"Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform" Newsletter Issues

4th meeting of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform held on 20 April (21/04/2023)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (ZPSP) held its 4th meeting on 20 April, focusing on zero pollution for production and consumption, as well as local efforts and initiatives to develop green and digital transformation actions across Europe.

Making Zero Pollution Integration Across Policies Work (21/04/2023)

On 14 March, a thematic workshop titled "Making Zero Pollution Integration Across Policies Work" was held, with a focus on enhancing pollution prevention and reduction through cross-cutting approaches in policy making and implementation.

Zero Pollution urban and regional scoreboard workshop (27/04/2023)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform held a workshop on an Urban and Regional Scoreboard on 25 April, focusing on environmental themes, impacts, indicators, aggregation, and visualisation of scoreboards for Zero Pollution objectives.

Zero Pollution: EU urges stronger action on noise reduction (21/04/2023)

The European Commission has published a report on progress made by the Member States towards reducing noise pollution through the implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive, calling for stronger action to achieve 30% reduction target.

Ending greenwashing for Zero Pollution (21/04/2023)

In March 2023 the European Commission proposed criteria against greenwashing and misleading environmental claims. Holding businesses accountable for their impact will help provide clarity for consumers, protect the environment and reduce pollution.

EU reaffirms Zero Pollution pledges at UN Water Conference (21/04/2023)

The UN Water Conference in March 2023 highlighted the need to address the global water crisis, with the EU bringing its commitments to reduce water pollution, restore rivers, improve risk management, and promote transboundary water cooperation.

World leaders pledge towards Zero Pollution at historic COP15 (21/04/2023)

The new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopts a target to reduce pollution risks and negative impacts by 2030, including excess nutrient loss to the environment, risks related to pesticides, hazardous chemicals and plastic pollution.

LIFE funding opportunities, with support for Zero Pollution (24/04/2023)

On 18 April, the European Commission launched the LIFE Programme’s 2023 Calls for project proposals, announcing €611 million for pollution reduction, ecodesign, circular economy, environmental protection, climate action, and clean energy transition.

Save the date: EU Green Week 2023 (05/06/2023)

Join the conference on 6-7 June for the latest on EU environmental policy, in particular on zero pollution. Throughout the week, schools, universities, business associations, NGOs and governments will organise partner events across Europe and beyond.

Zero Pollution Stakeholder Workshop: Towards an urban and regional scoring methodology for zero pollution (25/04/2023)

On 25 April, the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will host a workshop on the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan Flagships 2 and 3: Towards an urban and regional scoring methodology for zero pollution. Flagship 2 aims to reward cities in their effort to combat air, water, and soil pollution in the timeframe 2021-2023. Flagship 3 seeks to measure green performance of regions in reaching pollution targets, with a scoreboard to award regions reporting the most progress. Further information and registration is available through the link below:

Zero Pollution Stakeholder Conference (03/03/2023)

If the EU is to achieve its 2030 targets, much stronger action on the Zero Pollution Ambition is needed. This was one of the key takeaways from December’s Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform conference on 14 December 2022.

2030 Zero pollution targets in reach but need stronger action (03/03/2023)

On 8 December 2022, the Commission published its first Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report. It provides an integrated assessment of air, water and soil pollution and forms the evidence basis for the Commission’s Zero Pollution Ambition.

New EU industry norms to contribute to Zero Pollution Ambition (03/03/2023)

The Commission has adopted new norms under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive to make the chemical and textile industry more compliant with the Zero Pollution ambition. Some 3000 chemical and 300 textile plants will have to comply with the new legal norms.

Committee of the Regions’ opinion on the Industrial Emissions Directive for Zero Pollution (07/03/2023)

In October 2022, the Committee of the Regions adopted an opinion on the 'Revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive', including proposals to address industrial pollution such as directing penalties and compensatory payments to cities and regions.

New Ferrous Metal Norms to implement the Zero Pollution Ambition (03/03/2023)

The European Commission has adopted stricter norms to reduce the environmental impact of ferrous metal processing plants. The decision is set to contribute significantly towards the reduction of water and soil pollution under the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Horizon Europe 2023-24 programme supports Zero Pollution (07/03/2023)

On 6 December, the European Commission adopted the Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24, announcing €13.5 billion investment for research and innovation action, with the first calls for proposals on Zero Pollution now being open.

Green infrastructure: Rainwater cleaned and stored for urban irrigation (07/03/2023)

As part of its revitalisation of Cromvlietpark, The Hague has implemented an urban waterbuffer. Rainwater is directed to a 30m² biofilter and purified for storage in a 35,000m³ aquifer. The clean water irrigates the local park and urban farm.

Report on Horizon projects supporting Zero Pollution (07/03/2023)

A new report covers Horizon 2020 projects’ contribution to the nine flagships of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, as well as Horizon Europe projects and partnerships and the five EU missions’ contribution to the Zero Pollution ambition.

Workshop: Zero Pollution Integration Across Policies (14/03/2023)

This 1-day stakeholder workshop on “Making Zero Pollution Integration Across Policies Work” will be held on 14 March 2023. The workshop will discuss effective improvements of pollution prevention and reduction. Taking a look at existing initiatives, it will consider cross-cutting approaches and foster an integrated zero pollution philosophy for policy making and implementation.

Fourth ZPSP Member State Steering Committee meeting (15/03/2023)

The fourth meeting of the Member State Steering Committee of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will take place on 15 March 2023.

Fifth Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform meeting (20/04/2023)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will hold its fifth meeting on 20 April 2023.

Save the date: EU Green Week 2023 (05/06/2023)

Join the conference on 6-7 June for the latest on EU environmental policy, in particular on zero pollution. Throughout the week, schools, universities, business associations, NGOs and governments will organise partner events across Europe and beyond.

EU pledging initiatives and their role in the zero pollution ambition (17/10/2022)

As part of a new study for the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform, recommendations to the EU pledging initiatives suggest improving their link to zero pollution dimensions to ensure the better implementation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Zero Pollution: EC proposes rules for cleaner air and water (31/10/2022)

On 26 October, the European Commission proposed stronger rules against pollution through revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the list of controlled surface and groundwater pollutants.

Zero Pollution Going Local: CoR call for EU Green Deal Best Practices (18/10/2022)

The European Committee of the Regions is launching a new call for best practices to collect and promote projects that address low-carbon, sustainability and zero pollution in air, water, and soil.

New European green funding guide to support zero pollution (14/10/2022)

The new guide, ‘Find your EU funding programme for the environment’ was published by the European Commission in July 2022, to support investment in zero pollution solutions amongst others.

3rd meeting of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform held on the 11 October (18/10/2022)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (ZPSP) held its 3rd meeting on 11 October, focusing on the Zero Pollution Action Plan’s role in supporting cities and regions to reduce water, air and soil pollution in the EU.

Zero Pollution: a driver for sustainability (18/10/2022)

As part of the European Week of Cities and Regions, the European Commission and Committee of the Regions hosted a High-Level Workshop on ‘Zero Pollution: a driver for sustainability’ on Tuesday 11 October 2022.

3rd ZPSP Member State Steering Group meeting (18/10/2022)

The third meeting of the Member State Steering Committee of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (ZPSP) took place on 29 September 2022 to discuss the implementation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Zero Pollution Stakeholder Conference (14/12/2022)

The registration of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Conference is now open. Please find the link to register below. The Conference will take place in Brussels, Belgium on 14 December 2022, focusing on the first Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook, with a high-level session in the morning and parallel seminars in the afternoon.

"EU missions will tackle pressing global challenges": Interview with Markku Markkula (23/05/2022)

“EU Missions will tackle pressing global challenges”, said Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), member of Espoo City Council, President of the Helsinki Region and rapporteur of the Committee of Regions on the European Missions. In this interview, Mr. Markkula explains how he thinks the EU Missions will accelerate the efforts on green and digital transitions and how the missions will work towards climate neutrality.

Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Workshop - Report (26/05/2022)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform held its first workshop on 24-25 May under the title “Towards a Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook”. The event included preparations for the first Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook and the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP). The agenda, background document, presentations at the event and the FORENV Synthesis Report are available at the following link, and a summary of the event will be published soon.

2nd meeting of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (23/05/2022)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform held its second meeting on 25 April. The focus of the meeting was on the Zero Pollution Action Plan as a key driver for reducing health inequalities in the EU. Some of the main takeaways from the meeting include that health inequalities in the EU can and must be urgently addressed, and that the Zero Pollution Action Plan will contribute through its dedicated flagship initiative on "Reducing health inequalities through zero pollution".

A new Action Tracker for the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (23/05/2022)

The Zero Pollution Action Plan set out 9 flagship initiatives and 33 actions. Active stakeholder involvement will be essential to implement them. We will provide you with regular information on their implementation through this newsletter and the newly published Actions Tracker now available at the following link:

The 2020-21 Foresight for the Environment report on Zero Pollution foresight has been published (23/05/2022)

In 2017, the Environment Knowledge Community (EKC), established the EU foresight system for the systematic identification of emerging environmental issues (FORENV). FORENV has now completed its third annual cycle, resulting in a report on the emerging issues impacting the delivery of a zero-pollution ambition by 2050. It includes priority emerging issues, clusters of changes and key questions for zero pollution policies. The report is available at the following link:

Peer to Peer Workshop on zero pollution implementation: videos online (23/05/2022)

On 9 February, a workshop introduced the EU Action Plan: “Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil” (COM(2021) 400) to provide advice and guidance particularly on implementation and compliance aspects of the Action Plan to work upstream with Member States to ensure rapid and accurate transposition and promoting all available tools. European Commission experts presented experiences and plans on the key pieces of legislation in the area of air, water and industrial emissions. Videos of the workshop, including presentations, are now available at the following link:

Revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) (23/05/2022)

In April, the European Commission adopted proposals for revised EU measures to address pollution from large industrial installations through revision of the IED and the E-PRTR Regulation (to create the Industrial Emissions Portal). In line with the European Green Deal, the overall aim of these proposals is to progress towards the EU’s zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment and to support climate, energy and circular economy policies.

New proposals to make sustainable products the norm (23/05/2022)

In March, the Commission presented a package of European Green Deal proposals to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, boost circular business models and empower consumers for the green transition. By reviewing the Ecodesign Directive and proposing additional legislative measures, the initiative’s goal is to make products on the EU market more sustainable, including by cutting pollution.

Destination Earth: a digital model to predict the effects and build resilience to climate-change (23/05/2022)

Destination Earth (DestinE) is part of the European Commission’s Green Deal and Digital Strategy. It aims to develop a digital model of the Earth. Such a model allows to monitor and predict interaction between natural phenomena and human activities. This initiative is key to predicting effects of anthropogenic activity and developing climate-change resilience.

Horizon Missions and Funding opportunities for R&I related to Zero Pollution (23/05/2022)

The Horizon Missions are a tool of the EU R&I policy to address and tackle complex challenges in the areas of climate, environment and health by 2030. The first round of upcoming calls will open on 12 May and the second round on 24 May 2022. Open and upcoming calls can be followed at the following link.

Horizon Europe budget boost to support green, health and digital innovations (23/05/2022)

The European Commission has boosted the Horizon Europe budget by nearly €562 million to further support EU Missions towards innovative solutions to green, health and digital challenges and more actions to boost the European innovation ecosystem. The programme's budget for 2021 and 2022 now reaches a total of nearly €16 billion.

EU Green Week: Session 2 - Zero Pollution - Who pays the price for pollution? (31/05/2022)

Pollution affects health and biodiversity, but all too often those who cause pollution do not fully pay for all the consequences. And it is often the most vulnerable in society who pay the price. Assigning a right price to pollution and creating incentives for alternatives, as required by the polluter pays principle, constitute a key driver to stimulate cleaner production and consumption. During this session of the EU Green Week conference on 31 May 2020, the speakers will discuss how we can better implement the polluter pays principle and thereby complete the phasing out of "pollution for free".

Next ZPSP Member State Steering Group meeting (29/09/2022)

The next meeting of the Member State Steering Committee of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will take place in Brussels, Belgium on 29 September 2022.

Next Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform meeting (11/10/2022)

The third meeting of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will take place in Brussels, Belgium on 11 October 2022.

Save the date: 1st Zero Pollution Stakeholder conference (14/12/2022)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (ZPSP) will hold its first conference in Brussels, Belgium on 14 December. More details will be available soon via the ZPSP website and newsletter.

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform launched (22/03/2022)

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions. It brings together stakeholders and experts of different policy areas, aiming at creating co-ownership, promoting collaboration, and fostering integrated solutions to maximise synergies with decarbonisation and post-COVID 19 recovery efforts. This newsletter will support the communication activities through the dissemination of the latest developments, news, events and knowledge related to the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.

European Green Deal: First meeting of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (23/03/2022)

The members of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform met on 16 December for the first time to start developing the work programme for 2022-2024. The work programme will define the measures to be taken for implementing the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan.

The Committee of the Regions opinion on Zero Pollution (23/03/2022)

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) welcomed the European Commission's Communication on the EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil', its focus on health and its cross-cutting approach. The CoR looks forward to the announced actions and proposals and calls for them to be coherent and consistent with each other and with other relevant Green Deal initiatives.

Interview with Marieke Schouten, co-chair of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform (22/03/2022)

"Pollution does not stop at borders. It is a global issue that requires local solutions", says Marieke Schouten (NL/Greens) in this interview. The Alderman of the municipality of Nieuwegein and co-chair of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform defends the concept of 'One Health' and the need to support local and regional authorities to deliver solutions adapted to each territory.

Horizon Missions and Funding opportunities for R&I related to Zero Pollution (22/03/2022)

The Horizon Missions are a new instrument of EU R&I policy to address complex societal problems and achieve ambitious goals in the areas of health, climate and environment by 2030.

Cancer Inequalities Register launched (22/03/2022)

The European Cancer Inequalities Registry was officially launched on 8 February, a flagship initiative joining efforts between the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. It includes some air quality data already but further efforts will be made to link more pollution data with the Register.

Sustainable Consumption Pledges help the drive towards Zero Pollution (23/03/2022)

The Commission invites companies to take a voluntary pledge to support sustainable consumption, beyond what is required by law. The application process is open!

Implementing and enforcing zero pollution laws - workshop (23/03/2022)

This peer learning event introduced and provided advice on implementation and compliance aspects of the EU Action Plan: “Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil”. The attendants were EU Member States, representatives from the Committee of the Regions and several experts/speakers who shared their knowledge and experience in Europe

Side event at UNEA5.2: A 'zero pollution ambition' to protect nature and people (23/03/2022)

This high-level side event organised by DG Environment, took place on 1 March. It aimed at setting out the challenges arising from pollution for achieving nature and biodiversity goals.

Air Quality: Revision of EU Rules – Stakeholder Meeting (04/04/2022)

As part of the process ‘Air quality: revision of EU rules’, the European Commission is looking to consult a wide range of stakeholders – including at two stakeholder meetings. This second stakeholder meeting will receive feedback from stakeholders that will assist in the completion of the Commission’s Impact Assessment for the revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives.

Zero Pollution Action Plan Flagship 7 Launch Event (04/04/2022)

The launch event for Flagship 7, “Living Labs for green digital solutions and smart zero pollution” will take place on 4 April, 09.00-10.00. It marks the starting point for the communication of the Joint Working Group’s activities to a wider audience.

Second Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform Meeting (25/04/2022)

The members of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform will hold a second meeting on 25 April.

EU Green Week (30/05/2022)

EU Green Week is an annual opportunity to debate European environmental policy with policymakers, leading environmentalists and stakeholders from Europe and beyond. This year's edition focuses on the European Green Deal - the EU’s sustainable and transformative growth strategy for a resource-efficient and climate-neutral Europe by 2050.