Study on 1.5 pathways concludes that EU can reduce greenhouse gases by at least 65% by 2030. This means a transition to 100% renewable electricity while reducing energy use.
On 25 July, the European Commission sent Bulgaria and Spain to court for repeatedly breaching EU air quality standards and failing to guarantee citizens’ right to clean air.
On 11–13 June, the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) met in Malta, to address negative effects on human health and ecosystems of maritime activities.
Support for a Mediterranean Emission Control Area growing
Italy has declared its support for controlling ship emissions in the Mediterranean, the country’s Minister of Environment Sergio Costa declared at a recent G7 summit held in Metz, France.
Great benefits of cutting ship emissions in the Mediterranean Sea
Implementation of a full Emission Control Area could slash air pollutant emissions by between 77 and 95 per cent and avoid more than 6000 premature deaths every year.
On 6 March 2017 the Catalan government and Barcelona metropolitan, provincial and city administrations agreed to cut pollutant emission levels from traffic, particularly those of NO2, by 10 per cent within five years and by 30 per cent within 15 years.
In a bid to crackdown on air pollution, Madrid’s city government has announced a plan that includes the creation in 2018 of a “zero emissions zone” in the entire city centre open only to residents’ vehicles, taxis and deliveries.
Diesel vehicles will be removed from Paris, Mexico City, Madrid and Athens by 2025, as part of an effort by mayors to improve the quality of air for their citizens.
