The Commission today adopted an EU action plan: "Towards zero air, water and soil pollution", which is the main result of the European Green Plan and the main theme of this year's EU Green Week.

It contains a vision for 2050 to reduce pollution in the world to levels that are not harmful to human health and natural ecosystems, as well as measures to achieve that vision. The plan links all relevant EU policies to tackling and preventing pollution, with a special focus on digital solutions. A review of EU legislation is also envisaged to identify possible shortcomings and areas where its implementation needs to be improved.
Executive Vice President for European Green Plan Frans Timmermans said: The Green Plan is aimed at preserving a healthy planet for all. We must intervene immediately to ensure a non-toxic environment for all. This plan leads us to achieve that goal. New green technologies can help us reduce pollution and increase business opportunities. Europe is also working to build a cleaner, fairer and more sustainable economy, thus contributing to zero pollution.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said: Environmental pollution threatens our health, especially the most vulnerable and socially vulnerable groups, and it is also one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Today, more than ever, the need for EU leadership in the fight against pollution at global level has been expressed. With the help of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, we will create a healthy living environment for Europeans, contribute to recovery and encourage the transition to a clean, circular and climate-neutral economy.

The plan sets the main goals of reducing pollution at source by 2030 and the EU is moving towards achieving the goal of 2050 - a healthy planet for healthy people, especially in terms of:
• improving air quality to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution by 55%,
• improving water quality by reducing the amount of waste, plastic waste in the sea (by 50%) and microplastics released into the environment (by 30%),
• improving soil quality by reducing nutrient loss and the use of chemical pesticides by 50%,
• reduction of the number of ecosystems with endangered biodiversity due to air pollution by 25%,
• reduction of the number of people chronically exposed to traffic noise by 30% and
• Significant reduction of waste and residual municipal waste production by 50%.

The plan lists a number of flagship initiatives and measures, including the following:
• harmonization of air quality standards with the latest recommendations of the World Health Organization,
• reviewing water quality standards, including river and sea waters in the EU,
• reduction of soil pollution and improvement of its regeneration,
• reviewing most EU waste regulations to adapt to the principles of a clean and circular economy,
• encouraging zero pollution rates due to production and consumption,
• presenting a scale of green efficiency levels in EU regions to promote zero pollution in the regions,
• reduction of health inequalities caused by the disproportionate effects of adverse health effects, to which the most vulnerable groups are now exposed,
• reducing the external impact of the EU's environmental footprint and pollution by restricting exports of products and waste that create harmful and toxic effects in third countries,
• establishing living laboratories for green digital solutions and achieving the goal of smart zero pollution,
• strengthening EU zero-pollution knowledge centers and stakeholder gathering within a common platform,
• more effective implementation of the zero pollution target in cooperation with environmental authorities and others.

Together with the EU Sustainability Strategy for Chemicals, adopted last year, this action plan reflects the goal of achieving zero pollution for a non-toxic environment, which is linked to the EU's climate neutrality, health, biodiversity and resource efficiency objectives and is based on on initiatives in the fields of energy, industry, mobility, food, the circular economy and agriculture.
EU Green Week is the largest annual event related to environmental policy, taking place from 1 to 4 June this year. As part of this online event, which includes a major conference in Brussels and more than 600 partnership programs, citizens across the EU will be able to take part in discussions and express their views on zero pollution.