Air pollution is one of Europe’s biggest ‘invisible killers’, causing 403.000 premature deaths in 2012 alone. As well as the terrible suffering that air quality related illnesses cause, there are also tangible economic losses as well: The health-related economic costs of air pollution are estimated at between €330 - €940 billion for the EU annually, which is equivalent to 3 - 9% of the EU’s GDP. Air pollution is an issue that affects all citizens and cyclists of the European Union – it is not constrained by national borders. For this reason, it requires a unified, European response and solution. This is why ECF is working with all of our members to promote greater air quality. 

Given all this, the issue of air quality has long been on the EU agenda, and all though progress has been made, some countries are still trespassing on previous emissions limits. The European Commission has put forward proposals which would help tackle the severity and pervasiveness of air pollution as a public health emergency, and the European Parliament has suggested improvements, as well as, including, importantly, a call for earlier action. These proposals will form the basis for the new EU National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NEC).

Undermining the potential of the NEC, however, the European Council appears to be intent on severely weakening the overall level of ambitions in the Directive – a move that could lead to approximately 16,000 additional deaths, every year. On the 28th April, the Commission, Council and Parliament will meet to discuss the proposals.

The NEC is a unique opportunity to set the EU on track for clean air and save literally thousands of lives of European citizens each year. In order to prevent the Council from reducing the potency of the Directive, the ECF and its members have therefore called upon European Commissioners to support five key priorities that will ensure that the purpose of the Directive is protected: to reduce air pollution and prevent premature deaths.

“Breathing clean air is one of our most fundamental human needs. Every EU citizen has the right to grow up, live and work in an environment which promotes their health rather than threatening it, and the ECF hopes that by gathering support for these priorities, the NEC can help tackle the problem of air quality immediately” said Benedicte Swennen, ECF Policy Officer for Air Quality. “However, the weaker Directive, proposed by the Council, will undermine the efforts and measures taken by many cities to fight pollution.”

As part of supporting clean air for cycling, the ECF is targeting large European cities to sign the open letter to the European Councile. In particular Spanish members ConBici and Italian members FIAB have been working very hard, as Spain and Italy are still undecided on which version of the Directive to support, so Spanish and Italian cities signing the letter could prove decisive in their decision.

Of course, the fight doesn’t stop there! Air pollution is a European issue, and so the ECF is encouraging all members to support the efforts and lobby before the next round of negotiations on 28th April. In particular lobbying cities to sign the agreement shows governments that the support for the stronger NEC is widespread! So, it’s time to get involved and take action!

Call for Action

-Put pressure on governments through national media especially in UK, FR, IT, ES, DE – blame your government for standing in the way of cleaner air! (an example here in French media)

-Mobilize local authorities and cities, telling them about what the government is doing and asking them to do the same (e.g. this petition launched by mayors)

-Write joint letters to your minister ahead of the final trilogue or 20 June Council to urge him/her to move towards the European Parliament. 

-NGO's in the UK to put pressure on UK MEPs in charge of the dossier, in particular Julie Girling, Catherine Bearder and Seb Dance, asking them to stay strong and resist pressure from the Council – they should be receptive. (letter, email, twitter).

For more information, read our briefing paper.

Read our open letter.