Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission consults citizens and stakeholders on the evaluation of the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive.
The European Commission undertook an open public consultation on the evaluation of the National Emission Reduction Commitments (NEC) Directive. Citizens and stakeholders are requested to share their views on the NEC Directive via an online consultation that operates until 26 November 2024.
How Does the NEC Directive Aim to Reduce Air Pollution in the EU?
The evaluation of the NEC Directive will evaluate whether it effectively contributes to its goals – to safeguard human health and the environment by reducing national emissions of the five major air pollutants, namely fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), ammonia (NH3) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
One of the key purposes will also be to evaluate the applicability of this Directive because of evolving circumstances, in certain scientific and technical progress and the implementation of other EU climate and energy policies. The examination will also help to clarify any barriers to implementing the Directive and examine the potential for simplification and reduction of regulatory costs.
How Will the Evaluation Address Barriers to the NEC Directive’s Implementation?
The evaluation also includes a targeted stakeholder talk that collects views from an expert audience on detailed questions and a one-day stakeholder workshop, reported for 14 October 2024 in Brussels as a hybrid event. The EU Commission has contracted out a dedicated study to sustain the evaluation and the public and targeted stakeholder consultations.
According to the EU Commission, air pollution is the most significant environmental cause of premature mortality, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses, and it is among the major reasons for the loss of biodiversity. The EU has been handling air pollution since the 1970s, developing various instruments to enhance air quality and protect ecosystems.
The NEC Directive specifies national commitments to reduce emissions of five air pollutants (SO2, NOx, NMVOC, NH3 and PM2.5) for the period 2020-2029, and more ambitious decline commitments for 2030 and beyond. It includes (mandatory and voluntary) reporting of the emissions of different pollutants, without requiring their reduction over time.
