EU to set strategy for improving air quality beyond 2020

The EU is to set a long-term strategy for improving European air quality to 2020 and beyond. The revised National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) will bring EU legislation into line with the Gothenburg Protocol through the inclusion of new limits for 2020 and further reduction measures to 2030.

 

EU Environment Commissioner, Janez Potocnik said that the new policy package will “create a roadmap for how we can live together, become healthier and protect our most fragile ecosystems better”.

 

Mr Potocnik also confirmed that existing air quality standards will not be revised immediately as the focus will initially be on compliance with the existing standards – a revision will be considered “once the NECD has set overall air pollution on the right downwards track”. The new policy package will also include measures to reduce pollution from medium scale combustion installations.

 

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