logo
Salud por Derecho
Eng
  • Esp
  • Eng
logo
  • ABOUT US
  • WHAT WE DO
  • COLLABORATE
  • NEWS
Imagen destacada
Home Slider
We urge Teresa Ribera to restore 2030 as the deadline for the latest air quality deadline.
17/10/2023 by Salud in Home Slider

A few weeks ago, the new European air quality directive was adopted by the European Parliament. The text approved by the Plenary addresses several of the requirements that European and Spanish civil society have been advocating for to combat air pollution. Initially, the deadline for implementing the measures outlined in the document was set for 2030, as proposed by the European Commission. However, after final negotiations before the vote, the deadline was extended by five years to 2035.

Now, following the parliamentary process, the text requires negotiation among three organisations of the European Union (the Commission, the Parliament, and the Council) before receiving the final approval. The Environment Council of the EU is currently underway, attended by EU ministers. 19 social, health, and environmental organisations have requested that Teresa Ribera, the Minister for Ecological Transition, ensure that the new regulations maintain their ambitions. Furthermore, they have called for the reintroduction of the 2030 date, as initially proposed by the European Commission.

In a letter addressed to Ribera, the organisations emphasise the significance of “achieving the 2030 targets” and emphasise that “every year of delay increases the likelihood of hundreds of thousands of premature deaths from dementia, cancer, asthma, COPD, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions”.

One of the primary concerns for entities during the negotiation period, could be potentially relaxing other measures outlined in the document. Therefore, they request Teresa Ribera’s agreement “to implement the new directive without any flexibility or slackness that would delay or diminish compliance with the regulation”. They are insisting that the approval must be hastened before the European elections in June next year to avert “the premature death of hundreds of thousands of people and safeguard the most vulnerable groups such as children, expectant mothers, senior citizens or those with chronic illnesses who need cleaner and healthier air”.

The European Parliament’s adopted text incorporates air pollution limits that align with the latest scientific studies and WHO recommendations updated in 2021. These limits will be obligatory for all Member States. Additionally, the text aims to provide greater protection for children and other vulnerable populations whilst ensuring better access to information on air quality for citizens. However, the organisations contend that these improvements will not materialise “without implementing plans at various government levels” making necessary alterations to curb environmental pollution levels.

Finally, the entities emphasise in the letter that with 300,000 deaths per year in Europe that could be linked to the low quality of the air we breathe; it is necessary to “prioritise” this issue. They consider this new directive as “one of the most important opportunities to enhance the health and well-being of people living in Europe, but also, this directive will reduce the effects of climate change and secure the sustainability of urban environments.”

Link to the letter

Signatory Entities

Compartir:
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on email
Email
Share on whatsapp
Whatsapp
Salud

Search

Subscribe to Newsletter

Estoy de acuerdo con la Política de privacidad.

LOCATION

Salud por Derecho
Duque Fernán Núñez, 2.
28012 Madrid
saludporderecho@saludporderecho.org

facebook twitter youtube

ABOUT US

About us

What we do

Collaborate

News

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Publications

Press Area

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Estoy de acuerdo con la Política de privacidad.

Compartir:
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on email
Email
Share on whatsapp
Whatsapp
logo
Política de Cookies
Esta web utiliza cookies propias y de terceros para analizar tu navegación y ofrecerte un servicio más personalizado acorde a tus intereses. Continuar navegando implica la aceptación de nuestra Política de Cookies. También hemos actualizado nuestra Política de Privacidad para adecuarnos a la nueva normativa europea, puedes consultarla en la web. Aceptar Rechazar
Política de Cookies

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT