Activities of Róża THUN UND HOHENSTEIN related to 2022/0347(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (debate)
Amendments (46)
Amendment 195 #
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 fully alignmented with the WHO Air Quality Guidelines by the year 2050 at the latest based on a regular review mechanism to take into accountrecommendations and the latest scientific understandingevidence. 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 202 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) The World Health Organization (WHO) released new Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) in September 2021, based on a comprehensive synthesis of the scientific evidence on health effects of air pollution. The conclusions are bold and stress the importance of lowering air pollution concentrations at every level. The benefits are clear: lowering air pollution levels will lead to enormous improvements in public health for people of all ages breathing cleaner air.
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4 b) Pursuant to Article 191(2), second sentence, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), Union policy on the environment is to be based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action is to be taken, that environmental damage is, as a priority, to be rectified at source and that the polluter is to pay.
Amendment 208 #
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 therefore 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, factors that make people vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution, 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; 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 221 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The Commission review should be complemented by an independent review of the scientific evidence by the WHO on a regular basis. For this purpose, the Commission together with the WHO should form a standing committee which will meet at least once every year to discuss progress towards the first review by 31/12/2028. Reviews should be conducted at least every 5 years thereafter.
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) It is important that pollutants of emerging concern, such as ultrafine particles, black carbon and elemental carbon, as well as ammonia, mercury and the oxidative potential of particulate matter, be monitored in order to support scientific understanding of their effects on health and the environment, as recommended by the WHO.
Amendment 232 #
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, heating and energy generation . Therefore, emissions of harmful air pollutants should be avoided, prevented or reduced at source and appropriate standards set for ambient air quality taking into account relevathe latest scientific evidence as published in the most recent World Health Organization standards, gAir Quality Guidelines, and programmestaking into account progress made by the independent review mentioned in Article 7 of this Directive.
Amendment 238 #
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 an array of adverse health effects in humans that can lead to premature death. These pollutants damage most organ systems and are linked to many debilitating diseases, such as childhood and adult-onset asthma, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, impaired cognitive development, and dementia. Although everyone is affected by poor air quality, certain groups are especially sensitive and vulnerable and more likely to experience adverse health effects, such as those with specific pre-existing health conditions (e.g. respiratory or cardiovascular diseases), pregnant women, newborns, children, the elderly, people living in poverty, people living with disabilities or people with inadequate access to medical care.
Amendment 243 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The average exposure of the population to the pollutants with the highest documented impact on human health, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), should be reduced based on WHOcontinuously until all monitoring stations in the respective NUTS 2 region are in compliance with the latest WHO scientific review recommendations. To this end, an average exposure reduction obligation should be introduced for these pollutants, in addition to limit values.
Amendment 250 #
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, ozone,carbon monoxide, arsenic, cadmium, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air . 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 260 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) ABoth an alert and an information threshold for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and ozone, and an information threshold for ozone, should be set for the protection of the general population , vulnerable and sensitive sections, respectively, from brief exposures to elevated ozone concentrations. Those thresholds should trigger the dissemination of information to the public on the risks of exposure and the implementation, if appropriate, of short- term measures to reduce pollution levels where the alert threshold is exceeded.
Amendment 263 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) Air quality status should be maintained where it is already good, or improved. Where the standards for ambient air quality laid down in this Directive are at risk of not being met, or have not been met, Member States should take immediate action in order to comply with the limit values , average exposure reduction obligations and critical levels, and where possible, to attain the ozone target values and long-term objectives.
Amendment 281 #
(34) Member States should cooperate with one another if, following significant pollution originating in another Member State, the level of a pollutant exceeds, or is likely to exceed, any limit value, ozone target value, average exposure reduction obligation or alert threshold. The transboundary nature of specific pollutants, such as ozone and particulate matter, mayshould require rapid coordination between neighbouring Member States in drawing up and implementing air quality plans and short- term action plans and in informing the public as soon as possible. Where appropriate, Member States should pursue cooperation with third countries, with particular emphasis on the early involvement of candidate countries. The Commission should be timely informed of and invited to assist in any such cooperation.
Amendment 304 #
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 20530.
Amendment 310 #
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 339 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The Commission's review shall be complemented by an independent review carried out by the WHO. For this purpose, the Commission and the WHO should form a standing committee which will meet at least once every year to discuss progress towards the first review by 31 December 2028. Reviews shall be conducted at least every 5 years thereafter. Both reviews shall be publicly available.
Amendment 340 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The review shall assess whether applicable levels of legally binding limit values and other air quality standards are still appropriate to achieve the objective of avoiding, preventing or reducing harmful effects on human health and the environment and whether additional air pollutants should be covered.
Amendment 342 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
In order to achieve the objectives set in Article 1, the review shall assess whether this Directive needs to be revised through the introduction of more stringent air quality standards with a view to ensuring full alignment with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines and the latest scientific information.
Amendment 352 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point a
(a) latest scientific information from WHO and other relevant organisations, on health and environmental effects, health inequalities, direct and indirect healthcare costs associated with air pollution, and environmental costs due to damage to the ecosystems. When commissioning review tasks to WHO, it should be specified that the WHO review should integrate evidence from different scientific disciplines, including exposure assessment, epidemiology, human experimental exposures, toxicology, exposure science, atmospheric chemistry and physics, and ecology.
Amendment 358 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point b
(b) behavioural, fiscal and technological developments impacting air quality and its assessment,
Amendment 362 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point c
(c) air quality situations and associated impacts on human health and the environment in Member States, and the introduction by Member States of more stringent air quality standards, in accordance with Article 193 TFEU,
Amendment 384 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. .Where the Commission considers it appropriate, as a result of the review, it shall present a proposal to revise air quality standards or to cover other air pollutants within one year of the publication of the WHO review.
Amendment 385 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. When reviewing the current Directive, the Commission shall assess the possibility of converting it into a Regulation.
Amendment 412 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 39
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 39
(39) ‘sensitive population and vulnerable groups’ means those population groups that are permanently or temporarily more sensitive or more vulnerable to air pollution exposure than the average population, because they have a higher sensitivity or a lower threshold for health effects or have a reduced ability to protect themselves.
Amendment 442 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The location of sampling points shall be representative of the exposure of at risk communities and of the exposure of one or more sensitive or vulnerable groups.
Amendment 470 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. In zones where the levels of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter ( PM10 and PM2.5), lead, ozone, benzene, carbon monoxide , arsenic, cadmium, nickel and benzo(a)pyrene in ambient air are below the respective limit values specified in Section 1 of Annex I , Member States shall maintain the levels of those pollutants below the limit values .
Amendment 471 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. In areas which are already in compliance with the limit values, Member States should continue to strive for a further reduction in the average exposure of the population. The impact of poor air quality on the most sensitive groups should be taken into consideration.
Amendment 539 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the air quality plan referred in point (a) is supplemented by the information listed in Point B of Annex VIIIrelated to the pollutants concerned and demonstrates how exceedance periods above the limit values will be kept as short as possible and before the new deadline for compliance;
Amendment 621 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 19 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Article 19 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
When preparing air quality plans, Member States shall ensure that stakeholders whose activities contribute to the exceedance situation are encouraged to propose measures they are able to take to help end the exceedances and that non- governmental organisations, such as environmental organisations, consumer organisations, organisations representing the interests of sensitive population and vulnerable groups, other relevant health- care bodies, in particular healthcare professionals, and the relevant industrial federations are allowed to take part in those consultations.
Amendment 629 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
However, where there is a risk that the alert threshold for ozone will be exceeded, Member States may refrain from drawing up such short-term action plans when there is no significant potential, taking into account national geographical, meteorological and economic conditions, to reduce the risk, duration or severity of such an exceedance.
Amendment 630 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
In order to inform citizens about poor air quality and its effects, competent authorities should require the permanent display of easily understandable information on symptoms associated with air pollution peaks and on behaviour to reduce exposure to air pollution in the vicinity of communities of sensitive and vulnerable groups.
Amendment 665 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall establish an air quality index covering sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and ozone, and make it available through a public source providing an hourly update based on a Union- wide framework that will ensure harmonised information across the Union. The air quality index shall be made available through a public source providing an hourly update and accompanied with easy-to-read health information, including information tailored to sensitive population and vulnerable groups. The air quality index shall consider the recommendations by the WHO and build on the air quality indices at European scale provided by the European Environmental Agency.
Amendment 689 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Member States shall ensure that, in accordance with their national legal system, members of the public concerned have access to a review procedure before a court of law, or another independent and impartial body established by law, to challenge the substantive or procedural legality of all decisions, acts or omissions concerningtaken by the Member State to achieve compliance with this Directive, including – but not limited to – those concerning the classification of zones under Article 7, the network design, location and relocation of sampling points under Article 9, air quality plans referred to in Article 19, and short term action plans referred to in Article 20, of the Member State, provided that any of the following conditions is met:
Amendment 708 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
The interest of any natural person affected or likely to be affected by exceedances of air quality standards, or having an interest in the decision-making procedures related to the implementation of the obligations under this Directive, and any non-governmental organisation which is a member of the public concerned shall be deemed sufficient for the purposes of the first paragraph, point (a). Such natural person and organisations shall also be deemed to have rights capable of being impaired for the purposes of the first paragraph, point (b).
Amendment 713 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2
2. To have standing to participate in the review procedure shall not be conditional on the role that the member of the public concerned played during a participatory phase of the decision-making procedures related to Article 19 or 20under this Directive.
Amendment 776 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Section 1 – table 1
Annex I – Section 1 – table 1
Amendment 788 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Section 4 – point A– table
Annex I – Section 4 – point A– table
Amendment 806 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – Section 1 – table
Annex II – Section 1 – table
Amendment 814 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – table 1
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – table 1
Minimum number of sampling points if concentrations exceed the assessment threshold Population NO2, SO2, Sum PM (1) Minimum Minimum Pb, Cd, Pb, Benzo(a)pyrene of zone CO, benzene (1) PM10 PM2.5 As, Ni Cd, in PM10 (thousands) in As, Ni in PM10 0 - 249 2 4 4 2 2 2 1 1 250 - 499 2 4 4 2 2 2 1 1 1 500 - 749 2 4 4 2 2 1 1 1 750 - 999 3 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 1 000 - 1 4 6 6 2 2 2 2 2 499499 1 500 - 1 5 7 3 3 2 2 2 999 2 000 - 2 6 8 3 3 2 3 7493 749 2 750 - 3 7 10 4 4 2 3 7493 749 3 750 - 4 8 11 4 4 3 4 7494 749 4 750 - 5 9 13 5 5 4 5 9995 999 6 000+ 10 15 5 5 5 5 (1) The number of PM2.5 and NO2 sampling points in the urban background locations of urban areas and air quality hotspots shall meet the requirements set out in Point B.
Amendment 817 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – table 3
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – table 3
Population of Minimum number of sampling points if the number of sampling points is zone reduced by up to 50% (thousands) NO2, Sum PM Minimum Minimum Pb, Cd, Benzo(a)p SO2, (1) PM10 PM2.5 As, Ni in yrene in CO, PM10 PM10 benzene 0 - 249 1 2 1 1 1 1 250 - 499 1 2 1 1 1 1 500 - 749 1 2 1 1 1 1 750 - 999 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 000 - 1 499 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 500 - 1 999 3 4 2 2 1 1 2 000 - 2 749 3 4 2 2 1 2 2 750 - 3 749 4 5 2 2 1 2 3 750 - 4 749 4 6 2 2 2 2 4 750 - 5 999 5 7 3 3 2 3 6 000+ 5 8 3 3 3 3 (1) The number of PM2.5 and NO2 sampling points in the urban background locations of urban areas and air quality hotspots shall meet the requirements set out in Point B.
Amendment 836 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex IV – Part B – point 2 – point a – point ii a (new)
Annex IV – Part B – point 2 – point a – point ii a (new)
(iia) concentration levels in the residential areas of at-risk communities or where there are anticipated effects from sources in the area (for example: a major port, residential heating or industrial area).
Amendment 866 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex V – Part A – point 1 – table
Annex V – Part A – point 1 – table
Air pollutant Maximum uncertainty of Maximum uncertainty of Maximum fixed measurements indicative measurements (1) ratio of uncertainty of modelling and objective estimation over uncertainty of fixed fixed measurement s s Absolute Relative Absolute Relative value Maximum value value value ratio PM2.5 3,01,25 μg/ m3 3025 % 42,0 μg/ m3 40 % 1,7 PM10 43,0 μg/ m3 20 % 6,04,5 μg/ m3 30 % 1,3 NO2 / NOx 6,01,5 μg/ m3 3015 % 8,02,5 μg/ m3 430 % 1,4 Benzene 0,750456 μg/ m3 25 % 1,20,05 μg/ m3 35 % 1,7 Lead 0,120375 μg/ m3 25 % 0,170,045 μg/ m3 35 % 1,7 Arsenic 2,40,26 ng/ m3 40 % 3,00,33 ng/ m3 50 % 1,1 Cadmium 21,0 ng/ m3 40 % 1,2,5 ng/ m3 50 % 1,1 Nickel 81,0 ng/ m3 40 % 10,0,25 ng/ m3 50 % 1,1 Benzo(a)pyre 0,5 ng m 3 0,06 ng m3 50 % 0,6072 ng/ m3 60 % 1,1 ne (1) When using indicative measurements for other purposes other than compliance assessment, such as, but not only: design or review of the monitoring network, model calibration and validation, the uncertainty may be that established for modelling applications.
Amendment 868 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex V – Part A – point 2 – table
Annex V – Part A – point 2 – table
Amendment 931 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point d
Annex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point d
(d) measures to limit transport emissions through traffic planning and management (including congestion pricing, differentiated parking fees or other economic incentives; establishing urban vehicles access restrictions schemes, including at least low emission zones); in line with the most recent Euro standard and zero-emission zones; establishing low traffic neighbourhoods; introducing speed limits of 30 km per hour;
Amendment 940 #
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 transport, (such as walking, cycling, public transport), including at least: (i) strengthening the public transport network; (ii) reducing or eliminating the cost of public transport (e.g., for residents, students, etc.); (iii) improving the infrastructure to create more space for people to walk and cycle safely; (iv) prioritising walking and cycling in new infrastructure planning and measures; (v) economic incentives for the purchase of active and shared mobility solutions (e.g. bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters);
Amendment 962 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point i
Annex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point i
(i) measures to protect the health of children or other sensitive population groups. , such as school streets with limited or no access for cars, to protect the health of children and measures to protect the health of other sensitive population groups, including pregnant people and people living with asthma or other respiratory or cardio- vascular conditions