EU takes aim at zero pollution for air, water and soil

Today (12 May), the European Commission adopted its EU Action Plan: ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil – a key deliverable of the European Green Deal’. 

The plan sets an objective of reducing pollution to levels that are no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems, and lays out the steps to get there. The plan ties together all relevant EU policies to tackle and prevent pollution. The Commission will review existing legislation and identify remaining gaps that need to be closed.

European Green Deal Executive Vice President 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.”

“Environmental pollution negatively affects our health, especially the most vulnerable and socially deprived groups, and is also one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss,” said Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius. “The case for the EU to lead the global fight against pollution is today stronger than ever. With the Zero Pollution Action Plan, we will create a healthy living environment for Europeans, contribute to a resilient recovery and boost transition to a clean, circular and climate-neutral economy.”

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, in comparison with the current situation.

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