Many European countries are failing to comply with standards on air quality.

Many European countries are failing to comply with international and European standards on air quality. Moreover, many governments have failed to take effective action to improve air quality and hence to protect their citizens’ health. These are two of the findings of a joint audit performed by 14 European audit offices, including the Netherlands Court of Audit, as well as the Israeli national audit office and the European Court of Auditors. The aim of the audit was to ascertain whether the governments of the countries in question were taking action to improve the air quality.

Based on the findings of the joint audit, the participants make the following six recommendations:

1. prepare and implement air quality plans;
2. measure the effectiveness of actions taken;
3. improve coordination between governments and executive agencies;
4. collect relevant data and perform cost-benefit analyses;
5. improve monitoring systems;
6. raise public awareness of the problem.

Read the full report here.