Air quality stays, but waste goes

6th February 2015


It's been a turbulent few weeks in Brussels. Just before Christmas the European commission published its work programme for 2015, which set out its priorities for the next year.

It’s been a turbulent few weeks in Brussels. Just before Christmas the European commission published its work programme for 2015, which set out its priorities for the next year.

Normally this would be a pretty straightforward process, but what has made this particularly significant is the new commission’s decision to drop or modify pieces of legislation proposed by the previous administration. These include vital new air pollution limits as well as the waste package, which sets out targets to increase recycling and tighten the rules on landfill and incineration, and help shift Europe towards a more circular economy.

Before going ahead with the withdrawals, the commission said it would consult the European parliament. So the pressure was on when, earlier this month, MEPs began to debate a resolution on the work programme. In the end, centre-right and Conservative MEPs refused to table a joint resolution, which left the parliament bereft of a strong and united position. However, like-minded MEPs did team up to vote in favour of key amendments, criticising the withdrawal of these key pieces of environmental legislation.

Finally, the commission backed down and is no longer proposing to drop the air quality law, which will now continue as planned. As one of
the lead negotiators on this legislation, I’ll be fighting for tough national limits that force governments to tackle this silent killer.

However, the bad news is that despite strong objections from ministers and MEPs, the commission is going ahead with its withdrawal of the waste package. It claims that this proposal will be replaced by something more ambitious by the end of 2015. But many, including myself, are unconvinced. If the aim is to improve this piece of legislation, why not leave that to MEPs and the council?

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

Facing the climate emergency challenge in local government

It’s well recognised that the public sector has the opportunity to work towards a national net-zero landscape that goes well beyond improving on its own performance; it can also influence through procurement and can direct through policy.

19th March 2024

Read more

Dr Julie Riggs issues a call to arms to tackle a modern-day human tragedy

15th March 2024

Read more

Disgraced environmental consultant Peter Lovebrother is another month nearer retirement…

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) strategy is based on optimistic techno-economic assumptions that are now outdated, Carbon Tracker has warned.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK’s new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements could create 15,000 hectares of woodlands, heath, grasslands, and wetlands and absorb 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s latest Public Attitudes Tracker has found broad support for efforts to tackle climate change, although there are significant concerns that bills will rise.

13th March 2024

Read more

Multinational corporations are undermining their net-zero commitments with excessive air travel and no plans to reduce ‘the low hanging fruit’ of carbon footprints, a study by Transport & Environment has found.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s climate adaptation plans are ‘inadequate’ and falling ‘far short’ of what is required, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned today.

13th March 2024

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close