2013 has been declared by the European Commission as the European Year of Air Quality, which aims to combat air pollution and introduce new measures to alleviate it. In addition to reviewing air policies at all levels (European, national, regional and local).

2013 has been declared by the European Commission as the European Year of Air Quality, which aims to combat air pollution and introduce new measures to alleviate it. In addition to reviewing air policies at all levels (European, national, regional and local).

On the occasion of this celebration, the Council of Ministers approved, on 12 April 2013, the National Plan for Air Quality and Protection of the Atmosphere 2013-2016 (AIRE Plan), an initiative that includes 78 measures aimed at reducing pollution and improving air quality in cities.

Among the main objectives, the plan seeks to reduce the levels of emissions into the atmosphere of the most relevant pollutants with the greatest impact on health and ecosystems, and to promote public awareness by improving information.

In the diagnosis of the current situation, it is noted that in Spain there are frequent and widespread exceedances of the tropospheric ozone target values, the high concentration of particles and nitrogen dioxide is also highlighted, with the legally established values being exceeded relatively frequently.

This theme is one of the key programs for the Biodiversity Foundation that collaborates with the MAGRAMA in achieving the following results:

• Identify challenges and solutions based on the Air Plan.
• To hold public events and specific conferences aimed at different sectors of society.
• Conduct a specific workshop for journalists.
• Include in the Call for Grants for the implementation of activities in the field of biodiversity, climate change and sustainable development a programme called: “Prevention, reduction and control of pollution and promotion of health through the improvement of air quality”, included in the line of Fight against climate change.
• Work on the assessment and management of air quality in protected natural areas.
• Work on the analysis of tropospheric ozone.
• Develop a decalogue about air quality and health.
• Edit awareness materials.
• Creation of a web platform on health and air quality.
• Good Practices in the improvement of air quality.

Thus, within the framework of this call, the execution of four projects related to Air Quality and Health is being supported:

1. “Air-Health Alliance” project executed by the Foundation for Health Research (FUINSA).

2. Project “Preliminary assessment of air quality levels in protected natural areas in Spain” executed by the Defence University Centre of Zaragoza.

3. Project “Ozone Pollution in Spain (CONOZE)” executed by the Centre for Environmental Studies of the Mediterranean.

4. Project “Health and air quality. On-line magazine and web platform” executed by the Ecology and Development Foundation (ECODES).

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment has approved the PIMA Aire Plan, initially aimed at commercial vehicles, but extended on 2 August 2013 to passenger cars for companies. The aim of the Plan is to significantly reduce polluting gas and CO2 emissions from large cities.

This Plan has an endowment of 38 million euros and will create more than 700 jobs.

Related news:

National Air Quality Plan approved

2013 declared the Year of the Air by the European Commission

The European Environment Agency presents the report ‘Air implementation pilot – Lessons learnt from the implementation of air quality legislation at urbal level. The publication aims to learn about the application of European legislation on air quality in cities. The text is the result of a pilot project implemented in twelve cities, including Madrid.

Links:

2013: Kicking off the “Year of Air”

Air pollution threat highlighted at launch of 2013 Year of Air

Quick guide to air pollution and the ‘Year of Air’ in 2013

Europe aims to make 2013 the “Year of Air”

Policy Workshop: EU Year of Air – how can we reduce air pollution to improve health?

The new PIMA Aire Plan has been approved to improve air quality in Spain through the renewal of the commercial vehicle fleet