Brussels, 06/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - At the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Stavros Dimas, European Environment Commissioner outlined the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution he has put forward (but which President Barroso has postponed, see EUROPE 8983). In a statement to MEPs, he highlighted the benefits of a well-designed strategy in terms of public health, the environment and employment.
'The Air Thematic Strategy is the first of seven strategies that represent a new way of making “joined-up” environment policy. It has undergone a lengthy consultation process - in which the Parliament has participated actively and is now ready for adoption. Air pollution causes a wide range of respiratory problems, bronchitis and premature mortality in young and old alike. Currently, some 350,000 premature deaths are linked to air pollution each year. And even with current policies, there will still be over 270,000 premature deaths in 2020 if we do not take further action. There will also remain serious risks for up to one million square kilometres of natural ecosystems. In short, the damage to health and the environment is so big - at least 200 billion euros per annum for health impacts alone - that we must do more. We have examined various ambition levels, making significant improvements in air pollution whilst maximising benefits relative to costs. We should remember that well prepared environmental policies can be an asset for competitiveness and create high-quality jobs. Air pollution has significant negative economic impacts. The health problems caused by bad air quality lead to about 150 million working days lost each year, productivity foregone and significant costs for health care. Agriculture is losing 2.5 billion € annually from the damage that ozone creates. We should also remember that Environment is one area that Europeans consistently support and where they see clear value in Community action. Action in the field of air pollution will have direct benefits for the European citizens. In conclusion, the air strategy should signal a significant improvement in the quality of the air that we breathe. This is something we owe to the European citizens. I look forward to your support for this new stage in EU environment policy and hope to be able to present the final thematic air strategy to Parliament soon, a strategy ambitious but also achievable.'
At a press conference, Monica Frassoni, Co-President of the Greens/EFA at the European Parliament, regretted the European Commission's habit of systematically undermining attempts by Commissioner Dimas to get the thematic strategy adopted. Frassoni said the Greens hoped the Air Strategy would be adopted and that further progress would be made. She criticised the Barroso Commission for focussing solely on costs for industry without considering the costs for health.