Directive (EU) 2024/2881 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (recast)

What it is

PURPOSE: to simplify and consolidate the directives on ambient air quality. PROPOSED ACT: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: clean air is essential to human health and sustaining the environment. Major improvements in air quality have been achieved in the European Union over the past three decades, thanks to joint efforts by the EU and national, regional and local authorities in the Member States to reduce the adverse impacts of air pollution. However, about 300 000 premature deaths per year and a significant number of non-communicable diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular problems and lung cancer are attributed to air pollution. Air pollution continues to be the number one environmental cause of early death in the EU with the worst pollutants being particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Polluted air also harms the environment causing acidification, eutrophication and damage to forests, ecosystems and crops. The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Javi LÓPEZ (S&D, ES) on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (recast). The committee responsible recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading in the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the proposal as follows: The report calls for full alignment of EU limit values with the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 air quality guidelines by 2030. The Directive will set limit values, target values, average exposure reduction obligations, average exposure concentration targets and critical levels, which must be achieved as soon as possible and by 2030 at the latest, then reviewed regularly thereafter. It will also set long-term objectives, information thresholds and alert thresholds, which are part of air quality standards. The Directive should define: (i) ambient air quality monitoring measures, long-term trends and the effects of Union and national measures, as well as measures established in cooperation with third countries , on ambient air quality; (ii) measures to ensure that information on ambient air quality is harmonised throughout the Union and made available to the public; (iii) measures to promote greater cooperation between Member States, regional and local authorities, at national and cross-border level, and with third countries bordering the Union. Members introduced the definition of ‘air quality standards’ as well as the definition of ‘ air pollution hotspots ’ including ports or airports. 'Limit value' is defined as a level which is established on the basis of scientific knowledge, with the aim of avoiding, preventing or reducing harmful effects on human health and/or the environment, and which is to be attained within a given period and not to be exceeded once attained. Members consider it necessary to clearly distinguish between plans that must be adopted before the deadline for compliance and those that must be…

Official title: Directive (EU) 2024/2881 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (recast)