Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

RemovedAnnex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point e: (e) measures to encourage a modal shift from private vehicles towards active mobility and less polluting forms of transport (e.g. walking, cycling, public transport), including at least: / (i) strengthening the public transport network; / (ii) reducing the cost of public transport or eliminating it altogether for certain sectors of the population; / (iii) improving the infrastructure to create more space for people to walk and cycle safely; / (iv) economic incentives for the purchase of active and shared mobility solutions (e.g. bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters); / (v) scrappage schemes for the most polluting vehicles;

AddedAnnex VIII – title: Information to be included in air quality plans and air quality roadmaps for improvement in ambient air quality

RemovedAnnex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point g: (g) requiring the use of best available technologies to eliminate or, where it is not possible to eliminate, to reduce as much as possible emissions from small-, medium- and large-scale stationary sources and in mobile sources;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 2 – point a: (a) type of zone (urban, industrial, air pollution hotspot or rural area) or characteristics of NUTS 2 territorial unit (including urban, industrial, air pollution hotspot or rural areas);

RemovedAnnex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point h a (new): (ha) measures to reduce air pollution in hotspots, including in ports, establishing specific requirements for moored ships, boats and port traffic, while speeding-up on-shore power and electrification of ships and port working machinery;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 2 – point c: (c) concentrations or average exposure indicator of the relevant pollutant observed at least 5 years prior to the exceedance and comparison with limit values or average exposure reduction obligation and average exposure concentration objective;

RemovedAnnex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point h b (new): (hb) measures to reduce emissions from agriculture, including nitrogen management systems, taking into account the whole nitrogen cycle, livestock feeding strategies, low-emission manure spreading techniques, low-emission manure storage systems, low-emission animal housing systems, the reduction of animal number; while taking into account the upcoming revised UNECE Framework Code for Good Agricultural Practice for Reducing Ammonia Emissions;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 3 – paragraph 1: Names and addresses of the competent authorities responsible for the development and implementation of air quality plans or air quality roadmaps.

RemovedAnnex VIII – Part B – point 2 – point i: (i) measures to protect the health of children, such as school streets with limited or no access for cars, and measures to protect the health of other sensitive population and vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and people living with asthma or other respiratory or cardio-vascular conditions.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 3 a (new): 3a. Assessment of environmental impacts and health effects / (a) concentrations and exceedances recorded in previous years, before the start of implementation of the air quality plan, the updated air quality plan or the air quality roadmap; / (b) in the event of an updated air quality plan, concentrations and exceedances recorded since the beginning of the implementation of the measures set out in the updated air quality plan; / (c) assessment of environmental impacts and health effects related to the exposure of the population to measured concentrations, including assessment of mortality and morbidity from both acute and chronic health effects on both the general population and sensitive population and vulnerable groups; / (d) methods used for the assessment of environmental impacts, exposure and health effects. / Member States shall be guided in their assesment by the concentration-response (C-R) functions defined by the WHO linking concentrations of pollutants in ambient air to mortality risks or other adverse health effects (Health risks of air pollution in Europe – HRAPIE project), as well as the counterfactual concentrations above which health impacts are estimated (‘cut-off points’).

RemovedAnnex VIII – Part B a (new): Ba Guidance and minimum requirements for analysing the projected impact of air quality plans and pollution abatement measures / 1. Member States shall rely on objective and rigorous methods to assess the projected impact of air quality plans and pollution abatement measures. When relying on projected impacts of pollution abatement measures for the delivery of compliance with air quality objectives, those projected impacts must not be only possible, but likely with a high degree of certainty. / 2. Air quality plans shall contain enough information in sufficient detail in order to justify the impact assessment, including: / (a) a description of the method used for forecasting the evolution of air quality; / (b) an explanation of whether the projections are based on objective data or on assumptions; when relying on assumptions, a sensitivity analysis to explain best case, most likely and worst case scenarios; / (c) background documents and information used for the assessment; / (d) a detailed assessment of the individual impact of each air pollution abatement measure on emission reductions and related concentration reductions and the relevant assumptions; / (e) a detailed assessment of the combined impact of the air pollution abatement measures included in the plan on emission reductions and related concentration reductions and the relevant assumptions. / 3. The impact assessment shall only include pollution abatement measures that are certain to be adopted and implemented. Meas…

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 4 – point a: (a) list of the main emission sources and, where possible, of the specific entities responsible for pollution;

RemovedAnnex VIII a (new): ANNEX VIIIa / EMERGENCY MEASURES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE SHORT-TERM ACTION PLANS REQUIRED UNDER ARTICLE 20 / 1. Measures aimed at addressing the sources which contribute to the risk of the respective limit values or target values or alert threshold being exceeded: / (a) restricting the circulation of private vehicles; / (b) temporary free public transportation; / (c) implementing stricter emission limits or suspending the operation of industrial facilities, or both; / (d) suspending operations at construction works; / (e) restricting the use of solid fuels for domestic heating. / 2. Measures aimed at protecting sensitive population and vulnerable groups, including children: / (a) permitting or mandating remote working; / (b) closing nurseries and elementary schools; / (c) introducing driving restrictions around nurseries and elementary schools. / 3. Proactive steps to provide specific air pollution, health and health protection information both to the general public and to sensitive population and vulnerable groups, as soon as exceedances of information and alert thresholds and of limit values and target values are projected: / (a) including air quality forecasts in weather forecasts on television and radio; / (b) informing environmental organisations, consumer organisations, organisations representing the interests of sensitive population and vulnerable groups and other relevant health-care bodies; / (c) disseminating information on impacts of air pollution lev…

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 4 – point b: (b) total quantity of emissions from these sources and, where possible, of the specific entities (in tonnes/year);

RemovedAnnex IX – point 1 – point e: (e) information on preventive actions to reduce pollution and exposure to it: indication of main source sectors; recommendations for actions to reduce emissions both for individuals and organisations;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 4 – point d: (d) source apportionment according to relevant sectors and, where possible, apportionment to specific entities, that contribute to the exceedance in the national air pollution control programme.

RemovedAnnex IX – point 3: 3. When an exceedance occur or when there is a risk of exceedance of any limit value, average exposure reduction obligation, alert thresholds or information thresholds, Member States shall ensure that the information referred to in this Annex is additionally promoted to the public.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 4 a (new): 4a. Identification of effective pollution abatement measures / (a) information on all possible air pollution abatement measures that could be adopted at appropriate local, regional or national level to contribute to the attainment of air quality objectives and their estimated effect in air pollution reduction of each air pollutant, including at least the pollution abatement measures listed under point B; / (b) assessment of the emission reduction potential and projected impact on reducing concentrations resulting from the implementation of each of the possible pollution abatement measures identified, both individual and combined impacts, including the method of analysis and the associated uncertainties in line with the methodology referred to in Point Ba.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 4 b (new): 4b. Baseline scenario / (a) a description of existing air pollution abatement measures at local, regional, national and international level, including up-to-date information on the status and timetable of implementation; / (b) information concerning the status of implementation of the Directives referred to in point B, point 1, and in particular measures included in the National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP); / (c) observed effects of the measures referred to in points (a) and (b) in addressing the factors responsible for the exceedance (emission reductions achieved and related concentration reductions); / (d) a projected further evolution of air quality, both emissions and concentrations, assuming no change to already adopted measures (‘baseline scenario’), covering all years until the attainment date; / (e) an estimate of health effects related to the exposure of the population to air pollution in the baseline scenario; / (f) a description of the method of analysis for the projections and the associated uncertainties in line with the methodology referred to in Point Ba.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 5 – introductory part: 5. Expected impact of measures to reach compliance as soon as possible and, at the latest, within 3 years after the end of the calendar year in which the first exceedance was recorded

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 5 – point b: (b) indicative trajectory towards compliance and estimated year of compliance per air pollutant covered by the air quality roadmap or air quality plan taking into account measures referred to in point 6.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 5 – point b a (new): (ba) for air quality roadmaps under Article 19(-1) and air quality plans under Article 19(1), with a view to ensuring that the exceedance period is kept as short as possible, detailed reasons to explain how the plan sets out measures referred to in point 4a of this Point, including the following: / (i) where the start date for implementation of a measure is later than 6 months from the date of adoption of the air quality plan or air quality roadmap, an explanation of the reasons why an earlier start date is not possible; / (ii) where the analysis pursuant to point 4a has identified measures that would have greater impacts in improving air quality, but they have not been selected for adoption, an explanation of the reasons why adoption of such measures is not considered feasible.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 6 – point -a (new): (-a). review of pollution reduction measures as referred to in point 4a of this Point and their estimated effect on air pollution reduction of each air pollutant, including at least the measures listed under Point B;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 6 – point a: (a) listing and description of all the measures set out in the air quality plan or air quality roadmap and justification for those measures in terms of the source of exceedance, their effectiveness, their efficiency and their availability in time, including the identification of the competent authority in charge of their implementation;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 6 – point b: (b) quantification of emission reduction (in tonnes/year), by source and, where possible, by specific entities, of each measure, both individual and combined, under point (a);

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 6 – point c: (c) timetable for implementation of each measure and identification, where possible, of the specific entities which have obligations arising from the measures set out in the air quality plan or air quality roadmap, and a description of those obligations and their economic and social impacts;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 6 – point d: (d) estimate of the concentration reduction in relation to the exceedance concerned, as a consequence of each air quality measure, both individual and combined, under point (a);

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 7 – point d: (d) listing, description, justification and socio-economic impact of all additional measures, that unfold their full impact on ambient air pollutant concentrations in 3 years or more.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section A – point 7 a (new): 7a. Annex 2a: A summary of the public information and consultation measures undertaken pursuant to Article 19(6), their results and an explanation of how these results were taken into account in the final air quality plan or air quality roadmap.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – introductory part: 2. When preparing air quality plans or air quality roadmaps, Member States shall consider at least the following air pollution abatement measures at local, regional or national level for implementation in connection with the attainment of air quality objectives, including:

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point c: (c) procurement by public authorities, in line with the handbook on green public procurement, of fuels, combustion equipment to reduce emissions and zero-emission vehicles as defined in Article 3(1), point (m), of Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a; / 1a Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 setting CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 443/2009 and (EU) No 510/2011 (OJ L 111, 25.4.2019, p. 13).

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point c a (new): (ca) reduction of emissions through the uptake of zero- and low-emission collective and public transport vehicles and/or vehicles equipped with modern digital solutions affecting emissions reduction;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point c b (new): (cb) measures to improve the quality, efficiency, affordability and connectivity of collective and public transport;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point c c (new): (cc) measures related to the uptake and implementation of alternative fuel infrastructure;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point d: (d) measures to limit transport emissions through urban planning and traffic management, including at least: / (i) congestion pricing, such as road pricing and mileage-based user fees; / (ii) choice of road materials; / (iii) parking fees on public land or other economic incentives and with differentiated fees for polluting and zero-emission vehicles; / (iv) establishing urban vehicles access restrictions schemes, including low emission zones in line with the most recent Euro standard, and zero-emission zones; / (v) establishing low-traffic neighbourhoods, super blocks and car-free neighbourhoods; / (vi) establishing car-free streets; / (vii) introducing low speed limits; / (viii) ‘last mile’ zero (exhaust) emission delivery arrangements; / (ix) promoting car sharing and carpooling; (x) implementation of intelligent transport systems and digital solutions related to emissions reduction; / (xi) creation of multimodal hubs connecting various sustainable transport solutions and parking facilities;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point e: (e) measures to encourage a modal shift towards active mobility and less polluting forms of transport (e.g walking, cycling, public transport or rail), including at least: / (i) electrifying public transport, strengthening the public transport network, reducing public transport cost for citizens, and simplifying access and use, for example through digital and interconnected booking and real-time transit information; / (ii) ensuring smooth inter-modality for rural-urban commuting, for example between rail and cycling, and between cars and public transport (park and ride schemes); / (iii) incentivising cycling and walking, for example by expanding space for cyclists and pedestrians, prioritising cycling and walking in infrastructure planning, expanding the network of cycling routes, and redirecting fiscal and economic incentives towards active and shared mobility, including incentives for cycling and walking commute to work; / (iv) planning for compact cities; / (v) scrappage schemes for the most polluting vehicles;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point g: (g) requiring the use of best available technologies to eliminate or, where it is not possible to eliminate, to reduce as much as possible emissions from small-, medium- and large-scale stationary sources and in mobile sources;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point h a (new): (ha) measures to reduce air pollution in air pollution hotspots, including in ports and port cities, and establishing specific requirements for ships and boats at berth and port traffic, while speeding-up on-shore power supply and electrification of ships and port working machinery;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point h b (new): (hb) reduction of emissions from road, maritime and air transport through the use of alternative fuels and deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, as well as the use of economic incentives to accelerate their take-up;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point h c (new): (hc) measures to reduce emissions from agriculture and forestry;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point i: (i) measures to protect the health of children or other sensitive population and vulnerable groups;

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B – point 2 – point i a (new): (ia) measures by health authorities to encourage behavioural changes.

AddedAnnex VIII – Section B a (new): Ba. Guidance and minimum requirements for analysing the projected impact of air quality plans or air quality roadmaps and pollution abatement measures / 1. Member States shall rely on objective and scientific methods to assess the projected impact of air quality plans, air quality roadmaps and pollution abatement measures. Where relying on projected impacts of pollution abatement measures for the delivery of compliance with air quality objectives, those projections shall include a low level of uncertainty. / 2. Air quality plans or air quality roadmaps shall contain enough information in sufficient detail in order to justify the impact assessment, including: / (a) a description of the method used for forecasting the evolution of air quality; / (b) an explanation of whether the projections are based on objective data or on assumptions; when relying on assumptions, a sensitivity analysis to explain best-case, most likely and worst-case scenarios; / (c) background documents and information used for the assessment; / (d) an assessment of the individual impact of each air pollution abatement measure on emission reductions and related concentration reductions and the relevant assumptions; / (e) an assessment of the combined impact of the air pollution abatement measures included in the air quality plan or air quality roadmap on emission reductions and related concentration reductions and the relevant assumptions. / 3. The impact assessment shall include the margin of uncertainty of…

AddedAnnex VIII a (new): ANNEX VIIIa / EMERGENCY MEASURES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE SHORT-TERM ACTION PLANS REQUIRED UNDER ARTICLE 20 / 1. Measures to be taken in the short term aimed at addressing the sources which contribute to the risk of the relevant limit values, target values or alert threshold being exceeded: / (a) restricting the circulation of vehicles; / (b) low-fare or fare-free public transportation; / (c) implementing stricter emission limits; / (d) suspending operations at construction works; (e) street cleaning; (f) flexible work arrangements; / (g) introducing driving restrictions around locations frequented by sensitive population and vulnerable groups. / 3. Proactive steps to be taken in order to provide specific air pollution, health and health protection information, both to the general public and to sensitive population and vulnerable groups, by means of easily accessible, online or offline communication channels, as soon as exceedances of information and alert thresholds and of limit values and target values are projected.

AddedAnnex IX – point 1 – point b: (b) measured concentrations of all pollutants and how they compare with the most recent maximum concentrations recommended by the WHO, presented according to the appropriate periods as laid down in Annex I;

AddedAnnex IX – point 1 – point c – introductory part: (c) information on observed exceedance(s) of any limit value, ozone target value, information threshold, alert threshold, and average exposure reduction obligation, including at least:

AddedAnnex IX – point 1 – point d – point i: (i) the health impacts of air pollution, and specifically of each pollutant measured under this Directive, on general population,

AddedAnnex IX – point 1 – point d – point ii: (ii) the health impacts of air pollution, and specifically of each pollutant measured under this Directive, on vulnerable groups,

AddedAnnex IX – point 1 – point d – point iv: (iv) recommended precautions to be taken, broken down into precautions to be taken by the general population and by sensitive population and vulnerable groups, and actions to relieve the symptoms once exposure has occurred,

AddedAnnex IX – point 2 – point d: (d) information on short-term measures and preventive actions to reduce pollution and/or exposure to it: indication of main source sectors; recommendations for action to reduce emissions and limitations on exposure;