European Commission aims for zero pollution
The EU Action Plan: ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’ has been adopted by the European Commission.
The new plan is a key part of the EU Green Deal and the primary focus of this year’s EU Green Week, which is the EU’s largest annual event on environmental policy, in June.
The strategy shares a vision for 2050 and combines EU policies to tackle and prevent pollution through digital solutions.
Speaking about the Action Plan, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, said: “The Green Deal aims to build a healthy planet for all. To provide a toxic-free environment for people and planet, we have to act now. This plan will guide our work to get there. New green technologies already here can help reduce pollution and offer new business opportunities. Europe's efforts to build back a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable economy must likewise contribute to achieving the zero-pollution ambition.”
The plan sets targets for 2030 to reduce pollution by:
- improving air quality
- reducing waste in water
- stopping air pollution that threatens biodiversity
- reducing noise pollution
- reducing waste
It goes hand in hand with the EU's goals for climate neutrality, health, biodiversity and resource efficiency, and builds on current energy, industry, mobility, food, circular economy, and agriculture initiatives. It also builds on the EU Chemicals Strategy.
Read the full press release here.
