Traffic noise is a serious concern for Europeans, and the EU must act quickly to tackle the issue. That is the call from citizens from several European countries in a video clip published today (1) for International Noise Awareness Day.
This report summarises the latest evidence of the effect of traffic noise on the health and wellbeing of Europeans, and gives policy recommendations on how to reduce noise.
Most Europeans are prepared to compromise on the price and features of their car if doing so will reduce harmful emissions. That is the finding of a new Eurobarometer survey conducted in all 27 EU member states.
A half-day event co-organised by Transport & Environment, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) & Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
Brussels is not just the capital of the EU, but the EU’s most congested city.
Editorial by Chris Bowers, Editor, T&E Bulletin
The man who pioneered London’s congestion charge, Ken Livingstone, was the highest-profile speaker at last month’s T&E annual general meeting, which also celebrated T&E’s 20th birthday.
A legal challenge against Berlin's 'environment zone' has failed. Eleven citizens and Germany's biggest car club ADAC had challenged the ruling that prevented the most polluting vehicles from driving in the designated zone. But in a written verdict published last month, the judges said the environment zone was 'reasonable' to secure the 'protection of the public's health from air pollution'. The judgement could prevent the Hannover environment zone from being abolished, which is being sought by the environment minister of Lower Saxony.
The Commission is to set up an on-line guide showing information on clean and energy-efficient vehicles.
A doctoral thesis from Sweden suggests that car commuters die younger than those who walk, cycle or go to work by bus.
A number of German cities are developing the 'car scrappage' idea by offering subsidies for people to buy new bicycles.