As EU member states, regional and local authorities prepare to implement the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), this briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) argues that decision-makers and authorities should pay particular attention to addressing socio-economic inequalities in their clean air efforts. The swift transposition and implementation of the new rules, with strengthened administrative collaboration and the full utilisation of financial support schemes, promise significant progress towards cleaner air across Europe. Improved air quality will be beneficial to everyone and contribute to preventing health inequalities for those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
As the Ambient Air Quality Directive revision negotiations are ramping up ahead of the final trilogue tomorrow (20 February) health experts from across the EU, including from France, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy and Spain, have sent letters to their national ministers, warning decision makers about the potential impacts of exemptions and delays.
Read HEAL’s press note here.