Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform Newsletter

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On 7 November, the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform hosted the third in its series of Zero Pollution Talks, this time focusing on the Soil Monitoring Law and the role of local and regional authorities and stakeholders for its implementation.

On 9 November, the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform’s fifth meeting focused on the Zero Pollution Action Plan’s role in the European Year of Skills, the New European Bauhaus, and the strategic research agenda for the Green Deal Transition.

On 17 October, the Member State Steering Committee of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform held its 5th meeting to discuss Zero Pollution at EU and national levels, focusing on the New European Bauhaus, the European Year of Skills, and the implementation progress of the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive set of legislative reforms under the “one substance, one assessment” package. The reform aims to streamline the evaluation of chemicals across EU legislation, enhance the knowledge base on chemicals, and ensure early identification and action on emerging chemical risks.

The European Commission welcomes a provisional agreement to strengthen regulations towards a cleaner, carbon-neutral, and more competitive economy by 2050. The new law is designed to encompass additional sources of emissions, enhance the effectiveness of permitting, reduce administrative costs, increase transparency, and provide greater support to innovative technologies.

The 4th EU Clean Air Forum held on 23-24 November united stakeholders to share experiences and best practices for improving clean air policies. Amid the ongoing revision of EU ambient air quality rules, the forum also marked the introduction of the European Air Quality Index app, highlighting the significance of transparent information for combating air pollution.

In a significant stride toward addressing plastic pollution, the International Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution has concluded its third session with a decision to proceed with the formulation of a draft treaty text. This crucial step paves the way towards a binding international agreement on plastic pollution and marks a pivotal moment in the global effort to advance Zero Pollution goals.

Despite strides in recent decades, the impacts of emissions from various sources persist, leading to 300,000 premature deaths annually in the EU. Euronews "The Road to Green 6," delves into the challenge of air pollution within European cities, explores its effects on health and the environment, and the ongoing efforts to pave the way towards cleaner air.

In the battle against marine plastic pollution, a new method has been developed by EU CLAIM project to help decision-makers choose effective clean-up technologies. This method shows promise in aligning with the goals of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water, and Soil.

On 24 and 25 January 2024, the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will host a workshop to discuss the lessons learned from the first and the preparations for the second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook. Registrations for in-person participation have closed, but you can read more about the workshop and still register for online participation via the links below.

Save the date for EU's leading environmental conference, taking place in Brussels 29-30 May, 2024. This edition will focus on recurring water-related crises, aiming to enhance the EU's water resilience for both present challenges and those of the future. Conference registration will open in April, with registrations for partner events set to run from 4 to 17 March.