European Environmental Bureau’s Post

Available in Zenodo: "This document encapsulates the outcomes of the Light Pollution Meeting convened in Granada during the Spanish Presidency of the European Council from 14-15 November 2023. It delineates shared perspectives and considerations regarding the imperative to confront light pollution at the European Union (EU) level through the formulation of policies and legislation (...)" https://lnkd.in/eETkQfpw

Ireland is moving forward with important changes to the Air Pollution Act, 1987, to address emerging air quality challenges, particularly from domestic solid fuel burning. The European Environment Agency's 2022 report highlighted 1,410 premature deaths in Ireland due to air pollution in 2020, with 1,300 linked to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from solid fuel burning. Some of the key recommendations in the paper included: Enhanced Regulation: New measures to oversee the production, transportation, and sales of solid fuels. Legal Requirements for Fuel Producers: Companies based in other EU member states or third countries must now establish a legal presence in Ireland to place solid fuels on the market. These changes, along with the solid fuel regulations introduced in October 2022, aim to reduce pollution and safeguard public health. Early reports from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate positive impacts, but issues like unauthorized imports of high-polluting fuels remain a concern. #Regulation ##Legislation #Ireland #Sustainability #CleanAir

Grassy Narrows First Nation files lawsuit against Ontario, federal governments over mercury contamination A First Nation that has faced decades of mercury poisoning is suing the provincial and federal governments, arguing they've failed to protect its treaty rights.The lawsuit by Grassy Narrows First Nation comes in the wake of research indicating industrial pollution is exacerbating mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon River system. A First Nation that has faced decades of mercury poisoning is suing the provincial and federal governments, arguing they've failed to protect its treaty rights.The lawsuit by Grassy Narrows First Nation comes in the wake of research indicating industrial pollution is exacerbating mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon River system. A First Nation that has faced decades of mercury poisoning is suing the provincial and federal governments, arguing they've failed to protect its treaty rights.The lawsuit by Grassy Narrows First Nation comes in the wake of research indicating industrial pollution is exacerbating mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon River system. News/Canada/Thunder Bay via Blogger https://ift.tt/rLqsiDQ June 05, 2024 at 05:10AM via News@1STEP2EARN

🔔 European Parliament Approves Updated Air Quality Directive 🔔 Yesterday, the European Parliament approved a proposed update to the Ambient Air Quality Directive. It marks a significant stride towards achieving cleaner air and advancing the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve zero pollution by 2050 (i may need to find another job!!). The directive is crucial for regulating air quality standards across Member States, yet it has seen little change since 2008, prompting an overdue refresh to address evolving challenges and technological advancements. A key feature of the revised directive is the implementation of stricter air quality standards by 2030, aligning them with the guidelines established by the World Health Organisation. With approximately 300,000 premature deaths attributed to air pollution each year in the EU, this update strives not only to decrease fatalities but also to establish a worldwide standard for air quality regulations, with the potential to inspire other nations. 🛣 The Road Ahead 🛣 Only a few procedural steps remain before the updated Ambient Air Quality Directive becomes EU law, with a crucial vote in the Parliament scheduled for October 2, 2024. https://lnkd.in/gYVzGFhr

MARPOL Annex IV: International Efforts to Prevent Pollution from Ships' Sewage Pollution from sewage from ships is a major problem and keeping water clean is a global concern. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which oversees Annex IV of MARPOL, sets strict guidelines to stop ocean pollution from sewage. This international framework works with national laws to save coastal regions and the marine environment. Compliance with these regulations is largely made possible by wastewater treatment plants. To ensure that hazardous pollutants are eliminated and the discharge is suitable for the marine environment, these onboard systems are made to treat the waste water before it is released into the sea. These devices can significantly reduce the ship's environmental impact, so they are necessary to meet the requirements of Annex IV. The discharge of sewage from ships is governed by international agreements, similar to oil pollution. By following these regulations, sewage from ships is either contained until it can be safely disposed of on land, or treated appropriately before discharge. The goal is clear: to keep our waters clean, safe and free of dangerous pollution. Regional initiatives are given more attention, especially in sensitive regions such as the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea. To prevent sewage pollution, these areas are subject to stricter regulations🌊. The European Community (EC), with its laws and measures to support international efforts, plays a key role in ensuring compliance with these regulations. 😊 They work closely with other nations to ensure that all ships, regardless of size, comply with regulations aimed at preventing sewage pollution. There are still difficulties, but if we work together and follow regulations, we can save our oceans for generations to come. By adhering to these standards and working together 💪, we ensure the continued health and vibrancy of our oceans. 🌍❤️ #marpolannexe #marineworld #linkedin #marineengineering #ocean

Marpol Annex V The hassle of marine pollution which was ship waste is addressed via MARPOL Annex V, an important guard for our oceans. This regulation, which was enacted under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1988, focuses especially on the disposal of waste at sea 🌊 and locations a robust emphasis on plastic. This fabric has emerged as a chance for marine life. 🐋 Depending on the ship's place, Annex V regulates the disposal of paper, metals, and food scraps, as well as the release of plastics. To guarantee that waste disposal is carefully monitored and recorded, ships need to hold Garbage Management Plans and Record Books. 📚 However, the vastness of the oceans and varying degrees of compliance amongst international locations make it hard to put into effect those regulations. The annex has substantially decreased delivery-related 🛳️marine particles notwithstanding these barriers, demonstrating the significance of worldwide cooperation. We are reminded in MARPOL Annex V that collective responsibility is important for ocean protection. It is critical to hold the marine ecosystems that are critical to lifestyles on Earth 🌎 by way of adhering to and strengthening these regulations as the sector faces growing environmental demanding situations. ✨♥️ #linkedin #marineengineering #ocean #marpolannexe #mechanicalengineering

“The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) provide financial compensation for oil pollution damage that occurs in Member States, resulting from spills of persistent oil from tankers. The history of the IOPC Funds began with the oil spill from the Torrey Canyon, which ran aground near the Scilly Isles in 1967, fouling UK and French coastlines. This incident exposed a number of serious shortcomings, in particular the absence of an international agreement on liability and compensation in the event of such a spill. It led the international community to establish, under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a regime for compensation for victims of oil pollution. The framework for the regime was the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (1969 Civil Liability Convention) and the 1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution (1971 Fund Convention). Over time, it became clear that the amount of compensation available for major incidents needed to be increased and the scope of the regime widened. This resulted in two further instruments, known as the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention. Following the Erika and Prestige incidents, a third instrument, the Protocol to the 1992 Fund Convention (Supplementary Fund Protocol), was adopted in 2003, providing additional compensation over and above that available under the 1992 Fund Convention for pollution damage in the States that become Parties to the Protocol. The IOPC Funds are financed by contributions paid by entities that receive certain types of oil by sea transport. These contributions are based on the amount of oil received in the relevant calendar year, and cover expected claims, together with the costs of administering the Funds. Since their establishment, the 1992 Fund and the preceding 1971 Fund have been involved in 158 incidents of varying sizes all over the world. In the great majority of cases, all claims have been settled out of court.” https://lnkd.in/eUiC4Vtv

A monumental step forward in our commitment to combat plastic pollution! The revised draft text for the #PlasticsTreaty negotiations marks a crucial milestone in our global efforts. As we gear up for the upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4), convened to craft a binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in our precious marine environments, anticipation and determination rise. This session, scheduled from April 23 to 29, 2024, at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada, holds the promise of transformative change. Let's unite, advocate, and work towards a sustainable future free from the shackles of plastic pollution. Together, we shape the world we want to inherit! #PlasticFreeFuture #GlobalAction #EnvironmentalCommitment

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