12 Amendments of Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN related to 2022/0347(COD)
Amendment 200 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The Zero Pollution Action Plan also sets out a vision for the year 2050, where air pollution is reduced to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems. To this end, a stagedn ambitious approach towards setting current and future EU air quality standards should be pursued, establishing intermediate air quality standards for the year 2030 and beyond, and developing a perspective for alignment with the WHO Air Quality Guidelines by the year 2050 at the latest based on a regular review mechanism to take into account the latest scientific understanding. Given the links between pollution reduction and decarbonisation, the long- term objective to achieve the zero pollution ambition should be pursued hand in hand with reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as set by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council42. _________________ 42 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1–17).
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In taking the relevant measures at Union and national level to achieve the zero pollution objective for air pollution, Member States, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission should be guided by the ‘precautionary principle’ and the ‘polluter pays principle’ established in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and the ‘do no harm’ principle of the European Green Deal. They should, inter alia, take into account: the contribution of improved air quality to public health, the quality of the environment, the well-being of citizens, the prosperity of society, employment and the competitiveness of the economy; the energy transition, strengthened energy security and the tackling of energy poverty; food security and affordability; the development of sustainable and smart mobility and transport solutions; the impact of behavioural changes; fairness and solidarity across and within Member States, in light of their economic capability, national circumstances, such as the specificities of islands, and the need for convergence over time; the need to make the transition just and socially fair through appropriate education and training programmes, including the training of healthcare professionals; best available and most recent scientific evidence, in particular the findings reported by the WHO; the need to integrate air pollution related risks into investment and planning decisions; cost- effectiveness and technological neutrality in achieving air pollutant emission reductions; and progression over time in environmental integrity and level of ambition.
Amendment 235 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In order to protect human health and the environment as a whole, it is particularly important to combat emissions of pollutants at source and to identify and implement the most effective emission reduction measures at local, national and Union level , in particular when it comes to emissions from agriculture, industries, transport and energy generation . Therefore, emissions of harmful air pollutants should be avoided, prevented or reduced and appropriate standards set for ambient air quality taking into account relevant World Health Organization standards, guidelines and programmes. Measures taken to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful air pollutants should regard both short-term and long-term air quality.
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Scientific evidence shows that sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, lead, benzene, carbon monoxide, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ozone are responsible for significant negative impacts on human health . Impact on human health and the environment occurs via concentrations in ambient air . In severe cases, air pollution can even amount to ecocide. Releasing these damaging substances also poses a threat of a serious violation against human rights. Therefore, Member States that fail to reduce the amount of harmful substances in the air, are also failing in their responsibility to protect their citizens.
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The Fitness Check of the Ambient Air Quality Directives (Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC)45has shown that limit values are more effective in bringing down pollutant concentrations than target values. With the aim of minimising harmful effects on human health, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups and sensitive populations, and the environment limit values should be set for the concentration of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, lead, benzene, carbon monoxide, arsenic, cadmium, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air . To ensure effective protection against harmful effects on ecosystems and biodiversity, those limit values should be regularly updated in light of the most recent recommendations by the WHO.Benzo(a)pyrene should be used as a marker for the carcinogenic risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air. _________________ 45 Fitness check of the Ambient Air Quality Directives of 28 November 2019 (SWD(2019) 427 final).
Amendment 284 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34 a (new)
Recital 34 a (new)
(34 a) This Directive encourages Member States to promote the use of existing innovative solutions and technologies to reduce air pollution levels in the short and long term.
Amendment 285 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34 b (new)
Recital 34 b (new)
(34 b) While indoor air quality is as important as outdoor air quality for human health and well-being, the Commission should propose legislation on indoor air quality as soon as possible, and by 2025 at the latest.
Amendment 303 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Directive sets out a zero pollution objective for air quality, so that within the Union air quality is progressiveurgently improved to levels no longer considered harmful to human health and natural ecosystems, as defined by scientific evidence, thus contributing to a toxic-free environment at the latest by 2050.
Amendment 308 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Directive sets intermediate limit values, target values, average exposure reduction obligations, average exposure concentration objectives, critical levels, information thresholds, alert thresholds and long-term objectives (‘air quality standards’) to be met as soon as possible and at the latest by the year 2030, and regularly reviewed thereafter in accordance with Article 3.
Amendment 484 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 662 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Air quality information has to be accessible, transparent, real-time and include health-related messaging targeted also at vulnerable groups.
Amendment 941 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point e
Annex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point e
(e) measures to encourage a shift towards less polluting forms of transportmodal shift from private vehicles towards active mobility and less polluting forms of transport (e.g. walking, cycling, public transport), including at least: (i) strengthening the public transport network; (ii) reducing the cost of public transport or eliminating it altogether for at least certain sectors of the population; (iii) improving the infrastructure to create more space for people to walk and cycle safely; (iv) economic incentives for the purchase of active and shared mobility solutions (e.g. bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters); (v) scrappage schemes for the most polluting vehicles;