The coherence of EU environmental policy with other sectoral policies and solutions adapted to suit countries’ specific situations are of crucial importance if all member states are to meet European standards on air quality: that was the view expressed by European environment ministers at their informal meeting in Sofia which ended on Wednesday 11 April.
Their meeting was largely devoted to discussions on definite, feasible solutions on improving air quality and better enforcing EU environmental rules which are infringed by many member states. Ministers also discussed preparations taking place for COP24 in Katowice where, in December of this year, the rules for implementing the Paris Agreement are due to be finalised, and expressed the wish that the EU play a leading role in ensuring the success of the conference.
“We know that two thirds of member states are having difficulties with air quality. Our debate was very constructive and allowed us to see the problems facing the various countries. Poor air quality is not just an environmental matter, it is also economic, social, demographic and geographic”, stated Bulgarian Environment and Water Minister Neno Dimov, who chaired the meeting.
In Cyprus, for example, the main problem is desert sand storms, which are not an issue for Sweden, he stated to illustrate that, even though the standards are the same for all, “cut-and-paste solutions are not possible”.
To ensure better application of EU legislation, ministers called for greater coherence between environment, energy and transport policies. Ministers united around the vision of a clearer and more easily applied legislation, without excessive regulation and administrative burden, with both functioning reporting, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and improved coordination between the different levels of governance (national, regional and local).
Infringement procedures on 26 April. “I encouraged ministers to work closely with their national counterparts responsible for energy, transport and agriculture – to name but a few. But also across borders. I invited them to remain ambitious in the ongoing negotiations on key legislative initiatives – clean vehicles, CO2 emissions from cars, and road charging. But I have also made it clear that far too many areas in Europe still face unacceptable exceedances of air quality standards”, stated Commissioner Karmenu Vella, far from happy with the situation.
On 26 April, the Commission decisions are expected on the procedures against some of the nine member states challenged for persistently exceeding European standards (see EUROPE 11992 and 11982). A communication on air quality may also be presented on that date, according to a European source.
Preparations for international climate negotiations. Ministers’ discussions were informed by a document prepared by the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU on European expectations and challenges for COP24 and on the guarantees of success and effectiveness of the political phase of the Talanoa Dialogue that seeks to raise the level of ambition post-COP24 and between now and 2020. Ministers also highlighted the need for the EU to force a progressive alliance to bring about robust rules for implementing the Paris Agreement (the “Paris rulebook”). Mauro Petriccione, Director General of Climate Action at the European Commission, assured ministers that the Commission would “do all in its power to present its vision, long before the first quarter of 2019, for the long-term EU strategy”, called for by EU leaders at the European Council in March. He also stressed the importance of the EU’s “speaking with a single voice” throughout the Talanoa Dialogue, a potentially divisive issue when it comes time to discuss matching the contributions tabled and global ambition. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)