[cleanairuk_news] Clean Air Conference 8 Jan. 2013, Brussels (EU's 'Year of Air')

[Network for Clean Air]

From:
http://www.eeb.org/EEB/index.cfm/news-events/news/clean-air-everywhere-blowing-the-winds-of-change-into-european-air-policy/?utm_source=Meta&utm_campaign=a0442e4818-EEB_conference_2012_Invitation9_13_2012&utm_medium=email


CLEAN AIR EVERYWHERE: Blowing the winds of change into European air policy

Tuesday 8 January 2013

9:00 until 17:30, followed by a reception Representation of the State of
North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union Rue Montoyer 47, 1000
Brussels, Belgium

Almost a third of Europe's city-dwellers are exposed to polluted air. A
new report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that
many parts of Europe have persistent problems with outdoor concentrations
of air pollutants. These pollutants cause nearly half a million premature
deaths in the EU every year as well as significant health problems, which
lead to increased hospital admissions, extra medication and millions of
lost working days. In addition to the health burden, air pollution causes
significant damage to ecosystems, agricultural crops, modern materials and
our cultural heritage.

Last year, EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik announced that
the revision of the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive would be
postponed to 2013 which would be the EU’s Year of Air. In the meantime,
all EU air legislation is being reviewed and subject to a public
consultation, which is expected to lead to legislative proposals in 2013.

On Tuesday 8 January 2013, right at the start of the Year of Air, the
European Environmental Bureau (EEB), in conjunction with the ‘Soot Free
for the Climate’ campaign, will hold a conference to discuss the future of
EU air policies. The conference will take place in Brussels at the
Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European
Union, and will serve as the launch event of the 2013 Year of Air.

The conference will open with a keynote speech by Environment Commissioner
Janez Potočnik. The day will feature three panel discussions, one in
the morning and two in the afternoon. The first one will address cutting
air pollution from most problematic sources. The second one will
investigate the public health aspect of the problem, while the third one
will look into synergies between climate change and air pollution
policies.

The conference will be followed by a reception.

We are happy to announce that the winning pictures of the Photo Story
Exhibition “ImaginAIR” organised by the European Environmental Agency
(EEA) will be exhibited for the first time at the conference venue
throughout the day.


Confirmed speakers and panelists:

Janez Potočnik, EU Commissioner for Environment
Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action
Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA
Phil Hogan, Environment Minister of Ireland
Lena Ek, Environment Minister of Sweden
Francesca Racioppi, Senior Policy and Programme Advisor, WHO Regional
Office for Europe
Matthias Groote MEP (S&D, Germany)
Linda McAvan MEP (S&D, UK)
Jo Leinen MEP (S&D, Germany)
Bas Eickhout MEP (Greens/EFA, Netherlands)
Chris Davies MEP(ALDE, UK)
Satu Hassi MEP (Greens/EFA, Finland)
Corinne Lepage MEP (ALDE, FR)
Keith Taylor MEP (Greens/EFA, UK)
Elliot Treharne, Air Quality Manager, Greater London Authority
Mark Lawrence, Scientific Director, Institute for Advanced Sustainability
Studies (IASS) Potsdam
Jeremy Wates, EEB Secretary General
Genon Jensen, Executive Director, Health and Environment Alliance
Jos Dings, Director, Transport and Environment
Christer Ågren, Director, Air Pollution and Climate Secretariat

A more detailed agenda will be communicated on this website in December.

In the meantime, please register for the conference until January 1st by
filling in this online registration form.

The number of participants will be limited to 100 due to the capacity of
the room.

For more information, please contact Louise Duprez, Policy Officer for
Air, Industrial Emissions and Noise, louise.duprez at eeb.org.