The European Union has launched an online consultation on Air Pollution - What do you think in preparation for an EU Action Plan to improve air quality in Europe.

The legal framework to protect Europe’s air quality is laid out in the Clean Air For Europe (CAFE) programme and the EU is currently revisiting this legislation. As a basis for future policy initiatives, CAFE brings together information on the likely development of air quality in Europe, taking into account the full effect of all emission control legislation in the pipeline and future economic development. With the involvement of all major European stakeholders CAFE compiles a common knowledge base that will guide the development of future policy proposals to improve air quality in Europe.

It is very important that many people participate in the consultation exercise and tell the Commission that they want an ambitious EU strategy against air pollution. In particular, the most important questions are 7-9, asking about how important you think it is to reduce risks to health and environment. Also crucially important are questions 15 and 16, asking what you would be prepared to do as an individual to reduce air pollution.

The consultation will remain open until 31 January 2005. The results will be published in March 2005. The results will be used to justify the policy choices set out in the new Clean Air for Europe Thematic Strategy which is due to come out in May or June 2005.
 Online consultation
 CAFE programme website