The EU’s zero pollution ambition was set out in the European Green Deal to
protect Europe’s citizens and ecosystems. It aims to reduce air, water and
soil pollution to levels that are no longer considered harmful to health
and natural ecosystem.
The European Commission, in cooperation with the European Committee of the
Regions, now set up
Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform
to help achieve the zero pollution ambition.
The Platform's objective is to define a common vision on how to achieve
zero pollution objectives. By bringing together actors from different communities and areas of
expertise, including local and regional authorities, it will tackle
inter-related challenges and strengthen development of a joint environment
and health agenda. It will create co-ownership, promote collaboration,
share good practices on cross-cutting topics and foster integrated
solutions to maximise synergies with decarbonisation and post-COVID 19
recovery efforts.This way, the Platform will help deliver on the flagship initiatives and
actions set out in the
Zero Pollution Action Plan
.
Local and regional authorities have a fundamental role in implementing zero
pollution policies on the ground. Their voices are also vital for the
policy processes. Local communities see closely the impacts of pollution on
people, nature and the economy, and are well placed to bring these concrete
experiences to EU level.
The involvement of local and regional authorities in the activities of the
Platform is thus essential.
The European Committee of the Regions has already been active in the EU
work on zero pollution. Recent opinions on
air
,
water
and
chemicals
, prepared by the
Commission for Environment, Climate change and Energy ENVE)
, bring the views of local and regional communities to the EU level and
feed them into legislative process. Currently, an
opinion on the Zero Pollution Action Plan
is under preparation.
The CoR is also supporting the implementation of zero pollution efforts
within its
Green Deal Going Local
activities and campaign, ensuring that local and regional communities are
fully involved in the zero pollution ambition.
Take action on Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform
Find out more information on:
- actions
: how the 9 flagship initiatives of the zero pollution action plan are
being implemented.
- funding opportunities
: more information about funding opportunities at the European level
- knowledge hub
: Stakeholder Platform will launch a series of “Zero Pollution Talks” and
will share good practices from 2022 onwards.
Stay tuned for further updates!