The European Commission (EU) adopted the EU Action Plan: “Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil” – a key deliverable of the European Green Deal and the main topic of this year’s EU Green Week. It sets out an integrated vision for 2050: a world where pollution is reduced to levels that are no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems, as well as the steps to get there.
The plan ties together all relevant EU policies to tackle and prevent pollution, emphasising how to use digital solutions to tackle pollution. Reviews of applicable EU legislation are foreseen to identify remaining gaps in EU legislation and where better implementation is necessary to meet these legal obligations.
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 the 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.”
To steer the EU towards the 2050 goal of a healthy planet for healthy people, the Action Plan sets key 2030 targets to reduce pollution at source compared to the current situation.
Jointly with the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability adopted last year, the action plan translates the EU’s zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment into action. It goes hand in hand with the EU’s goals for climate neutrality, health, biodiversity and resource efficiency. It builds on initiatives in energy, industry, mobility, food, circular economy, and agriculture.
This year’s EU Green Week, the biggest annual event on environment policy, on 1 – 4 June will allow citizens across the EU to discuss zero pollution from its many angles at the leading Brussels conference, online and in more than 600 partner events.
In addition, the Commission has announced some overarching targets for reducing nutrient losses and pesticides in the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies to help achieve our biodiversity goals. — @green
