On December 8, 2022, the EU Commission was publishing its first Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report and its third Clean Air Outlook report – together setting pathways to cleaner air, water and soil. The reports show that EU policies have contributed to reducing air pollution as well as pollution from pesticides. However, pollution levels are still too high. In other areas such as harmful noise, nutrient pollution or municipal waste generation, progress has stalled. The results show that overall much stronger action is necessary if the EU is to achieve 2030 pollution reduction targets, by adopting new anti-pollution laws and better implementing existing ones.
The Commission has by now delivered or advanced on all 33 of the announced actions in the Zero Pollution Action Plan of 2021. In order for them to have an impact, the report calls for the swift agreement and adoption of the legislative proposals to reduce harmful pollution, and the improved implementation of the existing ones at local, national and cross-border level.
More information is available in our press release.