Join this webinar organised by HEAL and EFA and navigate with us through the different air and health information systems.
HEAL is partner in publishing a joint briefing to provide support to the European Commission and EU member states on how to effectively design and implement National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), part of the next EU budget.
As the largest funding instrument in the next EU multiannual financial framework (MFF), these plans play a crucial role in directing investment to prevent the health impacts and cost of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
HEAL has already called on policymakers to increase public investment for disease prevention, climate resilience for health, and pollution prevention and control at national and regional level.
HEAL’s contribution to the joint briefing highlights that investments in energy and climate can improve air quality, protect health and reduce inequalities alongside delivering on climate and energy goals.
Key recommendations outlined in the joint briefing:
- In National Plans, the expected air quality improvements and reductions in people’s exposure should be assessed when prioritising investments and reforms. This would help to maximise health benefits, especially for the most vulnerable groups facing high pollution exposure and socio-economic disadvantages.
- National Plans should link renovation programmes with air quality interventions, including air quality plans and roadmaps, combining energy efficiency with the replacement of polluting domestic heating. Support should prioritise renewable heating, including heat pumps and excluding wood burning, with targeted upfront assistance and accessible advice for vulnerable households. Programme design should safeguard indoor air quality and assess improvements in outdoor air quality alongside energy savings.
- National Plans should describe how member states’ interventions are consistent with clean air obligations from the timely implementation of the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NECD) and the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), detailing financial support for air pollution abatement measures. Public resources should be redirected towards energy efficiency, renewable heating, public transport, and active mobility. Funding criteria should assess regulated air pollutants alongside greenhouse gas emissions and prevent support for investments in pollution.
Further reading: https://www.env-health.org/eu-budget-2028-2034-adequate-funding-for-clean-air-for-health/
Learn more about how the European Regional Development Fund is funding cleaner air under the current EU budget.
Related Posts
