Did you Know?
The European Union (EU), in pursuit of sustainable transportation in Europe, is developing a policy [COM 2017/676 final] for implementing mandatory emission targets for new and improved cars in EU Member States.
EDC News: Sustainable Quality of Life through Emission Reduction
The European Union continually strives to meet the needs and improve the quality of life for its citizens. In-line with this, it has created a Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) with the aim of identifying key challenges and developing actions for achieving a continuous long-term improvement of quality of life. One action focuses on sustainable transportation as statistics have proven that almost a quarter of greenhouse emissions in Europe is attributable to transportation. The objective of this action is to minimise vehicle pollution in order to diminish its effects on human health and the environment. To aid this objective, the European Commission established the EU Vehicle Type Approval Framework (Directive 2007/46; Consolidated 2018) which ensures, through national authorities, that vehicles meet EU safety requirements before they are sold in Member States. The European Commission has further developed other legislations and policies to facilitate this course:
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Improved Real Driving Emissions (RDE) legislation (Regulation 2017/1154; EC draft amendment) focuses on the reduction of road emissions, produced by light passenger and commercial vehicles, through the implementation of strategies aimed at controlling emission levels.
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Ambient Air Quality Framework Directive (DIR 1996/62) & daughter directive (DIR 2008/50) are targeted towards creating an environmentally friendly Europe through the implementation of control measures aimed at reducing air pollutants resulting from emissions.
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Clean Air Policy Package (COM 2013/0918 final; 2014/C 415/06) focuses on reducing the impact of pollution on health and the environment. It consists of legislative prepositions setting out directions necessary for the reduction of major air pollutants in Europe.
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The European Commission, in 2013, proposed an alternative fuel strategy, aimed at facilitating the use of clean forms of power, such as, electricity, natural gas, hydrogen and biofuels for transportation purposes in the EU. This led to the implementation of a directive (DIR 2014/94) creating a common framework of measures for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in the EU in order to minimise dependence on oil and to mitigate the environmental impact of transport.
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Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles (DIR 2009/33; related documents) is a procurement instrument giving guidelines to public bodies on what factors they have to consider before purchasing vehicles.
For more information:
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Thematic Strategy on air pollution (COM 2005/0446 final)
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Infographic for air pollution (effects, sources, origins and actions to reduce it), Directorate General of Environment
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Review of the EU Air policy, Directorate General of Environment
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European Environment Agency Report on Air Quality in Europe 2015, 2016 & 2017
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Summary of progress made towards reducing major air pollutants in Europe (policy context and targets, statistics by sector), European Environment Agency
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National Emission Ceilings (NEC) directive (DIR 2016/2284), on certain atmospheric pollutants, description and related documents, European Environment Agency (EEA)
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The Gothenburg Protocol amends the 1999 protocol to abate acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone and sets out new national emission reduction commitments, Council of the European Union
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Ambient air quality standards, air quality zones within Member States and operative legislations, Directorate General of Environment
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Evaluation and Fitness check of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives, European Commission
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Implementation of ambient air quality legislation (methods, understanding the problem and ensuring quality of assessment information), Directorate General of Environment
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Study on the Implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directive, Directorate-General for Internal Policies
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Alternative fuels for sustainable mobility in Europe, Directorate General Mobility and Transport
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Related legislation and other legal documents:
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European Parliament and the Council Decision on the review of the European Community programme on policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development (Decision 2179/98/EC)
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The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Opinion on the Proposal focusing on Member States efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the EU reduction commitments by 2020 (2009/C 27/16)
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European Parliament and the Council’s Decision on the effort of Member States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the EU reduction commitments up to 2020 (Decision 406/2009/EC)
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European Parliament and the Council on the promotion of clean and energy efficient road transport vehicles (DIR 2009/33/EC)
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Commission Regulation 2016/427 amending Regulation 2008/692 as regards emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles
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Statistics
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Press Releases
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