EP adopts report on the Strategy on Air Pollution

Publication date: 26 September 2006

Parliament adopted an own-initiative report by Dorette Corbey on the Community thematic strategy for air pollution COM(2005) 446) with 563 votes in favour, 19 against and 47 abstentions.  It calls for more ambitious targets for reducing concentration levels of nitrogen oxides (Nox), volatile organic compounds and fine particles (PM2.5).

report_final_corbey_air_pollution.pdf (196 KB)
 

MEPs also want to see more focus on the sources of pollution, including agriculture and shipping.  As with the directive, this report calls for stricter limit values while envisaging longer deadlines for Member States which have taken all possible steps but still have difficulty meeting the limits.
 

The goal of the thematic strategy unveiled by the Commission in September 2005 is to reduce by around 40% by 2020 - compared to 2000 - the number of premature deaths caused by ailments linked to air pollution.  According to rapporteur Dorette Corbey, some 48,000 premature deaths are attributable to fine particles in the EU and 20,000 to ozone pollution.  A total of 30 million Europeans suffer from asthma.

Related News Items:
- ENV Committee on CAFÉ and Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution (21 June 2006)
- Commission proposes Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution (21 September 2005)