The roadmap for the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, a key initiative within the European Green Deal, has been published and is open for comment until 29 October to allow the Commission to improve this initiative, the indicative date for which is the second quarter of 2021.
The communication the Commission will present will aim to address a number of challenges, including the following:
- large numbers of physical and mental illnesses, over 400,000 premature deaths and 48,000 cases of heart disease every year, as well as sleep disturbance caused by pollution;
- biodiversity loss and the sixth species extinction contributed to by air, water and soil pollution;
- the need to address other environmental, social and economic problems and risks for business and citizens related to pollution. The Commission sees the current recovery efforts as an opportunity to increase resilience and social sustainability.
The Action Plan will also address the significant implementation gaps in Member States’ implementation of existing EU law, as pollution from agriculture, households, industry and transport is not effectively tackled at source.
Lastly, it will aim to combat pollution from certain pharmaceutical residues and persistent and toxic chemicals, which is of increasing concern, and to give adequate consideration to pesticides and micro-plastics.
The Action Plan will focus on measures that will lead to stricter compliance with EU rules by public authorities, businesses and citizens.
The communication will examine whether there is a need to improve the health and environment acquis.
The Action Plan will seek improvements to the governance of pollution policies at both European and international level, notably via a monitoring and outlook tool.
It will aim to drive societal change, including through the use of digital solutions and contributions to a sustainable consumption programme that minimises pollution. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)