ENENEUROPEANCOMMISSIONBrussels,12.5.2021COM(2021)400finalCOMMUNICATIONFROMTHECOMMISSIONTOTHEEUROPEANPARLIAMENT,THECOUNCIL,THEEUROPEANECONOMICANDSOCIALCOMMITTEEANDTHECOMMITTEEOFTHEREGIONSPathwaytoaHealthyPlanetforAllEUActionPlan:'TowardsZeroPollutionforAir,WaterandSoil'{SWD(2021)140final}-{SWD(2021)141final}11.INTRODUCTIONWhileanunprecedentedworldwideeffortisunderwaytofighttheCOVID-19pandemic,thepersistentthreatstothehealthofourplanetcallforurgentremediestoo.Climatechange,environmentalpollution1,biodiversitylossandanunsustainableuseofnaturalresourcesposemultipleriskstohuman,animalandecosystemhealth.Theyincludeinfectiousandnon-communicablediseases,antimicrobialresistanceandwaterscarcity2.TobuildaHealthyPlanetforAll,theEuropeanGreenDeal3callsfortheEUtobettermonitor,report,preventandremedyair,water,soilandconsumerproductspollution,amongotherthings.Thereisanurgencytoact:Pollutioncancausecancer,ischaemicheartdisease,obstructivepulmonarydisease,strokes,mentalandneurologicalconditions,diabetesandmore4(seeFigure1).Despitetangibleprogress,in2015pollutionstillledtoanestimated9millionprematuredeathsworldwide(16%ofalldeaths)–threetimesmoredeathsthanfromAIDS,tuberculosis,andmalariacombinedand15timesmorethanfromallwarsandotherformsofviolence5.IntheEU,everyyear,pollutioncauses1in8deaths6.Figure1:Top10non-communicablediseasescausingdeathsattributabletotheenvironment(Source:EEA–Healthyenvironment,healthylives,2018basedonWHO(2016))Thefightagainstpollutionisalsoafightforfairnessandequality.Pollution’smostharmfulimpactsonhumanhealtharetypicallybornebythemostvulnerablegroups.Theseincludechildren,whocansufferseriouslong-termharmontheirdevelopment,peoplewithmedicalconditions,olderpersons,personswithdisabilitiesandthoselivinginpoorersocio-economicconditions7.Worldwide,low-andmiddle-incomecountriesbearthebruntofpollution-relatedillnesses,withnearly92%ofpollution-relateddeaths8.1Directive2010/75/EU,Article3(2):‘Pollutionmeansthedirectorindirectintroduction,asaresultofhumanactivity,ofsubstances,vibrations,heatornoiseintoair,waterorlandwhichmaybeharmfultohumanhealthorthequalityoftheenvironment,resultindamagetomaterialproperty,orimpairorinterferewithamenitiesandotherlegitimateusesoftheenvironment’.2SeeUNEP(2021):MakingPeacewithNature.3COM(2019)640.4IEEP(2020):‘Mentalhealthandtheenvironment’.5TheLancetCommissiononpollutionandhealth(October2017).6EEAReportNo21/2019:Healthyenvironment,healthylives.7EEAReportNo22/2018:Unequalexposureandunequalimpacts.8UNEP/EA.4/3(2018):Implementationplan‘TowardsaPollution-FreePlanet’.2Pollutionalsothreatensourbiodiversityandsignificantlycontributestotheon-goingmassextinctionofspecies.Togetherwithchangesinlandandseause,overexploitationofnaturalresources,climatechangeandinvasivealienspecies,pollutionisoneofthefivemaindriversofbiodiversityloss.Todayitisthreateningthesurvivalofmorethan1millionoftheplanet’sestimated8millionplantandanimalspecies,andthesituationisexpectedtoworsen,unlesswechange9.Overall,theachievementoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)isthreatenedbyanarrayofescalatingandmutuallyreinforcingenvironmentalrisks.Economicprogressandpollutionreductioncangotogether:between2000and2017,theEU'sGDPgrewby32%whileemissionsofthemainairpollutantsdecreasedby10%(ammonia,mainlyfromagriculture)to70%(sulphuroxides,mainlyfromindustrialproduction)10.However,theoverallfivefoldgrowthoftheglobaleconomyinthepastfivedecadeshascomeatmassivecosttotheglobalenvironment11.Theeconomiccaseforactingonpollutionisclearandthebenefitsforsocietyfaroutweighthecosts,justasthecostsofinactionhugelyoutweighthecostsofaction.Forexample,airpollutioncostshealthandeconomicactivitiesanestimatedEUR330to940billionperyearintheEU12,includinglostworkdays,healthcarecosts,cropyieldlossanddamagetobuildings,whereasallthemeasuresintheEUtoimproveairqualityhaveanestimatedcombinedcostofEUR70to80billionperyear13.Thegrowingdemandforlesspollutinggoodsandservicesentailssignificantbusinessopportunities,alreadymobilisingEUcompaniestowardsinnovativesolutions.Therecoveryeffortscansupportthistrend.Actingonpollutionnowalsomeansinter-generationalsolidarity.Atthesametime,weneedabetterintegratedoverviewofpollutionforpublicandprivateactorstotackleconnectedpollutionissuesacrossspaceandtimeandaddresstheirinterplaywithotherenvironmental,socialandeconomicconsiderationsaseffectivelyaspossibleintheirpolicy,investmentandpurchasedecisions.MostEuropeanssupportactionagainstpollution:protectingtheenvironmentiscitedasveryimportantandpollutionasthemostimportantenvironmentalproblemafterclimatechange14.Mostrespondentstotheopenpublicconsultationonthisactionplan15areoftheviewthatrelevantsocietalactorsarenotdoingenoughandthattheEUandnationalgovernmentsneedtotakeaction.Steppingupinternationalaction,betterimplementingpollution-relatedlegislation,promotingformaleducationandinfluencingbehaviouralchangewereidentifiedasthemosteffectivewaysforward.Pollutiondoesnotstopatborders.WhilepollutionenterstheEUthroughoceans,rivers,windsorimportedgoods,theEUalsocausessignificantpollutionelsewhereintheworldthroughitsownproductionandconsumptionpatternsaswellasitswaste.AtthesametimetheEUhaspowerfultoolstocontributetopollutionmitigationeffortsworldwide,viaitspoliciesandfunds,itsgreendiplomacy,aswellasbystimulatinginnovation,withcleanerproductionandmoresustainableconsumptionofgoodsandservices.9IPBES(2019),Summaryforpolicymakers,pp.17-19,B.10-B.14;EuropeanEnvironmentAgency(2019),TheEuropeanenvironment–stateandoutlook2020.10SWD(2019)427.11UNEPReport(2021):MakingPeacewithNature.12SWD(2013)531.13IIASA(2017):‘Costs,benefitsandeconomicimpactsoftheEUCleanAirStrategyandtheirimplicationsoninnovationandcompetitiveness’.14seeSpecialEurobarometer501(March2020)‘AttitudesofEuropeancitizenstowardstheEnvironment’.15Ecorys(2021):“ConsultationsontheEUActionPlantowardsazeropollutionambitionforair,waterandsoil”,SynopsisReport(see‘Haveyoursay’portal’).3Thepublichealth,environmental,moralandsocio-economiccasefortheEUtoleadtheglobalfightagainstpollutionistodaystrongerthanever16.Nowisthetimetobeambitious,todeliveronpeople’slegitimateaspirationstohavetheirhealth,environmentandlivelihoodsprotected–andtomakepeacewithourplanet.2.TOWARDSZEROAIR,WATERANDSOILPOLLUTION2.1.ThezeropollutionambitionThezeropollutionvisionfor2050:aHealthyPlanetforAllAir,waterandsoilpollutionisreducedtolevelsnolongerconsideredharmfultohealthandnaturalecosystemsandthatrespecttheboundariesourplanetcancopewith,thuscreatingatoxic-freeenvironment.Thezeropollutionambition17isacross-cuttingobjectivecontributingtotheUN2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment18andcomplementingthe2050climate-neutralitygoalinsynergywiththecleanandcirculareconomyandrestoredbiodiversitygoals.ItispartandparcelofmanyEuropeanGreenDealandotherinitiatives19,andtheCommissionwillcontinueincludingthezeropollutionambitioninfuturepolicyinitiatives.ThemainobjectiveofthisactionplanistoprovideacompassforincludingpollutionpreventioninallrelevantEUpolicies,maximisingsynergiesinaneffectiveandproportionateway,steppingupimplementationandidentifyingpossiblegapsortrade-offs.TosteertheEUtowardsthe2050visionofaHealthyPlanetforAll,thisactionplansetskey2030targetstospeeduppollutionreduction.Thezeropollutiontargetsfor203020UnderEUlaw,GreenDealambitionsandinsynergywithotherinitiatives,by2030theEUshouldreduce:1.bymorethan55%thehealthimpacts(prematuredeaths)ofairpollution;2.by30%theshareofpeoplechronicallydisturbedbytransportnoise;3.by25%theEUecosystemswhereairpollutionthreatensbiodiversity;4.by50%nutrientlosses,theuseandriskofchemicalpesticides,theuseofthemorehazardousones,andthesaleofantimicrobialsforfarmedanimalsandinaquaculture;5.by50%plasticlitteratseaandby30%microplasticsreleasedintotheenvironment;6.significantlytotalwastegenerationandby50%residualmunicipalwaste.Thisactionplanalsosetsoutkeyactionsfor2021-2024tocomplementthemanyrelevantactionsinotherEuropeanGreenDealinitiatives,includingthechemicalsstrategyforsustainability.16TheLancetCommissiononpollutionandhealth(2018).17Assetoutthroughthisactionplanandthechemicalsstrategyforsustainability(COM(2020)667).18Seee.g.SDGtargets3,6,11,12,14,15.19Suchasthe2030climateambition,theclimateadaptationstrategy,theclimatepact,cleanenergyinitiatives,therenovationwavestrategy,thesustainableandsmartmobilitystrategy,thecirculareconomyactionplan,thebiodiversityandfarmtoforkstrategies,thenewindustrialstrategyforEuropeandtheEU’spharmaceuticalsstrategy,Europe’sbeatingcanceractionplanandnewconsumeragenda,aswellasthecommunicationonmultilateralisminthe21stcenturyandthetradepolicyreview.20Theorigin,baselines,methodologiesandbackgroundonthesetargets:seeAnnex2.4WhilethelockdownmeasurestofighttheCOVID-19pandemichaveledtotemporarilycleanerair,watersandreducednoiseinmanyplaces,slowingdownalleconomicactivitiesisnotthewaytheEUenvisionsitsownandtheworld’spathtowardszeropollution.Instead,theEUcansustainprosperitywhiletransformingproductionandconsumptionmodesanddirectinginvestmentstowardszeropollution.Investmentsincleanandsustainabledesign,circulareconomybusinessmodels,cleanertransportandmobility,low-emissiontechnologies,nature-basedsolutionsandsustainabledigitalisationofferstrongopportunitiestoconsolidateEUleadershipingreengrowth,whilereducinginequalities,creatingjobsandenhancingcollectiveresilience.The2021-2027multiannualfinancialframeworkandNextGenerationEUprovideunprecedentedbudgetaryopportunitiestosupportsuchinvestmentsandfightclimatechange,biodiversityloss,resourcedepletionandpollutionintheEU-andglobally21.ThezeropollutionhierarchyAlongsideeffortstoachieveclimateneutrality,theEUneedsamoreeffective‘zeropollutionhierarchy’(seeFigure1)takingintoaccountprinciplesenshrinedintheTreaty:notably,thatEUenvironmentalpoliciesshouldbebasedontheprecautionaryprincipleandontheprinciplesthatpreventiveactionshouldbetaken,thatenvironmentaldamageshould,asapriority,berectifiedatsourceandthatthepollutershouldpay.Itishightimeto‘reversethepyramid’ofactionandrethinkthewaygoodsandservicesaredesigned,produced,delivered,performedand/orusedanddisposedof.Thismeansthat,firstofall,pollutionshouldbepreventedatthesource.Wherefullypreventingpollutionfromtheoutsetisnot(yet)possible,pollutionshouldbeminimised.Finally,whenpollutionoccurred,itshouldberemediated–andtherelateddamagecompensated.Figure2:Thezero-pollutionhierarchy–reversingthepyramidofaction,prioritisingtheapproachesfortacklingpollution21AnnexVIoftheRecoveryandResilienceFundvividlyshowsthesesynergies52.2.Improvingourhealthandwell-beingTheEUhasarobustregulatoryframeworkinplacetocapambientairpollution.However,thenumberofprematuredeathsandotherdiseasesattributabletoairpollutionremainshigh.ThiscanbeattributedtothefactthatsomeEUairqualitystandardsarestilllessstringentthanthestandardstheWHOrecommendedin2005,andthewaytheAmbientAirQualityDirectivesareimplementedhasonlybeenpartiallyeffective22.WeneedbetterpublichealthprotectioninlinealsowithEurope’sbeatingcancerplan.Tothisend,in2022theCommissionwillproposethattheEU’sairqualitystandardsbealignedmorecloselywiththeupcomingWHOrecommendationsandthatprovisionsonmonitoring,modellingandairqualityplansbestrengthenedtohelplocalauthorities,whileimprovingtheoverallenforceabilityoftheregulatoryframework.Inparallel,theCommissionwillintroducestricterrequirementstotackleairpollutionatsource,suchasfromagriculture,industry,transport,buildingsandenergy,includingthroughanumberofEuropeanGreenDealmeasuresandstrategies(suchassustainableandsmartmobility,renovationwave,andfarmtofork).InitsSecondCleanAirOutlook,theCommissionreportsthatthemeasuresMemberStatesannouncedintheirnationalairpollutioncontrolprogrammeswillnotbeenoughtoreachthelevelsofammoniaemissionreductionsneededtoachieve2030objectives:ammoniaisamightyprecursoroffineparticulatematter(PM2.5),andthemostcost-effectivemeasurestocutitsemissionsallrelatetoagriculture,inparticulartoanimalfeedingpractices,manuremanagementandtheuseoffertilisers23.Inthisregard,asannouncedbythefarmtoforkstrategy,theCommission,initseffortstobuildasustainablefoodsystemandamoresustainablelivestockfarming,willfacilitatetheplacingonthemarketofalternativefeedmaterialsandinnovativefeedadditives.TheCommissionisalsoassessingwhetherfurtherlegislationisneededtocapammoniaemissions.ThereviewoftheIndustrialEmissionsDirectiveaimstocurbammoniaemissionsfromtheintensiverearingoflivestock.Inaddition,furthermeasurestoreduceammoniaemissionsmaybeneeded,interaliaunderthecommonagriculturalpolicy,orbymakingmanurehandlingbinding.Asannouncedinthesustainableandsmartmobilitystrategy,theCommissionwilladdressairandnoisepollutionfromtransport,includingthroughthenewEuro7standardsforroadvehiclesandimprovedemissionstestinginroadworthinesschecks,insynergywithCO2emissionperformancestandards.Basedonlatestevidence,itwillconsidertheneedtolimittheemissionsofPM2.5andnanoparticlesfromalltypesofcombustionenginesandfrombrakesinconventionalandelectricvehiclesalike,togetherwiththeneedtoreducepollutantemissionsunderabroadersetofconditionsofuseandoverthelifetimeofvehicles..Inlinewiththefindingsofthe2017evaluationoftheEnvironmentalNoiseDirective24andthe2020evaluationoftheOutdoorNoiseDirective25,theCommissionwillfocusonbettertacklingnoiseatsource,notablybysecuringproperimplementationonthegroundand,whereappropriate,improvingtheEUnoise-relatedregulatoryframeworkontyres,roadvehicles,railways,aircrafts,alsoatinternationallevel.Additionally,theCommissionwillfollowupontheevaluationoftheOutdoorNoiseDirectivetoaddressoutdoorequipment.Itwillreviewprogress26in2022andconsiderwhetherthereisaneedtosetnoisereductiontargetsatEUlevelintheEnvironmentalNoiseDirective.NoiseactionplansrequiredbytheDirectiveshouldbe22SWD(2019)427,WHO(2006).Airqualityguidelines–globalupdate2005.Nextupdateduein2021;EEA:AirqualityinEurope–2020report(pp.13-14).23COM(2021)3.24CommunicationontheImplementationoftheEnvironmentalNoiseDirective(COM(2017)151).25COM(2020)715.26BasedonnoisepollutiontrendsresultingfromMemberStatenoise.6betterintegratedintothesustainableurbanmobilityplansandbenefitfromanextensionofcleanpublictransportandfrommoreactivemobility.Together,theabovenoisereductionmeasuresmaygosomewayinrepairingdamagedonebychronicnoisepollution.Forairpollutionfrombuildings,progresshasbeenmadeonphasingoutpollutingcoalandfueloilheating,whilepollutionfrombiomassburningremainsachallenge,notablywhenusingoutdated,inefficientinstallations.TheCommissionwillpromotetheintegrationofthezeropollutionambitionwithcleanenergyandenergyefficiencyobjectives,suchasintherenovationwaveandNewEuropeanBauhausinitiatives,recoveryandreuseofconstructionwasteandwhenreviewingeco-designandenergylabellingrequirementsforheatingappliances,asapriorityinparticularthoseforsolidfuelheatingbythebeginningof2024atthelatest.TheEUwillalsocontinuetosupportthetransitiontocleanerenergyandcleanerdomesticheatinginthirdcountries,notablyneighbourhoodcountries.Onindoorairquality,EUpolicieshaveaddressedseveralofitsdeterminants,fromambientairtoconstructionmaterialsandconsumerproducts,heatingandcoolingsystems,aswellassmokinghabits.Occupationalsafetyandhealth(OSH)legislationhasalsosignificantlycontributedtoprogressontheissue,andwillcontinuetodosothroughthenextStrategicFrameworkonsafetyandhealthatwork.Therenovationwaveinitiative27willallowaddressingtheissueofhealthytemperaturesandlevelsofhumidityinnewbuildingsandinbuildingsundergoingmajorrenovations,whilsttacklingtheissueofdecontaminationoftoxicsubstances,includingasbestos.However,theEUlacksacomprehensive,integratedapproach.COVID-19andtheresultingreducedpossibilitiestogooutsidehaveagainhighlightedtheimportanceofensuringthatatalltimestheindoorandoutdoorairwebreatheisclean.Withtheinsulationofbuildingsimproving,ensuringgoodindoorairqualitywillbecomeevenmoreimportant.Schoolbuildingsalsodeserveparticularattention.TheCommissionwillanalyseknowledgeandpolicygaps,insynergywiththeNewEuropeanBauhausinitiativeandconsideringtheresultsofrelevantHorizonEuropeprojects.Onthisbasis,theCommissionwillassesspathwaysandpolicyoptionstoimproveindoorairquality,focusingonkeydeterminantsandpollutionsourcesandexploringwaystoraisegreaterpublicawarenessandreducerisks.AsfromJanuary2023,therevisedDrinkingWaterDirectivewillprovidehigherhumanhealthprotectionthankstomorestringentwaterqualitystandards,tacklingpollutantsofconcern,suchasendocrinedisruptorsandmicroplastics,andleadingtoevencleanerwaterfromthetapforall–andlessneedforplasticbottles.TheCommissionwillassessby2023whethernewparametersalsoneedtobeaddressedintheongoingreviewoftheBathingWaterDirective28.UndertheforthcomingreviewoftheUrbanWasteWaterTreatmentDirective,thepossibilityofintroducingpermanentmonitoringofhealthrelevantparametersinwastewaterswillbeanalysed.Thiscouldhelpprepareusforanynewepidemicthreats29.Reviewingand,whererelevant,modernisingotherwaterandmarinelaws,notablytomakethembetterfittoreducechemicalcontaminantsandmicroplastics,willalsohelppreservethequalityofthewaterwedrinkandtheseafoodweeat.TheCommissionidentified,inthefarmtoforkstrategy,actionswhichwillcontributetomovingtowardszero-pollutioninfoodsystems,suchasthenewstrategicguidelinesforEUaquaculture.Updatingthelistsofproblematicsubstancesforsurfacewaterandgroundwaterwillprotectnatureandhumanhealthfromthemostrelevantsubstancesbasedonthemostup-to-datescientificinsights.Inparallel,theCommissionwillcontinuepromotingthecreationofEmissionControlAreasacrossallEUseas30toimprovetheairbreathedonshipsandinportcitiesandcoastalareas,andthequalityoftheseaswebathein.27COM(2020)662;Directive2010/31/EU,seealsotheEnergyPerformanceofBuildingsDirective2010/31/EU.28See‘Haveyoursay’portal.29CommissionRecommendationEU(C(2021)1925).30https://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/researchPrograms/air/Shipping_emissions_reductions_main.pdf7Forbettermentalandphysicalwell-being,theCommissionwillconsiderpromotingdepollutedandre-naturalisedsitesaspotentialpublicgreenareasinitsupcomingproposalforlegallybindingEUnaturerestorationtargets,inthenewsoilstrategyandinallurbangreeningactions,asannouncedintheEUbiodiversitystrategyfor2030.Indoingso,itwillaimatredressingsocialinequalitiestoanequitableaccesstogreeninfrastructureincitiesasmuchaspossible.Furthermore,by2025theCommissionwillfinaliseacomprehensivereviewofthemajorityofEUwastelawstoadaptthemtothecleanandcirculareconomyprinciples,wherebywastepreventionisscaledup,highqualityrecyclingleadstocleansecondarymaterialscyclesandresidualwasteisminimised.Withthechemicalsstrategyforsustainability,theCommissionwillbetterprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironmentfromhazardouschemicals.Inparticular,itwillproposemeasurestophaseoutthemostharmfulchemicals-likeendocrinedisruptorsandpersistentsubstances–especiallyinconsumerproductsandmeasurestosubstituteandminimiseallsubstancesofconcernintheeconomyandsociety31.OngoinginternationalcooperationwillbeintensifiedwiththeWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO),theOECD,theConventiononLong-RangeTransboundaryAirPollutionandotherkeyinternationalinitiativesandorganisations,includingsector-specificorganisationssuchastheInternationalMaritimeOrganisation(IMO)andtheInternationalCivilAviationOrganisation(ICAO).Asforwaterandsoilpollutionfrompharmaceuticals,inadditiontotheEUtargetonantimicrobialsalereduction,theCommissionwillencourageinternationalcooperationtoaddresstheenvironmentalrisksinothercountrieswherepharmaceuticalemissionsfrommanufacturingandothersourcesmaycontribute,amongotherthings,tothespreadofantimicrobialresistance(AMR)32.Flagship1:ReducinghealthinequalitiesthroughzeropollutionFrom2022onwards,theCommissionwillensurethatthenewlyannouncedCancerInequalitiesRegistryandtheAtlasofDemographyareregularlyfedwithpollutionmonitoringandoutlookdataandthat,by2024,theneedtohaveanInequalitiesRegisteridentifyingtrends,disparitiesandinequalitiesacrossEUregionsisalsoassessedforotherpollution-relateddiseases,tohelptargetinterventionsatEU,nationalandlocallevel.Thiswillalsoenablepeopletocomparehowmuchpollutionaffectstheirhealthacrossthedifferentregionswheretheylive,studyandwork.Flagship2:SupportingurbanzeropollutionactionAspartofthefutureYearofGreenerCities33,theCommissionwill,insynergywiththeproposed34HorizonEuropeMissionforClimateNeutralandSmartCities,therevisionoftheUrbanMobilityPackage,theCovenantofMayors,andtheNewEuropeanBauhausinitiative,identifykeyurbangreeningandinnovationneedstopreventpollution,includingindoors.By2024,theCommissionwillrewardthecitiesreportingthemostprogressover2021-2023inreducingair,waterandsoilpollution.Thiswillhelppeoplebenefitfromactionsagainstpollutionthataretailoredtotheirimmediatelocalsurroundings.31COM(2020)667.32COM(2020)761;COM(2019)128.33Plannedfor2022,dependingonthedurationoftheco-decisionprocedure.34https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe/missions-horizon-europe/assessment-criteria_en.82.3.LivingwithinourplanetaryboundariesTokeepourpollutionfootprintwithinboundariesthatourplanet–andthushumankind-cancopewith35,wemustimplementtheexistingEUregulatoryframeworksprotectingair,freshwaters,seasandoceansfasterandbetter,whileurgentlyworkingtowardsaframeworktoregularlyassessthestatusofEUsoilsandtakeactionatalllevelstoaddresssoilpollutionanddegradation.Fromanairqualityperspective,theCommissionwill,togetherwithMemberStates,followuponNationalAirPollutionControlProgrammesandreductioncommitmentstoensurethattheNationalEmissionReductionCommitments(NEC)Directiveisfullyimplemented,sothatby2030thenumberoflandandfreshwaterecosystemswhereairpollution-relatedeutrophicationthreatensbiodiversityisreducedby25%36.Whenitcomestofreshwaterandmarinepollution,achieving‘goodstatus’undertheWaterFrameworkDirectiveandtheMarineStrategyFrameworkDirectivewouldbringtheEUclosetorealisingthezeropollutionambitionforallaquaticecosystems.However,the2019evaluationconcludedthattheimplementationoffreshwaterlegislationremainsinsufficient37,duetofactorssuchaslackofinvestment,limitedinclusionoffreshwaterprotectionobjectivesinotherpolicyareas,slowimplementationofmeasuresandtheneedtobetteraddresschemicalpollution.Stricterimplementationwillthusbethefocalaction.TheCommissionwillnotablyaimtoensurethatMemberStatespromotesustainableandefficientwaterconsumption,discouragewaterpollutionandpresentasociallyfairwaterbilltoallwaterusersandpolluters,includingindustry,agricultureandhouseholdconsumers,makingbestuseoftherevenuesforsustainableinvestments38.Itwillalsosupportbettermonitoringandreducingpollutionfromkeysubstancesinsurfaceandgroundwaters.Theproposed‘MissionHealthyOcean,SeasCoastalandInlandWaters’,willaimtosupportinnovationandimplementationofEUpoliciesandlaws,toachievehealthy,pollution-freeocean,seasandwaters.TheCommissionwillalsoadoptan“InlandNavigationActionPlan2021-2027”(NAIADESIII),tosupportagradualmodalshifttowardszeroemissioninlandwaterwaystransport39.TheCommissionwillreviewtheMarineStrategyFrameworkDirectiveby2023,takingintoaccountthestateofimplementationofEUlawsaddressingkeypollutionsourcesandtheneedtoreduceplasticandotherlitter,underwaternoiseandcontaminants.BuildinguponthesuccessoftherecentlyagreedEUthresholdvalueonbeachlitter40,theCommissionwillworkwithMemberStatesonEUthresholdvaluesformaximumlevelsofunderwaternoisestemmingfrommaritimetransport,construction,dredgingandotheroffshoreactivities.TheupcomingreviewoftheUrbanWasteWaterTreatmentDirective41will,insynergywiththeevaluationoftheSewageSludgeDirective42,helptoincreasetheambitionleveltoremovenutrientsfromwastewaterandmaketreatedwaterandsludgereadyforreuse,supportingmorecircular,lesspollutingfarming.Itwillalsoaddressemergingpollutantssuchasmicroplastics35EEAReportNo1/2020:IsEuropelivingwithinthelimitsofourplanet?36Directive(EU)2016/2284.Airpollutioncontributestoeutrophication,bywhichanexcessofnutrientnitrogenisdepositedonsoilsandwaters.37SWD(2019)439andSWD(2020)259.38Directive2000/60/EC,Article9.39See‘Haveyoursay’portal.40Lessthan20litteritemsforevery100metresofcoastline–seealsohttps://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/news/eu-member-states-agree-threshold-value-keep-europe-s-beaches-clean41See‘Haveyoursay’portal.42See‘Haveyoursay’portal.9andmicropollutants,includingpharmaceuticals.Stepswillbetakentowardsenergyefficiencyandcarbonneutralityaswellasabetterapplicationofthe‘polluterspays’principle.Thereviewwillalsolookatimprovingaccesstojustice,sanitationforallandinformation.Thisreviewwillalsosupporttheconcreteimplementationofthefutureintegratednutrientmanagementactionplan,addressingholisticallyalong-standingenvironmentalchallenge,maximisingsynergiesbetweenpoliciesandmakingbestuseofthegreenarchitectureofthenewcommonagriculturalpolicy,especiallyviaconditionalityandeco-schemes.Similarly,asannouncedintheFarmtoForkandBiodiversityStrategies,pollutionfrompesticidesinair,waterandsoilshouldbereducedbycuttingby50%by2030theiroveralluseandrisk,includingthemosthazardousones.Thiswillbeachievedthroughenhanceduptakeofintegratedpestmanagement,therevisionoftheDirectiveonSustainableUseofPesticides,thepromotionofagro-ecologicalpractices,includingorganicfarming,andavoidingtheuseofchemicalspesticidesinsensitiveareas.Inadditiontoaddressingtheriskstohumanhealthandtheenvironment,thiswillalsoreducethecostoftreatingdrinkingwater.Innovativetechniques,includingbiotechnology,couldalsocontributetoreducingdependencyonpesticides43.Furthermore,theproposed‘’MissionintheareaofSoilHealthandFood’,togetherwiththeagriculturalEuropeanInnovationPartnership(EIPAGRI),willpromotethewide-spreaduptakeofpracticesforpesticideandnutrientreductionbypromotinginnovationsandexchangeofknowledge.Itwillaimtoensuringthat,by2030,75%ofsoilsarehealthy,alsothankstoaspecificobjectiveonreducingsoilpollutionandenhancingrestoration.AspartoftheupcomingEUsoilstrategy,theCommissionwilldevelopmeasurestosignificantlyincreaseeffortstoidentify,investigate,assessandremediatecontaminatedsites,sothatby2050soilpollutionwillnolongerposeahealthorenvironmentalrisk.Newsoilcontaminationshouldbepreventedasmuchaspossible,butwhenitoccursdespitepreventiveandothermeasures,therisksshouldbeimmediatelyaddressed.Anestimated2.8millionsitesarepotentiallycontaminatedacrosstheEU,ofwhich390000areexpectedtorequireremediation.By2018,onlysome65500siteswerereportedtohavebeenremediated44.ItiscrucialthatallMemberStateshavearegisterfor(potentially)contaminatedsites,stepupeffortstoremediatesuchsitesanddevelopclearcriteriatoprioritisedecontamination.TheupcomingproposalforlegallybindingEUnaturerestorationtargetswillconsideraddressingtherestorationofdegradedsoilecosystems.TheCommissionwillalsodevelopanEUprioritywatchlistforsoilcontaminantsaswellasguidance,e.g.forapassportforthesafe,sustainableandcircularuseofexcavatedsoilsbasedonMemberStateexperienceswheretheyexist.TobetterunderstandtheissueofdiffusesoilpollutionintheEU,theCommissionwillworktowardsintegratingazeropollutionmoduleinthefutureLUCASsoilsurvey45.Theavailabilityandawarenessofpublicandprivatefundingoptionsforidentifying,investigatingandremediatingcontaminatedsoilswillbepromotedandfacilitated.Internationally,theEUwillsupportglobalandregionaltransboundarywatercooperation46,andworkwithmajorpartnersbilaterally.Itwillcontinuetofostercooperationbetweenrelevantregionalfora,suchasinEuropeanriverbasins(Rhine,Danube)andwillcontinuepursuingtheglobaluptakeandimplementationoftheUNECEConventionontheProtectionandUseofTransboundaryWatercoursesandInternationalLakes.ItwillcontinuestrengtheningInternationalOceanGovernanceandsupportpartnercountriestoensurethattheoceansareclean,healthyandsustainablymanaged47.TheEUwillalsosupportthecoordinationof43https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/gmo/modern_biotech/new-genomic-techniques_en44JRC(2018).StatusoflocalsoilcontaminationinEurope.45LandUseandLandCoverageAreaframeSurvey.46alsomakinguseofregionalcooperationtools,e.g.EUmacro-regionalstrategies,Interregprogrammes47JOIN(2016)49.10regionalseabasinstojointlymeasure,assessandtackledifferenttypesofpollution.Severalregionalriverandseabasinssufferalsofromhistoricalpollution,partlystilllinkedtoWorldWarII48,whichhasaccumulatedinsediments,posingsignificantrisksforaquaticecosystemsbutalsotohumanhealth,viafishandshellfish.Itwillalsostepupitsengagementwiththirdcountriesontacklingmarinelitter.Furthermore,closercooperationintheMediterraneanregion,notablythroughtheBarcelonaConventionanditsProtocolsandtheUnionfortheMediterranean,willcontinuetobeapriority.TheEUisalsosteeringdevelopmentsintheIMOtoregulatedischargesintotheseafromshipsequippedwithexhaustgascleaningsystems49.ItwillalsocontinuesupportingtheGlobalSoilPartnershiptofurtherpreventpollutionandminimisetherisksfromlegacypollutioninsoils.Flagship3:PromotingzeropollutionacrossregionsBy2024andincooperationwiththeCommitteeoftheRegions,theCommissionwillpresentaScoreboardofEUregions’greenperformance50tomeasure,inparticulartheeffortsofEUregionstoachievethepollution-relevanttargetssetunderthisactionplanandotherstrategies.ItwillbethebasisforrewardingthebestperformancesandgrantanawardfortheGreenRegionoftheYear,possiblyinthecontextofREGIOSTARS.Citizenswillbeabletocheckprogressovertimeandalsocreatearacetozeropollutionwithnewtourismandbusinessopportunities.2.4.TowardszeropollutionfromproductionandconsumptionSteeringtheEUtowardszeropollutionrequires,inclosesynergywiththecirculareconomyactionplan,moresustainableindustrialsystems51,cleanertechnologies,lesspollutingbusinessmodelsandconsumptionhabits,fasterimplementationofthepolluterpaysprinciple,andfurtherapplicationofextendedproducerresponsibility.TheIndustrialEmissionsDirective(IED)52isthemaininstrumentregulatingair,waterandsoilpollutantemissionsfromover52000ofthelargestEUindustrialinstallations.TheIEDmakesthegrantingofpermitsforindustrialinstallationsconditionalonaninstallationcomplyingwiththebestavailabletechniques(BAT).Thishassteeredtheseindustriestoprogressivelyreduceemissionsandcontributedtoalevelplayingfield.Forexample,largecombustionplantsnowemitseventimeslessairpollutantsthantheydid20yearsago.However,airemissionsfromIEDinstallationsstillaccountforclosetoEUR100billionperyearindamages53.Thiscallsforcontinuedeffortstolowertheremainingemissions,includingtowaterandsoil–aswellastoensurethatrelevantoperatorsoflargeindustrialinstallationsandofparticularlyhazardousestablishmentsremediatecontaminationfromtheirindustrialoperationsorincaseofmajorindustrialaccidents.FollowingtherecentIEDevaluation54,theCommissionwillreviseEUrulesonindustrialemissions55,recognisingthatnewtechnologiesorproductionprocesseswilloftenenableemissionsofbothpollutantsandgreenhousegasestobereduced,alsoinsectorscurrentlynot48Anongoingstudyonunderwater,unexplodedmunitionsmayprovideadditionalrelevantinsightsandabasisforpossiblefurtherEUactiontoassisttheMemberStatesconcerned.49Suchsystems,alsocalledscrubbers,areusedtoreduceairpollutingemissions,buttheirdischargescanharmthemarineenvironment.50Buildingonexistingplatforms,e.g.QualityoflifeinEuropeancitiessurvey,2020orKnowledgeCentreforTerritorialPolicies.51InsynergywiththenewindustrialstrategyforEurope.52Directive2010/75/EU.53SWD(2020)181.54Wood(2021):Widerenvironmentalimpactsofindustrydecarbonisation,finalstudyreport.55Directive2010/75/EUandRegulation(EC)No166/2006.11covered.Therevisionwillaimtoacceleratetheuptakeofzero-pollutioninnovation,createalevelplayingfieldalsoforotherhighlypollutingsectors,improvepublicaccesstoinformation,participationindecision-makingandaccesstojusticeandmakeiteasiertocompareMemberStates’performancesintacklingindustrialemissions.AnewInnovationObservatoryundertheIEDwillplayakeyroleinmonitoringinnovationsandacceleratingtheidentificationofnewtechniques.Digitisation,dataprocessingandnewinnovativeapproachessuchasremotesensing,artificialintelligenceandmachinelearningcanbeusedtoaccelerateandtransformthewayregulatorsandindustrytackleindustrialemissions.Furthermore,todelivera‘near-zerolandfillandwaterdischarge’by2050,theHorizonEurope‘Processes4Planetpartnership’,and“PartnershipforaCircularBio-basedEurope”and‘CleanSteelPartnership’willexplorewaystofosterbreakthroughtechnologiesandmoresystemicsolutions,suchasindustrialsymbiosisandcircularsupplychainsbywhichwastesorby-productsofanindustryorsmallandmedium-sizedenterprises(SMEs)becometherawmaterialforanother.Theindustrialtechnologyroadmaponcircularindustriesunderthe‘NewERA’willprovideevidenceandproposeinvestmentagendas56Embracingthezeropollutionambitioninproductionandconsumptionalsomeansthatchemicals,materialsandproductshavetobeassafeandsustainableaspossiblebydesignandduringtheirlifecycle57,leadingtonon-toxicmaterialcycles.TheCommissionhasalreadyadoptedthenewcirculareconomyactionplanandthechemicalsstrategyforsustainability,,andannouncedseveralotherinitiativestotacklethesepollutionchallenges.ThesustainableproductpolicyinitiativewillaimtoensurethatproductsplacedontheEUmarketbecomeincreasinglysustainableandstandthetestofcircularity,makingbothproductionandconsumptionmoreenvironment-friendlyandminimisingwasteandpollution.TheProductEnvironmentalFootprint(PEF)andtheOrganisationEnvironmentalFootprint(OEF)methods58supportatransparent,robust,systematic,andintegratedcomparisonofproductsandorganisationsintheEUmarket.InadditiontoseveralactionstoaddresstheidentifiedenvironmentalchallengesofpharmaceuticalproductsviatheimplementationofthepharmaceuticalstrategyandtheEUstrategicapproachtopharmaceuticalsintheenvironment59,specificmeasuresarealsoenvisagedtoaddressmicroplasticspollution60,persistentorganicpollutants(POPs)61inwasteandharmfulandpersistentsubstancesinproductssuchasper-andpolyfluoroalkylsubstances(PFAS)inallnon-essentialuses62.TheCommissionwillalsoinvitepublicandprivateoperatorstomake‘zeropollutionpledges’63toencourageconsumerstochooselesspollutingproductsandservices,suchastheEUEcolabelones.Thesepledgeswillbeforbrick-and-mortarstoresandonlinemarketplacesandwillbebasedonverifiableandtransparentclaimstowhichalsothefutureGreenClaimsinitiativewillcontribute.Assigningarightpricetopollutionandcreatingincentivesforalternatives,asrequiredbythepolluterpaysprinciple,constituteakeydrivertostimulatecleanerproductionandconsumption64.Today,despitenumerouscalls,pollutionisstillmainlyaddressedthroughregulationanditsexternalcostsarenotfullyinternalised.Thereisscopetopromotefurtheruse56COM(2020)628.57EEAbriefing(2021):‘Safeandsustainablebydesign’;Mappingstudyforthedevelopmentofsustainable-by-designcriteria(21April2021)-https://op.europa.eu/s/o9e258https://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/59COM(2020)761,COM(2019)128.60See‘Haveyoursay’portal.61See‘Haveyoursay’portal.62COM(2020)667.63ThesepledgeswillbecomplementarytotheGreenConsumptionPledgeinitiativeandpledgesundertheEuropeanClimatePact,andsynergieswillbesoughtwithboth.64Article191(2)oftheTreatyontheFunctioningoftheEuropeanUnion.12ofpriceinstruments65.Tosupportthisprocess,theCommissionwilladoptrecommendationsonhowtofurtherpromoterelevantinstrumentsandincentivestobetterimplementthepolluterpaysprincipleandthuscompletethephasingoutof‘pollutionforfree’,followingupontheupcomingEuropeanCourtofAuditorsreport.Meanwhile,itwillconsiderhowtherevisionoftheEnergyTaxationDirectivecanhelpensurethatusersareencouragedtochooselesspollutingenergysources.AlongsideworldwideeffortsundertheMinamataConvention,in2022theCommissionwillrevisetheMercuryRegulation66tophaseouttheuseofdentalamalgamandprohibitthemanufactureandtradeofanumberofmercury-addedproducts,includingcertainlamps.ThiswillbedoneinsynergywithrelevantEUinstruments,includingtheDirectiveontheRestrictionofHazardousSubstances67.TheSevesoIIIDirective68aimstocontrolmajoraccidenthazardsinvolvingdangeroussubstances,andthusplaysakeyroleinsteeringthehighlyindustrialisedEUtowardszeropollutionfromindustrialaccidents.Overthelast10years,forthe12000orsoEU-basedhazardousestablishmentscoveredbytheDirective,therehavebeenlessthan30majoraccidentseachyearintheEU,withincreasinglyreducedimpacts.TheCommissionwillfurtherconsolidateitssupporttoMember,e.g.onassessingtherisksofestablishmentsandtheconsequencesofaccidents.ThiswillalsocomplementtheUnionCivilProtectionMechanism69.Internationally,theEUwillcontinuesupportingworkonbestavailabletechniques(BAT)acrossmultilateralenvironmentalagreements,suchastheStockholmandMinamataConventions,aswellasthroughtheOECD'sBATproject.ItwillalsoactivelycontributetothereviewoftheKyivProtocolonPollutantReleaseandTransferRegisters(PRTR)togatherknowledgeonlevelsandtrendsofindustrialemissions.TofurtheraddresstheEU’sexternalpollutionfootprint,theCommissionwillproposeanambitiousreviewoftheWasteShipmentRegulationtobettermonitorwasteexports,ensuretheirsustainabletreatmentandrestrictexportsofwastethathaveharmfulenvironmentalandhealthimpactsinthirdcountries.Forinstance,end-of-lifevehicles(ELVs),whicharehazardouswasteandcannotbeexportedtonon-OECDcountries,areoftenlabelledasusedcarsandillegallyexported70.Thisleadstoseriouspollutionthreatscausedbytheirunsoundmanagement71.TheEUwillalsofurtherpartnerwithkeycountriestofightwastetraffickingandfacilitateintra-andinter-regionalcooperation.65In2019,theshareofenvironmentaltaxesintotalrevenuesintheEU-27waslowerthan6%,whichwaslessthan2.5%ofGDP.78%ofenvironmentaltaxesarebasedonenergytaxation,19%ontransporttaxes,only3%onpollutionandresources.Thesenumbershavebeenlargelystableoverthelasttwodecades.66Regulation(EU)2017/852.67Directive2011/65/EU68Directive2012/18/EU.69Decision(EU)2013/1313.“Overviewofnaturalandman-madedisasterriskstheEUmayface”SWD(2020)330.EmergencyresponseservicesundertheUnionCivilProtectionMechanismworktogethertoprevent,respondtoandremediatepollutionfromindustrialandmarineaccidents,andothernaturalorman-madedisasters.70TheEUisthebiggestexporterofusedvehiclesworldwide,notablytoWestAfricaandEasternEurope,theCaucasusandCentralAsia.Seehttps://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/new-un-report-details-environmental-impacts-export-used-vehicles71Includingunsafehandlingofoil,lead-acidbatteriesanduncontrolledburningofplastics/rubber.13Flagship4:FacilitatingzeropollutionchoicesFrom2022onwards,theCommissionwillencouragepublicandprivatesectoroperatorstomake‘zeropollutionpledges’topromotebestavailable,‘near-zerowaste’options,andingeneralproductsandservicesproventobelesspollutingovertheirwholelifecycle,withafocusonEUEcolabelproductsandservices,includingtouristaccommodationsandlesstoxicchemicalsandmaterials72.Thiswillprovidepeoplewithmoreoffersandinformationoncleaneroptions.3.CREATINGZEROPOLLUTIONTRANSFORMATIONTOGETHER3.1.EnsuringstricterimplementationandenforcementAccordingtothesecondEnvironmentalImplementationReview73,thecurrentgapsinimplementingEUenvironmentallawcostsocietyatotalofaroundEUR55billionannually,with69%ofthatcostduetoaninsufficientimplementationoflawsonair,noise,waterandindustrialemissions/accidents74.TheCommissionwillincreasinglyfocusitsimplementationandenforcementeffortsonensuringthatallEUpollutionpreventionlawsareeffectivelycompliedwithanddelivertheintendedenvironmentalandhealthbenefits.ThisincludesworkingupstreamwithMemberStatestoensurerapidandaccuratetranspositionandpromotingallavailabletools.ToimprovecompliancebyallrelevantnationalauthoritieswithEUpollutionpreventionlaws,theCommissionwill:promoteenhancedcollaborationbetweennationalauthoritiesandtheEuropeannetworksofenvironmentalagencies,inspectors,auditors,police,prosecutorsandjudgesintheframeworkoftheEnvironmentalComplianceandGovernanceForum75,withaviewtodevelopingnewjointactionsacrossthecompliancechain;bringtogetherenvironmentalandotherenforcementauthorities(e.g.thoseinchargeofEUtransport,energy,agriculture,fisheries,maritimesurveillanceorconsumerprotectionlegislation)toexchangebestpracticesanddevisecross-sectorialcomplianceactionstowardszerotoleranceforpollutionatnationalandtransboundarylevel;improvethehorizontallegalframeworkbystrengtheningtheEnvironmentalCrimeDirective76;evaluateby2023theEnvironmentalLiabilityDirective’sfitnessforpurpose(ELD)77,includingitspollution-relatedaspects,andwillreviseifnecessary;considerdevelopingstandardisedprovisionsoncomplianceassurancefornewlegislativeproposalsandmonitortheproportionateanddissuasiveapplicationofpenaltyclausesinforce;encouragetheapplication,acrosstheMemberStates,ofexistinginspectionsandothercompliancechecksandpenaltyclausesandassesspossibilitiestoimprovethem,whererelevant;promotetheuseofcutting-edgetechnologiestoboostnationalcapacitiesformonitoringandcomplianceverification.72Insynergy,whererelevant,withtheEuropeanClimatePactandotherrelevantinitiatives.73COM(2019)149.74COWI/EUNOMIA(2019):‘ThecostsofnotimplementingEUenvironmentallaw’,finalstudyreport.75COM(2018)10.76https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12779-Improving-environmental-protection-through-criminal-law77Directive2004/35/EC.14Civilsocietyhasanimportantroleasacompliancewatchdog.TheCommissionwillevaluateand,wherenecessary,strengthentheprovisionsonpublicparticipationandaccesstojustice,inlinewithitsCommunicationonaccesstojusticeinenvironmentalmatters78.Whistle-blowersarealsoprotectedwhentheyreportonbreachesofEUlawconcerningpollution79.TheCommissionwillalsogiveattentiontonationalsystemssotheyenablejudgestoguaranteetherightofindividualsandNGOstoaneffectiveremedyunderEUlaw,inlinewiththerevisedAarhusRegulation80.Flagship5:EnforcingzeropollutiontogetherAsfrom2022,theCommissionwillbringtogetherenvironmentalandotherenforcementauthorities(e.g.thoseinchargeofEUtransport,energy,agricultureorconsumerprotectionlegislation)tokickofftheexchangeofbestpracticesandencourageMemberStatestodevisecross-sectorialcomplianceactionstowardszerotoleranceforpollutionatnationallevelandtransboundarylevel.Peoplewillultimatelybenefitfromcleanerair,waterandsoilandlessnoise,thankstobetterenforcementofpollution-relatedlegislation.3.2.BoostingchangeacrosssocietyforzeropollutionThezeropollutionambitionrequirescollectiveactionandcollectivechange,aspollutionresultsfrommultipleactivitiesinmosteconomicsectors,isregulatedbyinternational,EU,national,regionalandlocalauthoritiesandultimatelyaffectsallpeopleandtheenvironmentacrosstheglobe.Everyonehasaroletoplay.Forbusinessesandgovernments,thezeropollutionambitionoffersanimportantopportunitytoinnovatebyinvestingincleantechnologies,productsandservices.Privateinvestmentsareakeylever.In2019,51%moregreenbondswereissuedworldwidecomparedto2018(foratotalofUSD257.7billion),mainlyduetoincreaseduptakewithintheEU81.Implementationoftheenvironmentalcriteria(waterprotection,pollutionpreventionandcontrol,circulareconomyandbiodiversity)undertheSustainableTaxonomyRegulation82willbeanimportantopportunitytosupportthisencouragingtrend.Tohelpcompaniesandgovernmentsmeasuretheeconomicperformanceoftheirbusinessmodelsandprojectsbyreflectingnature’struevalue,theCommissionwillcontinuesupportingstandardisednaturalcapitalaccountingpracticesandmorestringentenvironmentalreporting,asintheproposalforaSustainableCorporateReportingDirective83and,whererelevant,promotepollutionpreventionaspartofthesustainabilityproofingforlargeprojectssupportedbyInvestEU.Thisshouldhelpensurethatair,waterandsoil-relatedaspectsareadequatelyreflectedindevelopingstandardisedpracticesinbusiness,projects,productsandgovernmentandarepromotedinpublic-privatepartnerships84.TheEUwillcontinuepromotinginternationallyagreenfinanceagendatomobiliseprivatecapitalforenvironmentallysustainableinvestmentsthatsupportthezeropollutionobjectives,includingthroughtheInternationalPlatformonSustainableFinance.ItwillengagewiththeMemberStates,theEuropeanInvestmentBankandotherrelevantInternationalFinancial78COM(2020)643.79Directive(EU)2019/1937.80COM(2020)642.81Theuseofproceedssofardominantlyserveenergy,buildingandtransport(over80%);water’sshareis9%,withwasteandlandusearound6%together.Source:DGENV,internalanalysislastupdatedinJuly2020,basedonClimateBondsInitiative:2019GreenBondMarketSummary.82Regulation(EU)2020/852.83COM(2021)189.84ActionswillbecombinedwithnaturalcapitalaccountingactionsannouncedintheEuropeanGreenDeal.15Institutions(IFIs)tomobiliseinstrumentssuchastheEuropeanFundforSustainableDevelopment+tofurtherdevelopandincreasepollutionpreventioninvestments85.From2022onwards,theCommissionwillensurethat,whenrewardingentrepreneurs(e.g.throughtheEuropeanBusinessAwardsfortheEnvironment),theirzeropollutioneffortsaredulyacknowledgedandpublicised.Thiswillhelpsuchfrontrunnercompaniesconsolidatetheirmarketposition,whilehighlightingtheirpollutionperformancefortheirfuturecustomers.Publicfundingwillalsobeneeded,togetherwithprivateinvestment,giventhatachievingagreedenvironmentalobjectiveswillrequireinvestingacrosstheEUanadditionalEUR100-150billioneveryyearuntil2030,asignificantshareofwhichforpollutionpreventionandcontrolinvestments86.Theupcomingreviewoftheeconomicgovernanceframeworkwillincludeareferencetogreenpublicinvestmentinthecontextofthequalityofpublicfinance.The2021-2027multiannualfinancialframeworkandNextGenerationEUwillalsoofferfinancialsupportforpollutionreductionandcontrolthroughcohesionpolicy,thenationalplansundertheRecoveryandResilienceFacilityandotherrelevantnationalstrategies,suchasthenationalstrategicplansunderthecommonagriculturalpolicy,whichcanencouragetheimplementationofbeneficialagriculturalpractices.TheCommissionwillcontinueworkingwithMemberStatestofurtherdevelopandimprovethenationaladvisoryservicesforfarmerstobuildcapacityforlesspollutingpractices,notablytoreduceammoniaandnitratesemissions.Nationalrecoveryandresilienceplansareatooltoaddresschallengesandreapthebenefitsofthegreenanddigitaltransitions,whichcanincludepollutionpreventionandreduction,particularlythoseidentifiedincountry-specificrecommendations.InlinewiththeRecoveryandResilienceFacilityRegulation,theCommissionwillassesstheplansagainst,amongothers,thetargetsoftwindigitalandgreentransition.FundingunderCohesionPolicywillsubstantiallycontributetoachievingthezeropollutionobjectivethroughinvestmentsin,interalia,energyefficiency,renewableenergy,wastewatertreatment,wastemanagement,airqualitymeasures,sustainableurbantransportandgreeninfrastructure.Thiswillsupportactionatnational,regionalandlocallevelalike.TheCommissionalsostandsreadytosupportMemberStatesthroughtheTechnicalSupportInstrumenttoprovidetechnicalsupporttopollution-relatedreformsinEUMemberStates,whichcanbefundedbynationalmeansorEUfunds.TheCommissionisalsodevelopingaLongTermVisionforRuralAreas,thathastheambitiontocontributewithconcreteactionsalsotoemissioncuts.HorizonEuropewillsupporttargetedresearchandinnovationrelevanttothezeropollutionambitionasoneofitspriorities.Majorstrategicinitiativesarethemissions87andpartnerships88suchastheproposedmissionsfor‘Healthyoceans,seas,coastalandinlandwaters’89and‘SoilHealthandFood’90andthemissionfor‘Climate-neutralandsmartcities’andthepartnershipsonrisksfromchemicals(PARC),transformingtheEuropeanprocessindustry(‘Processes4Planet’),watersecurityfortheplanet(‘Water4All’),on‘Zeroemissionwaterbornetransport’(ZEWT)or‘towardszero-emissionroadtransport’(2ZERO).Moreover,HorizonEuropewillcontinuesupportingresearchonpollutantsandtypesofpollutionofemergingconcernsuchaslightpollutionanditsimpactsonbiodiversity,orpollutionwithnanoparticles.85BuildingnotablyonthesuccessfulexperiencesundertheNeighbourhoodInvestmentPlatform,theWesternBalkansInvestmentFramework,theMediterraneanHotspotInvestmentProgramme,theNorthernDimensionEnvironmentalPartnershiportheCleanOceans’Initiative.86COM(2020)21,SWD(2020)98.87https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe/missions-horizon-europe_en88https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe/european-partnerships-horizon-europe_en89E.g.thisoceanmissionwilladdressplasticlitter,microplastics,chemicals,nutrients,underwaternoise.90E.g.thismissionwilladdresssoilpollutioninruralandurbanareas,restorationofcontaminatedsites,andpromotethewide-spreaduptakeofpracticesforpesticideandnutrientreduction16SignificantinnovativepotentialisincreasinglyemergingfromdigitalsolutionstoreducepollutionwhichoftenalsobenefitotherGreenDealobjectives91.Theycanacceleratethezeropollutiontransitionbutrequiretimelydecisionstomakethebestuseoftheopportunitieswhilemitigatingtherisks.Forexample,developingtargeteddigitaltoolstohelpfarmersreducetheirenvironmentalfootprintthankstoeasilyvisualisedrequirementsunderEUlawscouldsignificantlyreducethepollutingimpactsofsomeoftheiractivities.Moregenerally,toimprovetheavailabilityofdatafromthepublicandprivatesectorandhelpbusinesses,policymakers,researchersandcitizensbetterunderstandandvisualisepollution,dataofrelevanceforthezeropollutionambition92willbesharedopenlyaspartoftheGreenDealDataspace93.TheEarthObservationProgrammeCopernicuswillbeamajorbuildingblockfortheEUsDestinationEarthinitiative,providinglargeamountsofEarthObservationandmonitoringdataandinformation.TheCommissionhasalsoannounceda‘GreenData4All’initiative94tomodernise,activelydisseminateandsharepublicandprivatelyhelddatainsupportoftheGreenDealobjectives,buildingonprogressmadeundertheINSPIREDirective95andincludingtheDirectiveonpublicaccesstoenvironmentalinformation96.Moreover,throughsmartcitiesandcommunitiesundertheDigitalEuropeProgramme,forexample,theCommissionwillinvestinthepilotingandrolloutofdigitalsolutionsforzeropollutionaswellasthedevelopmentoflocaldigitaltwins–virtualmodelsofcities–whichwillhelpcitiestacklecomplexenvironmentalandplanningchallenges97.ComplementingtheeffortsundertheEuropeanClimatePact98,theCommissionwillofferpeoplenewpossibilitiestolearnaboutpollutionandtakeaction.Dedicatedinformationmaterialandappswillbedeveloped,startingwiththeAirQualityIndexApp99,makingtheavailablereal-time,comparableEU-widedataeasiertoaccess,andtheconsumerfootprintcalculator100,whichwillallowpeopletoassesstheirownconsumptionfootprints.Dedicated‘zeropollution’communicationactivitieswithpartnerorganisationswillincludeeducationalkits,thepromotionofdedicatedzeropollutionactivitiesforthegeneralpublic,studentsandvulnerablegroups.Clearly,thezeropollutiontransformationneedsnotonlyfundingandtechnologiesbutalsoskilledpeopletomakebestuseofboth.Andthisholdstruenotjustfordigitalskills.TheCommissionwillimplementtheSkillsAgenda101,amongstothersbysupportingthedevelopmentofacoregreenskillssetforthelabourmarkettoguidetrainingacrosstheeconomywithaviewtocreatingagenerationofclimate,environment,andhealthconsciousprofessionalsandgreeneconomicoperators.Inaddition,theCommissionwillensureawideuptakeoftailoredEUtrainingmodulesforhealthcareandothersocialcaresectorworkerstoimprovetheircapacitytodealwithenvironmentalrisks,whilealsoensuringawideEUuptakeofregularlyupdatedbestpracticestomaketangibleprogressinidentifyingandreducingexposuretoenvironmentalrisksinvulnerablegroups.91SWD(2021)141;notethate.g.TheCopernicusservicesalreadyprovidedataandinformationonairquality,freshwaters,seasandsoils.92BuildingonalreadyexistingplatformsandinitiativessuchastheEuropeanMarineObservationandDataNetwork(EMODnet),theInformationPlatformonChemicalMonitoring(IPCheM),aswellastheCopernicusInSituDashboardandMaritimeSurveillanceService93COM(2020)6694AssetoutintheEuropeandatastrategy,see‘Haveyoursay’portal.95Directive2007/2/EC.96Directive2003/4/EC.97SeeSWD(2021)141.98COM(2020)788,e.g.‘online,interactivecitizendialogueswillinviteattendeestocontributeastowhatazeroemissionsandzeropollutionEuropemeansfortheircommunityandeverydaylives’.99using‘up-to-date’airqualitydataofficiallyreported,complementedwherenecessarybymodelledairqualitydatafromtheCopernicusAtmosphereMonitoringService(CAMS).100ToolscheduledtobeavailablebyQ2-2021athttps://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ConsumerFootprint.html101COM(2020)27417Tohelpensurethatthegreentransitionandsustainabilitybecomepartoftheeducationcurriculum,attheendof2021theCommissionwillproposeaCouncilRecommendationoneducationforenvironmentalsustainabilityandaEuropeanCompetenceFrameworkforClimateChangeandSustainableDevelopment.LaunchedinDecember2020,theEducationforClimateCoalitionwillsupportinnovativesolutionswithteachersandstudents,includingongreenskillsdevelopment.TheErasmus+programmewillstrengthenthegreendimensionineducationandtrainingaswellasincreasethenumberofmobilityopportunitiesingreenforward-lookingfieldsofstudy,suchasUrbanPlanning,Sustainability&InnovationorScience,Technology,EngineeringandMaths(STEM).Citiesandregionsareattheforefrontofimplementingpollution-relevantlaws,policiesandprogrammes.Manycitiesaretakingincreasedactionalready,withfrontrunnersengagedintheEuropeanGreenCapitalandGreenLeafnetworks.Nevertheless,numerouscitiesstillstruggletoaddresspollutionsufficiently.Forinstance,EUairqualitystandardsarestillbreachedinmorethan100citiesintheEU.TheCommissionwillcontinuetoencourage,motivateandworkwithcities,undertherecentGreenCityAccord,inparticular,sothattheycommittostepuptheirlocalactiononair,noise,water,natureandbiodiversity,thecirculareconomyandwaste102.TheproposedHorizonEuropeCitiesMissionwill,throughademand-drivenandcross-sectoralapproachalignedwiththezeropollutionambition,support100citiesintheirtransitiontowardsclimateneutralityby2030,toinspireotherEuropeancitiestobeclimateneutralby2050andcontributesubstantiallytoreducingurbanpollution.Flagship6:ShowcasingzeropollutionsolutionsforbuildingsFrom2022onwards,theCommissionwillshowcasefromtherenovationwavestrategyandNewEuropeanBauhausinitiativehowbuildingprojectsandtheuseofLocalDigitalTwinscanalsocontributetozeropollutionobjectivesbyapplyingprinciplesbasedon‘beautiful,sustainable,together’.TheseresultswillalsocontributetotheimplementationoftheEnergyEfficiencyDirective,withimprovedhousingandlesspollutionfrom,inandaroundbuildings,alongwithmoneysaving.Flagship7:LivingLabsforgreendigitalsolutionsandsmartzeropollutionIn2021,theCommissionwill,togetherwithpartners,launchLivingLabs103forgreendigitalsolutionsandsmartzeropollutiontoengagewithregionalandlocalauthorities(forexamplethroughtheLiving-in.eucommunity)andotherstakeholderstohelpdeveloplocalactionsforgreenanddigitaltransformation104whichcontributetotheEuropeanDigitalGreenCoalition105andtheEuropeanClimatePact.By2023,theLivingLabmemberswilldeveloprecommendationsonusingforaclimateandenvironment-friendlyuseofdigitalsolutionstoacceleratezeropollutionefforts,withaparticularfocusoncitizenengagement.102https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/urban-environment/green-city-accord_en103BuildingonexperiencesatEU(e.g.EuropeanNetworkofLivingLabs)orMemberStatelevel(e.g.GermanDigitalPolicyAgendafortheEnvironment);LivingLabsaimtointegrateresearchandinnovationprocessesinreallifecommunitiesandsettings.Theyoperateasintermediariesamongcitizens,researchorganisations,companies,citiesandregionsforjointvalueco-creation,rapidprototypingorvalidationtoscaleupinnovationandbusinesses.104SeeEnvironmentCouncilConclusions2020:‘DigitalisationforthebenefitoftheEnvironment’.105https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/companies-take-action-support-green-and-digital-transformation-eu183.3.PromotingworldwidechangeforzeropollutionPollutiondoesnotstopatborders.TheEUwillthuspromotethezeropollutionambitionforatoxic-freeenvironmentinitsexternalaction,includingitsGreenDealdiplomacyandinvestments,providingexpertiseandfinancialresourcestoscaleupinternationalpartnershipsandactioninandwiththirdcountries.Inlinewiththemostrecentpolicyandregionalstrategies106,theEUwillcloselycooperatewithenlargementpartnersandourclosestneighboursintheSouthandtheEast,aswellastheUKandEFTApartners,onpollutionchallengesnotleastfortheratificationandeffectiveimplementationofrelevantmultilateralagreementsonpollution.Cooperationwithnon-EUNordiccountries,theUS,CanadaandRussiawillalsobeimportant,includingcontinuedcollaborationinrelevantinternationalfora,tobetterprotecttheArcticregion’sfragileenvironmentfrompollution-relateddamage.Inparticular,theEUwilladvanceinternationalcooperationonblackcarbon107policiestoreducetheclimatechangeimpactsandimproveairquality.TheEUwillalsoengagewithmajorinternationalpartners,particularlyamongtheG20anditsvastnetworkofbilateraltradeagreements,toadvanceaglobalzeropollutionagenda,withanemphasisonhealthandpollutionprevention,andworktowardscreatingmarketopportunitiesforgreentechnologies,goods,servicesandinvestments.Itwillalsopromotethezeropollutionambitionthroughdevelopmentandinvestmentpoliciesevaluatepollution-relatedimpactsintradepolicyinitiativesandfreetradeagreements,andstrengthenimplementationandenforcementofTradeandSustainableDevelopmentchapters.Atthemultilaterallevel,theEUwill:continuesupportinginternationalactionforzeropollutionandimplementationofthepolluterpaysprinciple108,inlinewiththeSDGsandfollowinguponresolutionsbytheUnitedNationsEnvironmentAssembly109,notablytheimplementationplan“Towardsapollution-freeplanet”110andMissionInnovation111;continueleadingontheworkforanambitiouspost-2020internationalframeworkforthesoundmanagementofchemicalsandwaste;enhanceactionsundertheBasel,Rotterdam,StockholmandMinamataConventionsonwasteelectricandelectronicequipment,hazardouschemicals,persistentorganicpollutantsandmercury;promoteaglobalagreementonplastics112.TheEUwillalsoaimtoensurethatpollutioniseffectivelytackledaspartofanambitiouspost-2020globalframeworkonbiodiversityatthe15thConferenceofthePartiestotheConventiononBiologicalDiversity.TheCommissionwillencouragepartnercountriestoimprovetheirpolicyandregulatoryframeworksandputinplacetherightincentivestoreducepollution,notablythroughtheuseofgreenbudgetingandenvironmentaltaxes113.Furthermore,theupcominginitiativeon106SeeCOM(2020)641,SWD(2020)223,JOIN(2020)7,JOIN(2021)2.107Blackcarbon—commonlyknownassoot—isatinyparticleformedbytheincompleteburningoffossilfuels,blendedandsyntheticfuels,andbiomass.108COM(2020)313.109Resolutionsone.g.air,waterandsoilpollution;chemicalsandwaste;marinelitter;singleuseplastics110https://www.unenvironment.org/ietc/resources/publication/towards-pollution-free-planet111http://mission-innovation.net/112cfCOM(2020)98.113Inmanydevelopingcountries,increasingtheamountofrevenuesraisedthroughtaxationofpollutioncanreducestatedependenceonaidanddebtfinancing,andhelpmobilisingdomesticresourcesforpublicservices.As19sustainablecorporategovernancewillintroduceduediligencedutiesacrosseconomicvaluechains,includingasregardsenvironmentalimpactsrelatedtobusinessoperations..TheCommissionwillstepuptheintegrationofthezeropollutionambitioninEUexternalactionprogrammessupportingthetransitiontolowemissionsandcirculareconomies,sustainableurbandevelopment,cleanenergyandcleancookingsolutions,waterandsanitation,climateandenvironmentaction,health,sustainablemobilityandagriculture.TheCommissionwillalsoenhanceitscooperationwithinternationalpartnerstoensurethesafetyofproductsexportedtoEU’sonlineandofflinemarketsforconsumers.TheCommissionwillexplorewaystoincludeastrongerhealthandpollutionagendainternationally,includingbypayingcloserattentiontoenvironmentaldeterminantsofnon-communicablediseasesinEU-fundedhealthprogrammes.Furthermore,theCommissionwillworkwiththeTripartitePlusorganisations(WHO,FAO,OIE,UNEP)toreacharenewedglobalandeffectiveOneHealthconsensusonenvironmentalpollution.TheCommissionwillsupportglobalactionontheexportofend-of-lifevehicles(ELVs)andusedvehiclesandencouragetheadoptionofstrongerrulesontheimportsofthemostpollutingusedvehicles,notablyinAfrica.InlinewiththeEU’sinternationalcommitments,itwillalsoproposenewrulesonexportsofELVs,notablytobetterdistinguishusedcarsfromELVsandexplorelinkingusedvehicleexportstocompliancewithEUrequirements,e.g.on,roadworthinessandemissions.Wasteelectricalandelectronicequipment(WEEE)andwastebatteriesareamongthefastestgrowingwastestreams,notablyindevelopingcountries.TheCommissionwillsupportinitiatives,notablythroughtheBaselConvention,tobettermonitorinternationaltradeforthesewastestreamsandimprovetheirmanagement.Inparticular,theincreaseduseofcars,solarpowerandICTtechnologyhasvastlyexpandedtheuseofleadacidbatteriesindevelopingcountries.Theirofteninformalrecyclingexposespeople,toharmfulleadpollutionwithamajorimpactonchildrenandtheirdevelopment.TheCommissionwillexploreaglobalinitiativewithinternationalpartnerstoendinformalrecyclingofusedleadacidbatteries.Flagship8:MinimisingtheEU’sexternalpollutionfootprintAsof2021,theCommissionwillpromoteglobalzeropollutioninallrelevantinternationalforaandworkwiththeEUMemberStatesandstakeholderstosignificantlyreducetheEU’sexternalpollutionfootprint,notablybyproposing,inlinewithEUinternationalcommitments,torestricttheexportofcertainproductswhicharenolongerallowedintheEUmarket,andwastesthathaveharmfulenvironmentalimpactsinthirdcountries.ThiswillultimatelyreduceEUglobalpollutionfootprintandbenefitthird-countrycitizens’healthandenvironment.3.4.Trackingprogress,anticipatingtrendsandmainstreamingzeropollutionTointegratethemonitoringofdifferenttypesofpollutionandassesstheirhealth,environmental,economicandsocialimpacts,theCommission,inpartnershipwithrelevantEUagencies114,willdevelopanintegratedZeroPollutionMonitoringandOutlookFramework115aspartofthewider8thEnvironmentActionProgramme(EAP)monitoring.Resultsofrelevantinnovativeenvironmentaltaxesarehardertoevadethan,forinstance,corporateorpersonalincometaxes,theycanalsostrengthenstateaccountability,improvetaxmoraleandenhancefiscalgovernance,seehttps://www.oecd.org/environment/tools-evaluation/environmentaltaxation.htm114Inparticular,theEuropeanEnvironmentAgency(EEA),theEuropeanChemicalsAgency(ECHA),theEuropeanFoodSafetyAgency(EFSA)andtheEuropeanMaritimeSafetyAgency(EMSA).115SWD(2021)140.20research,suchasonhumanbiomonitoring116,exposome117,soilhealth118orpollinators119willneedtobebettertakenonboardtoprovidelong-termdatacollectionandcontributetotheoutlookefforts.TocomplementtheZeroPollutionMonitoringandOutlookwithafocusonhealthimpacts,theEEAwilldevelopa‘EuropeanEnvironmentandHealthAtlas’whichcanalsosubsequentlyfeedintothe‘EuropeanClimateandHealthObservatory’120.TheZeroPollutionMonitoringandOutlookFrameworkIntegratedmonitoringofpollutionwillsubstantiallysupportbettergovernanceonzeropollutionbyofferingnewinsightsintooverallpollutionlevelsandimpactsandbymonitoringwhetherpolicyimplementationisontracktoachieveagreedobjectivesatEUandnationallevel,alsoaspartoftheregularEnvironmentImplementationReviewsandofthe8thEAPmonitoring.TheZeroPollutionOutlookwillanalysesynergiesandtrade-offsbetweendifferentEUpolicies,helptranslate‘earlywarnings’intorecommendationsonpollutantsofincreasingconcernbasedonthelatestresearchfindings(e.g.onultrafineparticlesorlightpollution).ThefirstZeroPollutionMonitoringandOutlookReportisplannedfor2022.Buildingonthemonitoringandoutlook,theCommission,incooperationwiththeCommitteeoftheRegions,willsetupanewZeroPollutionStakeholderPlatformtobringtogetherstakeholdersandexpertsofdifferentpolicyareas(e.g.health,agriculture,researchandinnovation,transport,digitalisationandtheenvironment)toeffectivelymainstreamthezeropollutionagenda,helpcreateco-ownership,promotecollaborationandfosterintegratedsolutionsandactionsthatmaximisesynergieswithdecarbonisationandpost-COVID19recoveryefforts.Itwilldevelopandsharegoodpracticesoncross-cuttingtopicssuchasfinancingforzeropollutioninnovationandjobs,boostingsustainableproductionandconsumptionaswellascreatingthematichubssuchasaGreenDigitalSolutionsHub,aCleanAirTechHubandaSoilPollutionHub.TheZeroPollutionStakeholderPlatformwillalsoestablishsynergieswithotherrelevantinitiatives,suchastheEuropeanClimatePact.ThisregularandinteractivedialogueandcollaborationwithMemberStates,businesses,non-governmentalorganisations,academiaandotherstakeholderswillalsohelppreparethesecondZeroPollutionMonitoringandOutlookReportby2024.Flagship9:ConsolidatingtheEU’sKnowledgeCentresforZeroPollutionFrom2021onwards,theCommissionwillconsolidatetherolesoftheEuropeanEnvironmentAgency(EEA)121andtheCommission’sJointResearchCentre(JRC)122astheEU’sKnowledgeCentresofExcellenceforZeroPollutionMonitoringandOutlook,andbringtogetherrelevantplayersintheZeroPollutionStakeholderPlatformtoexchangealsoonbestavailabledataandinformthepublic,inparticularthroughtheupcomingAirQualityIndexApp.116https://www.hbm4eu.eu/117https://www.humanexposome.eu/118Landuseandlandcoversurvey.119EUPollinatorInformationHiveaspartoftheEUPollinatorsInitiative,COM(2018)395.120https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/observatory121InclosecollaborationwiththeEuropeanChemicalsAgency(ECHA),theEuropeanMaritimeSafetyAgency(EMSA),theEuropeanFoodSafetyAgency(EFSA)andotherrelevantagencies.122InclosecollaborationwithotherCommissiondepartments,inparticularEurostat.214.CONCLUSIONSThisactionplancomesatatimewhentheEUhassetitselfthetargetofachievingclimateneutralityby2050andhasembracedwithreneweddeterminationtheneedtomovetowardsacleanandcirculareconomicmodelbasedonrestoredandhealthynaturalecosystems,ahalttoanyfurtherbiodiversitylossandahealthy,toxic-freeenvironmentforallitscitizens.Itsetsoutthevisionofapollution-freeworldandcombinesalltheongoingandplannedeffortsinanintegratedstrategythatputspollutionpreventionfirst.Asmanyworkstrandsareongoingoronlystartingtodeliverresults,by2025theCommissionwilltakestockofthedegreeofimplementationofthisactionplan,buildingonthesecondZeroPollutionMonitoringandOutlookReport.Itwillidentifywhetherfurtheractionisneededtoaddressemergingconcernsandreviewthetargets,flagshipsandactionsidentifiedsofar,sothatthisdecadesetstheEUonthepathwaytozeropollutionasakeycomponentoftheEuropeanGreenDealgoals.
VIP
