EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil'.

This EU Action Plan is a policy at the EU level with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 10 years between 2021 and 2030. The objective of this policy is to reduce: (I) the negative impacts of air pollution on health; (II) noise pollution due to transport; (III) the threat of air pollution on biodiversity; (IV) nutrient losses, the use and risk of chemical pesticides and hazardous chemicals, and the sale of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture; (V) marine pollution due to plastic litter and microplastics released into the environment; and (VI) total waste generation. Moreover, this action plan also sets out key actions for other European Green Deal initiatives, including the chemicals strategy for sustainability, for the period of 2021-2024.
This policy sets out the pathway to zero pollution as a key component of the European Green Deal goals. Pollution prevention will be integrated into the legal frameworks on public health, air pollution, biodiversity, chemical management, environmental protection, waste management, and marine conservation to prevent multiple risks to human, animal and ecosystem health. Research and innovation will be supported to offer digital solutions to reduce pollution and data collection and dissemination systems will be developed. The implementation of EU pollution prevention laws will be reinforced to deliver the intended environmental and health benefits. The compliance with EU pollution prevention laws will be strengthened by all relevant national authorities through application of inspections and other compliance checks and penalty clauses. Moreover, polluter pays principle will be applied to polluters, including industry, agriculture and household consumers. Air quality will be protected through the effective implementation of emission reduction commitments, more sustainable industrial systems, cleaner technologies, less polluting business models and consumption habits, faster implementation of the polluter pays principle, and further application of extended producer responsibility. The status of EU soils will be assessed to take action at all levels in order to address soil pollution and degradation. Freshwater and marine pollution will be prevented in line with the EU's zero pollution ambition for all aquatic ecosystems. Freshwater protection objectives will be included in relevant policies to prevent water pollution and promote sustainable and efficient water consumption. Healthy, pollution-free ocean, seas and waters will be achieved by reducing plastic and other litter, underwater noise and contaminants, with a special emphasis on discharges into the sea from ships. Pollution from pesticides in air, water and soil will be reduced through integrated pest management, the promotion of agro-ecological practices, including organic farming, avoiding the use of chemicals pesticides in sensitive areas, and the introduction of innovative techniques, including biotechnology. National advisory services will be improved for farmers to build capacity for less polluting practices, notably to reduce ammonia and nitrates emissions. Toxic-free material cycles will be promoted in production and consumption for safe and sustainable chemicals, materials and products and consumers will be encouraged to choose less polluting products and services, such as the EU Ecolabel ones. The participation of all stakeholders at all levels will be encouraged to carry out collective action and collective change for zero pollution.