic restriction zones must have improvement objectives for 2030 consistent with the goals of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) to reduce the weight of the use of private motorized vehicles.
In addition, local entities are obliged to set up a minimum network of recharging points or supply of clean fuels in these areas, in step with the growth of the fleet of electric vehicles, to allow taxis and transport vehicles with drivers to operate. (VTC), as well as delivery vehicles with electric motorization.
Finally, with regard to noise, the text establishes that the low emission zones must also meet the acoustic quality objectives applicable in the areas in which they are located, according to Royal Decree 1367/2007.
"The LEZs will aim to contribute to improving the quality of the air and sound environment of our cities, as well as the health of citizens and the quality of urban life, mitigate climate change and promote more sustainable mobility," he says. the draft royal decree.
To this end, local entities must establish a continuous monitoring and follow-up system in order to assess the effectiveness of the measures adopted.
You can follow CLIMA Y MEDIO AMBIENTE on
and
, or sign up here to receive
our weekly newsletter