Contamination has no borders. Yes ok Contamination comes to the EU through the oceans, rivers, imported wind or goods, the union also generates significant contamination in other parts of the planet through its own production and consumption patterns and their waste.
At the same time, The EU has powerful instruments to contribute to the mitigation efforts of pollution throughout the planet through its policies and funds and its green diplomacyas well as stimulating innovation, with a cleaner production and with a more sustainable consumption of goods and services.
Public, environmental, moral and socioeconomic health reasons for the EU to lead the world’s fight against pollution have more weight today than ever.
It’s time to be ambitiousto respond to the legitimate aspirations of the population that their health, their environment and their subsistence means are protected, and to make peace with our planet.
The ambition of zero pollution is a transversal objective contributing to Agenda 2030 For him United Nations Sustainable Development and complements the Climate neutrality objective for 2050in synergy with the goals of a Clean and circular economy and of Biodiversity recovery.
It is an integral part of numerous initiatives of the European Green Pact and other areas, and The European Commission will continue including the ambition of zero pollution in future strategic initiatives.
The primary objective of the Action Plan is to mark the course for the inclusion of pollution prevention in all EU relevant policiesthe maximization of synergies effectively and proportionate, the intensification of the application and detection of possible lagoons or compensation.
To guide the EU towards the vision by 2050 of a healthy planet for all, this action plan establishes key goals for 2030 aimed at accelerating pollution reduction.
European Agencia de Medio Ambiente (AEMA)
The European Commission and the European Agencia de Medio Ambiente (AEMA) published yesterday the second Report on the monitoring and perspectives of zero pollution, which offers an overview of the work of the UE to fulfill the zero pollution objectives for 2030. The commission has also published its Fourth Report on Perspectives for Clean Air.
Reports show that the policies of the UE They have contributed to reduce air pollution, Use of pesticides and the Plastic garbage at sea.
However, pollution levels are still too high, particularly due to harmful noise, microplastic liberations in the environment, nutrient pollution and waste generation.
According to reports, It is necessary to take much more energetic measures in the UE to achieve its pollution reduction objectives by 2030.
The principles of zero pollution must integrate into all policies and efforts made at all levels to guarantee new advances. In this context, The promotion of the circular economy of the EU It will contribute to reducing the consumption of resources and, therefore, will relieve pressures on ecosystems and human health.
Finally, the measures related to zero pollution, in particular through the Action Plan “Zero pollution”they will support the sustainable transition from the EU economy and make it more competitive.
Advances towards the objectives of 2030, but pollution levels remain too high
Yes ok advances towards Six objectives of “zero pollution” They are still unequal, pollution is decreasing Due to marine waste, pesticides and antimicrobials, according to the report Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook.
Air quality has also improved throughout Europesupported by the evolution of the regulations and the reduction of emissions, which has resulted in a significant decrease in premature deaths. However, the number of deaths caused by contaminated air remains too high.
In addition, current pollution, particularly by ammonia and nitrogen oxides, continues to threaten the ecosystems of the UE. This is reflected in the fourth report on the Clean air prospectswhich emphasizes that, although the emissions of atmospheric pollutants in the UE They continue to decrease, Air quality raises a serious risk to the health and quality of ecosystems in the EU.
Both reports show that more measures are needed to further reduce air pollution
The report on the monitoring and perspectives of zero pollution also considers that Levels of contamination by harmful noises, microplastics, nutrients and waste are still too high.
As for noise pollution, more efforts are required, especially in urban areasto reduce the number of people chronically affected by transport noise.
As for microplastics, more measures are needed to deal with this source of pollution. In addition, nutrient losses have remained virtually unchanged, in particular due to the persistent challenges of agricultural runoff and the use of fertilizers.
As for waste, greater efforts are also necessary, since waste production continues to increase in the UE. The report clearly shows that more measures are needed to achieve the objective of zero contamination of the UE.
Therefore, full application and compliance with the environmental legislation of the UE They are crucial to reach zero pollution objectives for 2030as established in the Action Plan “Zero pollution”.
In the legislative field, the UE has already taken measures with the reviews of the Directive on industrial broadcaststhe Directive on air quality atmosphere, the Directive on him Treatment of urban wastewaterthe Framework Directive on Wastethe Water Framework Directive and the Regulation on Mercury.
The new Regulation on the restoration of nature It will also contribute to further reduce the pressures of Pollution about ecosystems and to increase the general resilience of ecosystems.
To deal with Microplastic pollutionthe European Commission presented in 2023 a proposal of Regulation on the prevention of plastic farza losses in the environment.
Once adopted, it will help to achieve this objective of pollution in the “Zero Contamination” Action Plan.
Zero pollution in the EU
Both reports are accompanied by the first table of zero pollution indicators, which shows the progress made by the regions of the UE and all capitals in the achievement of A cleaner air, water and soil.
The painting compares the regions with each other and with the average UE. The comparison is based on several indicators of environmental pollution that address the health, protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as production and consumption.
The panel stands out 15 regions of Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Sweden, which currently have the lowest pollution levels.
Background
Yesterday’s report on the monitoring and perspectives of zero pollution has been prepared jointly with the European Environment Agency (AEM) and the Common Research Center of the European Commission.
The monitoring and evaluation of the perspectives serve as a periodic semiannual control of the advances of the Member States in the achievement of the zero pollution objectives of the UE.
It will also serve as a basis for future policies designed to support the objective of zero pollution: Reduce pollution to the extent that a risk to human health and the environment from here to 2050 no longer presents.
The report was presented yesterday at the meeting of the Interested parties platform of zero pollution In Brussels.
To achieve a clean and healthy planet, the Action Plan “Zero pollution” It began in 2021 with key objectives to accelerate pollution reduction. Within the framework of Action Plan “Zero pollution”the European Commission It launched nine emblematic initiatives and 33 specific actions to prevent and reduce pollution, including, in particular, the package «Zero pollution» for a cleaner air and water.
Contamination is a significant taxsence to a series of health problems and premature deaths. There are also clear inequalities both in the exposure and in the impacts of pollution.
The citizens of the lowest socioeconomic groups tend to be more exposed to pollution and vulnerable groups, such as children and older people, they are also disproportionately affected.
These deaths and diseases associated with pollution can be greatly prevented by reducing pollution levels in the environment and should be considered as part of future preventive health measures in Europe. Contamination is also one of the five main threats to biodiversity.