On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (recast)
TRAN-AD-742298
Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Vera Tax
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The Committee on Transport and Tourism gives its opinion on the proposed directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (recast). It proposes amendments to strengthen the transport-related parts of the text.¶¶ The amendments require Member States to report air pollution information broken down per mode of transport, and to report measures cutting emissions from road, maritime and air transport through alternative fuels and their infrastructure.¶¶ They add reporting on measures for pollution hotspots including ports, on-shore power for ships at berth, protection of exposed workers, zero-emission zones and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.¶ The opinion also proposes an early warning system, a European Transboundary Coordinator, Commission guidance on air quality indexes, regular independent scientific review, and better access to information, justice and compensation for citizens.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism welcomes the revision of the ambient air quality directives and proposes amendments to strengthen its transport-related elements, including per-mode reporting, alternative fuels, hotspot and port measures, worker protection, an early warning system, a transboundary coordinator and better citizen access to information, justice and compensation.¶¶¶
Key points
- Air pollution is the number one environmental cause of early death in the EU, with approximately 300 000 premature deaths a year; women, children, the elderly, residents in polluted areas and transport workers are particularly impacted.¶
- The transport sector is a main source of air pollution, so shifting to zero-emission technologies, vehicles and fuels is needed to cut transport emissions, notably in urban areas and ports.¶
- The revision merges the two ambient air quality directives into one, aligns EU standards more closely with WHO recommendations, and improves assessment, monitoring, governance, enforcement, penalties, public information, access to justice and compensation.¶¶¶
- Where transport is among the pollution sources, Member States' air quality plans must break down and report information per mode of transport.¶¶
- Member States must report all abatement measures cutting road, maritime and air transport emissions through alternative fuels, alternative fuels infrastructure and economic incentives to speed up their take-up.¶¶
- Member States must report measures to reduce pollution in hotspots including ports, notably on-shore power for ships at berth, measures to protect workers exposed to unhealthy air pollution, and data on zero-emission zones and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.¶¶¶
- Sampling points must work better, especially where pollution is mainly determined by nearby traffic emissions; the Commission should adopt guidance and templates on the content, structure and format of national air quality indexes.¶¶¶
- The Commission should regularly commission an independent review of scientific evidence on air pollutants and their effects, with close involvement of the World Health Organization.¶
- Citizens should have equal opportunities to access air pollution information and data and access to justice as a group or individual, with a framework allowing swift claims for compensation.¶
- An early warning system with modelling tools and stress tests should be set up; where it identifies a problem, the Member State must draft a Preventive Air Plan with preventive measures.¶¶
- A Commission representative should be appointed as European Transboundary Coordinator to oversee and assist transboundary coordination between Member States and with third countries.¶¶¶
- The Commission should consider setting up a Structured Dialogue on transboundary air pollution with neighbouring third countries, and should provide recommendations to Member States on air quality plans and short-term action plans.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Member States, which must report transport-related pollution data, adopt air quality plans and preventive plans, and cooperate on transboundary pollution.¶¶¶
- The transport sector, including road, maritime and air transport, which is a main pollution source and the focus of the proposed amendments.¶
- Transport workers and residents in heavily polluted areas, treated as vulnerable groups and covered by protection measures.¶¶¶
- Ports and port cities, where measures on on-shore power for ships at berth and pollution reduction are required.¶¶¶
- Citizens, who should get hourly air quality indexes, health information, access to justice and compensation.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- Approximately 300 000 persons die prematurely each year due to air pollution.¶
- Registered GDP has grown by approximately 30 percent since the year 2000 while air polluting emissions decreased.¶¶
- The 2005 impact assessment put direct compliance costs at between €5 and €8 billion and monetised health benefits at between €37 to €119 billion per annum in 2020.¶
- The first review of air quality standards should be carried out by 31/12/2028.¶
- Air pollution from maritime transport alone leads to over 50,000 premature deaths annually in the Union.¶
- Air quality plans must be established no later than 1 year after the exceedance was recorded, and the exceedance period kept no longer than 2 years.¶
- The Commission shall adopt guidance and templates on national air quality indexes no later than six months after the entry into force referred to in Article 32.¶
- The minimum number of sampling points may be reduced by up to 50 % under the stated conditions.¶