EU Presidency Statement - Sustainable development : atmosphere

Mr Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia and the Associated countries Cyprus and Malta align themselves with this statement.

The EU has studied the report of the Secretary-General "Protection of the Atmosphere" with interest and would like to congratulate the Secretariat for its work in preparation of this theme. I will in the following highlight some of the issues that are of a particular importance to the EU. An EU paper outlining the key areas of concern to the EU for consideration by the CSD is attached to this statement.

Clean air is one of our most fundamental needs. Air pollution caused by mass pollutants and by toxic substances has negative impacts on human health both in large cities and rural areas, as well as on ecosystems, food crops and architectural heritage. Air pollution causes i.a. acidification, eutrophication and the formation of ground-level ozone. Air pollutants can travel up to several thousands of kilometres from the point of emission to the site of damage. National efforts to reduce emissions must therefore be complemented by international action and co-operation to be effective.

Mr Chairman,

Persons living in poverty are often those that suffer the most from bad air quality. They are frequently exposed to high concentrations of pollutants both at home and in the work place. Health problems related to adverse environmental indoor air pollution have disproportionate impacts on women and children. Mitigation of those health and safety risks that are associated with activities in the home could be achieved through improved shelter conditions, especially concerning technology and fuel types, and the promotion of planning and good design in human settlements as well as public participation.

Public participation has proven to be an important tool for making progress with regard to improved air quality. Efforts should continue to develop monitoring systems, making information available and raising awareness on health risks caused by air pollution.

Industrialisation, urbanisation and increasing road traffic lead to an increase in emissions and deteriorating air quality. Until recently increased pollution has been an inevitable consequence of economic growth. However, the link between economic growth and deteriorating air quality can and must be broken. There are numerous socio-economic benefits if the problem of air pollution can be tackled. The development and introduction of cleaner fuel, air pollution abatement technologies and sustainable consumption and production patterns must be encouraged.

There are clear links between local, regional and global air pollution problems, such as transboundary air pollution, climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer. Efforts should be made to select measures both at a local, regional and global scale that are mutually beneficial and serve several goals at the same time.

The EU is strongly committed to the implementation of the UN/ECE Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution to which all EU Member States are parties. Policy frameworks and measures agreed within the EU and the UN/ECE have played a key role in developing air quality standards, emission limits from stationary and mobile sources, product controls, and also a strategy to tackle the inter-related problems of acidification, ground-level ozone and soil eutrophication. The UN/ECE and EU experience could possibly serve as an example of regional co-operation for other UN regions. The EU is prepared to share its experience in this area with other regions of the world.

Mr Chairman,

The stratospheric ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation. Certain chemical substances cause chain reactions that lead to depletion of the ozone layer. Emissions of greenhouse gases could enhance this process. The Montreal Protocol with its amendments and adjustments and the establishment of ozone monitoring schemes and replacement of ozone depleting substances (ODS) with less harmful chemicals or alternative technologies are important in the international efforts to reduce the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.

The EU wishes to underline the importance that all countries ratify, accept, approve or accede to the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments as soon as possible.

The Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund and its periodic replenishment have an important role in assisting developing countries in their transition to environmentally sound alternatives, technologies and practices.

Countries should avoid the use of HCFC (Hydrochloroflurocarbons), and where feasible HFC (Hydroflurocarbons), by converting directly to substances or technologies that are not ozone depleting nor have adverse climate effects. Governments, as well as the international community, and in particular the bodies of the Montreal Protocol, should be encouraged to support the conversion to sustainable alternatives or practices which have neither remaining ozone depleting potential (ODP) nor a negative impact on the global climate.

Furthermore, the introduction and use of ozone depleting substances not yet covered by international regulations should be avoided. In order to achieve this goal, these substances should be subject to the expeditious control under the Montreal Protocol.

In considering climate change and strategies to reduce or phase-out pollutants with harmful effects on air quality and the ozone layer greater attention needs to be drawn to capacity building and ownership of phase-out goals and processes in developing countries.

The EU attaches great importance to the completion of the COP 6 of the UNFCCC, to pave the way for the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol by 2002 also recognizing the relevant messages by IPCC, as recognised in the Secretary-General's report. Strong political leadership is required in order to resolve the outstanding political issues. The EU therefore urges its negotiating partners to engage constructively in negotiations on modalities on implementing the Kyoto Protocol.

Co-operation between the Climate Change Convention and other relevant conventions, such as the Montreal Protocol and the Biodiversity Convention, needs to be enhanced.

To avoid confusion between the CSD and the UNFCCC-process, the EU feels that the CSD should focus its discussion on air pollutants and their mitigation, avoiding pre-empting the outcome of resumed COP 6 negotiations on climate change.

Finally, Mr Chairman, the EU sees a need to carefully consider the interlinkages between this issue and the sectoral issues of sustainable energy and sustainable transport, which are also on the agenda for CSD-9, especially in the discussions on concrete recommendations for policy measures.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

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