Europe still fighting against air pollution

High level European policymakers meet on 2-3 June 2005 in Copenhagen, at the new European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC) to examine how much progress has been made since last June when 52 countries agreed to reduce children's exposure to air pollution.

European cities are particularly aware of the pressure on them to reduce traffic-related air pollution since new EU limit values came into force in January 2005 and many cities were found to regularly breach those limits. 'Tackling air pollution, particularly from road vehicles can be very cost effective', says Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency. 'Curbing the use of vehicles delivers many health and environmental benefits ranging from improved children's health, less accidents and noise, and reduced damage to plants, water and buildings.' In Germany, for instance, strategies to reduce emissions of air pollutants from transport-related sources are being explored at the local, regional and national levels. In particular, economic incentives are proposed for diesel cars with filters.

For more information please see the information sheet, programme and related websites:

Information sheet

Programme

http://www.euro.who.int/eprise/main/WHO/Progs/EEHC/meetings/20050421_9

http://www.euro.who.int/eehc

Relevant EEA reports:

Air pollution by ozone in Europe in summer 2003
http://reports.eea.eu.int/topic_report_2003_3/en

Children's health and environment: A review of evidence. A joint report from the European Environment Agency and the WHO Regional Office for Europe
http://reports.eea.eu.int/environmental_issue_report_2002_29/en

Impacts on Europe's changing climate
http://reports.eea.eu.int/climate_report_2_2004/en

Late lessons from early warnings: the precautionary principle 1896-2000
http://reports.eea.eu.int/environmental_issue_report_2001_22/en

Mapping the impacts of recent natural disasters and technological accidents in Europe
http://reports.eea.eu.int/environmental_issue_report_2004_35/en

Greenhouse gas emissions trends and projections in Europe 2005
http://reports.eea.eu.int/report_2002_1205_091750/en

Arctic environment: European perspectives
http://reports.eea.eu.int/environmental_issue_report_2004_38/en

EEA signals 2004
http://reports.eea.eu.int/signals-2004/en

Air pollution and climate change policies in Europe: exploring linkages and the added value of an integrated approach
http://reports.eea.eu.int/technical_report_2004_5/en

Children in their environment: vulnerable, valuable and at risk
http://reports.eea.eu.int/CITE01/en

Check more EEA reports on human health issues at:
http://themes.eea.eu.int/Environmental_issues/human/reports