Data-Driven Dedication: Advancing the Zero Pollution Vision with EDIAQI and other Horizon Europe Projects

The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform workshop, convened on the 24th and 25th of January 2024 in Brussels, provided a unique lens into the ongoing efforts and challenges of achieving a pollution-free environment. Spearheaded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENV), the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and the European Environment Agency (EEA), the event not only showcased progress but also transparently discussed the shortcomings and lessons learnt from the inaugural Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report.

Participation in this workshop was particularly significant for the EDIAQI project, which has an overarching objective to provide evidence for the Zero Pollution Action Plan. Understanding the Commission's requirements in relation to this plan was hence crucial and the EDIAQI team remains steadfast in advocating for a holistic approach as essential to eliminating pollution in Europe by 2050.

A key revelation from the workshop was the reliance on existing regulatory monitoring data for the initial Zero Pollution Monitoring efforts. While this data was extensive, it posed challenges in terms of quality, completeness, timeliness, and maturity. The task of amalgamating diverse data from various scientific sources into a cohesive picture was recognised as particularly complex. This was also true for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), where a lack of comprehensive data was noted. Nevertheless, the identification of these data gaps has spurred actions to enhance data collection and analysis, with initiatives like the Horizon call—under which the EDIAQI project operates—being integral to these improvements.

The workshop also shed light on the limitations of the existing outlook, which was underpinned by modelling tools developed for specific policy areas, often not yet fully integrated. There is an acknowledged need to bolster the connection to climate monitoring and modelling to more effectively illustrate the synergies and potential trade-offs between various policies.

The JRC emphasised the need for better integration of monitoring and outlook efforts, as well as a more cohesive analysis of soil, water, and air. They highlighted, as part of their lessons learnt, the importance of clearly demonstrating the interconnections and trade-offs between policies and ensuring consistency in baselines and messaging.

Conversely, the EEA pointed out that their lessons learnt were multifaceted, including the complexity of integrated analysis of multiple factors and the necessity for synergies with other related mechanisms to ensure consistent messaging. They particularly underscored the need to bridge knowledge gaps, especially concerning micro-plastics and soil health.

In discussions, DG ENV, EEA, and JRC identified specific knowledge gaps in IAQ, stressing the importance of addressing these to ensure a comprehensive approach. This highlighted the critical role of the EDIAQI project, as well as other IDEAL Cluster projects in producing evidence and robust policy recommendations to support the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Ultimately, the workshop served as more than a reflective exercise; it was a pivotal step in devising a path towards a pollution-free future for all European citizens. The imperative to enhance data quality and integration while aligning various environmental monitoring efforts, and understanding the dynamics between different policy areas was underscored in particular. The EDIAQI project continues to proudly contribute to bridging these knowledge gaps and providing evidence for effective policy. 

Note: This article has been published on behalf of Alex Borg, the Lisbon Council, Brussels, Belgium.