New EEA and EC reports on zero pollution monitoring

This week, the European Commission published its first Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report setting pathways to cleaner air, water and soil. The Commission report, together with the European Environment Agency's monitoring assessment, shows that EU policies have contributed to reducing air pollution as well as pollution from pesticides. However, in other areas such as … Continue reading New EEA and EC reports on zero pollution monitoring →

EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation

As part of a major reform of the EU’s anti-pollution legislation, the European Commission said it planned to tighten air quality standards, including on one of the most dangerous pollutants, fine particulate matter. Jennifer Rankin discusses latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. EU plans tighter controls on pollution as doctors call … Continue reading EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation →

Blog from Jane Marsh: How does renewable energy impact air pollution?

Clean, renewable energy is one of the top ways to reduce the carbon emissions entering the air and causing climate change. Switching from fossil fuels to solar and wind power can decrease pollution and prevent further damage. Americans are reducing their fossil fuel use by the year, but eliminating those energy sources doesn’t mean they … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: How does renewable energy impact air pollution? →

Over recent years, Paris has implemented an array of measures to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists and transit while bringing car use screeching to a halt

The share of journeys made by car in the city has fallen by nearly half, and the trend is only accelerating. Peter Yeung discusses the trend in Paris in an article on the Reasons to be Cheerful website. Cars Are Vanishing from Paris Bright parasols, wooden sun loungers and expanses of golden sand suddenly … Continue reading Over recent years, Paris has implemented an array of measures to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists and transit while bringing car use screeching to a halt →

New EEA report on increase in GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles

GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles — trucks, buses and coaches — have increased in the EU almost every year since 2014, mainly due to increasing demand for freight transport. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, efficiency improvements have not been enough to stop growth in total emissions and a shift … Continue reading New EEA report on increase in GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles →

Move to electric vehicles in California hailed as ‘monumental’

Dani Angulano writes The Guardian about new plans in California to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. For years, as California has moved ahead with ambitious clean-air regulations, the state has had to prod the auto industry to go along. Now, in the push to electrify the nation’s car fleet, it is … Continue reading Move to electric vehicles in California hailed as ‘monumental’ →

Promoting bicycling can have major impact on mitigating GHG emissions

In the Netherlands, one in four trips is made on a bicycle. If the whole world biked as much as they do in the Netherlands, over 680 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be avoided every year. than Freedman discusses the benefits of cycling in an article on The Independent website. And while … Continue reading Promoting bicycling can have major impact on mitigating GHG emissions →

Polluting vehicles can be exchanged for up to €4,000 to help pay for an electric bike under a new scheme in France

France has created a new subsidy scheme which is seen as the most generous of an array of incentives to persuade the country to get out of old-style transport and embrace active mobility. Charles Bremner discusses the subsidy in an article on The Times website. On your ebike, and here’s €4,000 for it, says … Continue reading Polluting vehicles can be exchanged for up to €4,000 to help pay for an electric bike under a new scheme in France →

Today the legend of autobahns is associated with Germany’s failure to meet its climate obligations

Germany's long love affair with its high-speed freeways could hit a dead end as calls grow to stop autobahn extensions to combat climate change. Stuart Braun discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Autobahns speed up climate crisis When German electronic band Kraftwerk released the iconic song "Autobahn" in 1975, … Continue reading Today the legend of autobahns is associated with Germany’s failure to meet its climate obligations →

The number of clean air zones across Europe has risen 40% since 2019, forcing older and more polluting vehicles off the road

Low-emission zones, now in 320 cities, are increasing as EU battles pollution health emergency Dirty air is the greatest environmental threat to human health, cutting life expectancy by almost two years. Arthur Neslen explains latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. Old cars forced off road as Europe’s clean air zones nearly … Continue reading The number of clean air zones across Europe has risen 40% since 2019, forcing older and more polluting vehicles off the road →