In early July, the European Parliament's ENVI Committee will vote on the first update to EU vehicle noise limits in 20 years. Judith Merkies MEP invites you to a discussion on this important public health issue. The event will also include the official launch of the Sound Investment Joint Declaration: a five point plan for cutting traffic noise in urban areas by half. To register, please contact Cécile Toubeau with your full name, date of birth and place of residence.
This briefing gives an overview of T&E's views on new noise emission limits for road vehicles, proposed by the European Commission in December 2011.
Brussels - Fuel tax havens such as Luxembourg and Spain may have to raise their low diesel taxes following a vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg this afternoon on a proposal to revise the EU’s Energy Tax law. Commenting on the outcome of the vote, Magnus Nilsson, senior campaigner at T&E said: “This vote is good news for countries like Portugal, Belgium, France and Germany who currently lose billions in tax revenue as a result of lorries filling up in fuel tax havens such as Luxembourg and Spain. Lower diesel taxes are bad for the climate and force governments to find cash elsewhere, such as by raising job-killing labour taxes. ”
A group of noise expert has written to the Commission in order to encourage it to take tighten measures on traffic noise levels, especially vehicle noise, which have severe health impacts. They stressed the importance of having stricter standards on noise emissions in a very short time, as well as the rapidity with which vehicle producers can comply to them in a quite short time.