December 15, 2021

The following is a press release: 

What

The Zero-Pollution Stakeholder Platform aims to effectively mainstream the zero pollution agenda and the implementation of the EU's Zero-Pollution Action Plan. It will bring together stakeholders and experts of different policy areas, such as health, agriculture, research and innovation, transport, digitalisation and the environment. The platform is to create co-ownership, promote collaboration, and foster integrated solutions to maximise synergies with decarbonisation and post-COVID-19 recovery efforts. This high-level kick-off meeting is organised by the European Commission (EC) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).

Who

- Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions.

- Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.

- Sarah Nelen, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans at European Commission.

The meeting includes the participation of the platform's co-chairs: CoR's rapporteur Marieke Schouten, Alderman of the municipality of Nieuwegein (The Netherlands) and Patrick Child, Deputy Director-General of DG Environment for the European Commission.

When

Thursday 16 December 2021 | 10:00 – 12.30

Where

https://webcast.ec.europa.eu/zero-pollution-stakeholder-platform

Background:

The CoR President Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius announced on 4 June 2021 the launch of the Zero-Pollution Stakeholder Platform during Green Week 2021. CoR Press release / EC press release.

Over 100 cities in the EU still do not meet EU air quality standards. According to the EEA’s latest estimates, 307,000 people died prematurely due to exposure to fine particulate matter pollution in the EU in 2019. At least 58%, or 178,000 of these deaths, could have been avoided if all EU Member States had reached the WHO’s new air quality guideline level of 5 µg/m3.

On water, seven EU capital cities do not meet the minimum water quality requirements. Ensuring proper wastewater treatment will require investments of over EUR 200 billion in the coming years (EC).

Contacts:

European Commission: daniela.stoycheva@ec.europa.eu

European Committee of the Regions: david.crous@cor.europa.eu