European Parliament’s Commitment to Cleaner Air by 2035

In a bold and dynamic move last month, the European Parliament took a significant step toward addressing air pollution and ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for European citizens. The vote, which saw 363 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in favor, 226 against, and 46 abstentions, resulted in the adoption of a revised law aimed at improving air quality in the European Union (EU).

Data Holds the Key

While the alignment of EU air quality standards with the recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO) is indeed great news and very welcome, it’s crucial to recognise that the WHO emphasises the pivotal role of data in the global fight against air pollution.

To go one step further and truly make a difference, we must adopt an innovative and scientific approach, a hybrid strategy that combines the monitoring ‘supersites’ with an additional layer of street-level air quality data in real time provided by AirScape’s dense sensor network. The WHO’s recent guidance underscores the importance of comprehensive data collection and management.

MEPs have rightly emphasised the need to standardise air quality indices across the EU and make air quality information more accessible with hourly updates. Incorporating AirScape’s data into this system aligns with the WHO’s recommendation that every country should have access to reference-grade monitors and multiple methods for a comprehensive air quality management knowledge base.

This data, instantaneously available to the public via airscape.ai, empowers individuals to safeguard their health and advocate for progressive air quality policies, aligning perfectly with the WHO’s call to action for data-driven air quality management.

The European Parliament’s commitment to addressing air pollution is great news, and the alignment with WHO guidelines is a significant step. However, embracing a hybrid approach that combines established monitoring stations with AirScape’s innovative sensor network can further enhance our efforts to achieve cleaner air and a healthier environment.

The Next Steps for Cleaner Air

With the European Parliament’s position now established, attention turns to the European Council, representing national governments. The council will likely define its negotiation position this year, with hopes of reaching a political agreement with the Parliament by mid-next year, ultimately leading to the adoption of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD).

This alignment is set to take effect by 2035, five years later than the initial recommendation put forth by the Environment Committee. While the stricter standards have been welcomed, there is some frustration that it will be over a decade before people can benefit from these improvements.

This move by the European Parliament demonstrates a commitment to addressing the critical issue of air pollution and aligning EU standards with global health recommendations. As we collectively strive for cleaner air and a healthier future, AirScape is proud to be part of the solution.

For further insight, the WHO’s recent statement highlighting the key role of data in tackling air pollution globally is here.

This paper by our talented team in Copenhagen was published in the prestigious international peer-reviewed journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. They used data from the Staffordshire network to answer the question, ‘Are dense networks of low-cost nodes better at monitoring air pollution?’

They found that the dense network sees a lot of pollution that is not seen by the regional monitoring stations, and that additional local pollution is what pushes concentrations over the WHO exposure threshold. The local component of pollution is large and often invisible to the regional stations.

‘We determine that at least 54.3 ± 4.3 % of NO 2 is from local sources, whereas in contrast, only 37.9 ± 3.5 % of PM 2.5 is local.’

Air pollution exhibits hyper-local variation, especially near emissions sources. In addition to people’s time-activity patterns, this variation is the most critical element determining exposure.

Compared to conventional air pollution monitoring stations, nodes containing low-cost air pollution sensors can be deployed with very high density.

In this study, a network of 18 AirNodes using low-cost air pollution sensors was deployed in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK, in June 2020.

‘The network average NO2 concentration was 12.5 µg m−3 higher than values reported by a nearby regional air quality monitoring station. This demonstrates the critical importance of monitoring close to sources before pollution is diluted.’

We found that data from our low-cost air pollution sensor network revealed insights into patterns of air pollution, and helped determine whether sources were local or non-local.

Read the full paper here

Wherever you stand on the pros and cons of Electric Vehicles (EVs), increasing the use of EVs will undoubtedly improve air quality.

At AirScape, we measure hyper-local air pollution in real time.  At street level, electric vehicles provide clear benefits for local air quality, with zero exhaust emissions.

Of course, even electric vehicles generate particulate matter through road, tyre, and brake wear. And they carry a hefty carbon footprint in their manufacture and in the production of batteries.  However, according to a 2021 study by the International Council on Transportation, emissions over the lifetime of electric vehicles in Europe are 66% to 69% lower than those from petrol cars.

Switching to electric vehicles could also help to minimise noise pollution, especially in cities where speeds are typically low and traffic is frequently at a standstill.

Another study in the US found that the use of EVs leads to substantial air pollution health and other benefits.

“Incentivizing a rapid uptake of EVs will improve population health nearly immediately as most benefits of reduced mortality attributable to air pollution accrue in the short term.”

Ernani F.Choma, John S.Evans, James K.Hammitt, José A.Gómez-Ibáñez & John D.Spenglerb

We installed our award-winning AirNodes at five locations in Cork, Ireland, which show that there are measurable improvements in air quality where there are no diesel and petrol engines. The success of Cork’s award-winning pedestrianisation project is also being hailed as a major step in making the city a much safer and healthier environment. 

Now AirScape in Camden is giving us minute-by-minute air quality data at street level. The expanded ULEZ and other initiatives are helping to clean up London’s air. More good news is that, according to the ONS, over half of younger drivers are likely to switch to electric in the next decade.

We’ll soon be able to see the improvements in air quality on London’s streets, at airscape.ai, and also see where there’s still room for improvement.

AirScape’s Chief Science Officer, Professor Matthew Johnson says:

“We do see the benefit of banning traffic on air quality in the centre of Cork. We’re watching AirScape in Camden closely to see how the shift in the composition of the vehicle fleet takes effect in London.”