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Blog 13 April 2023

The fight for better air quality in the EU

Despite significant progress in recent years, over 90% of the EU’s population is still exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. Green Big Deal’s latest podcast episode explores what can be done to catalyse action and amplify the voices of those affected.

Over 90% of the EU’s urban population is still exposed to air pollution levels exceeding WHO guidelines. The European Commission proposed major revisions to its air quality standards – including the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive – in October 2022. The changes are part of the EU’s zero pollution vision for 2050 to reduce air, water and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystem.

The European Commission proposed major revisions to its air quality standards in October 2022. Despite this, air pollution levels remain high and continue to pose significant risks to vulnerable groups, such as small children and the elderly.

In their latest episode, hosts of Green Big Deal’s podcast talked to Margherita Tolotto, Senior Policy Officer for Air and Noise at the European Environmental Bureau, and Agnieszka Warso-Buchanan, Senior Lawyer in ClientEarth, about the EU’s air pollution problem. The episode explored the role of lawsuits in catalysing action, current efforts to align laws with the science, and what citizens can do to get their voices heard.

See more

School streets with less traffic: safer and healthier for children

Air quality matters from the very beginning of life. The “School Streets” project is combining a tailored approach with systemic measures to reduce traffic-related air pollution for children in Warsaw.

Air pollution and talent retention: A Sofia case study

A new report from Deloitte, commissioned by the Clean Air Fund, reveals air pollution impacts the productivity, absenteeism and employee retention of highly-skilled workers in Sofia, Bulgaria.