Miriam Dalli to represent S&D Group on reduction of vehicle emissions

Labour MEP Miriam Dalli has been chosen by the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament to contribute to a report aimed at reducing pollutant emissions from vehicles and improving the air quality. The report will also focus on how rules that govern vehicle certification can be amended so as to achieve these two aims.

“Air pollution is a major hazard to human health, as proven by various scientific studies,” Dalli said in her address to the European Parliament’s Environmental Committee. “Although air quality in Europe has improved in recent years, air pollution, particularly that caused by vehicle emissions, is still a serious problem with consequential negative and lasting effects on the health of our citizens.”

Dalli said that vehicle emissions generate 25% of all greenhouse gases and quoted the European Environmental Agency as saying that vehicle emissions in Europe have increased by 36% between 1990 and 2011. She added that vehicle emissions in Malta increased by 61.9% over the same period.  

“I strongly support EU initiatives intended to tackle vehicle emissions and reduce these two elements to an acceptable level,” Dalli said. “Vehicle emissions are a major source of air pollution in our cities and I, together, with my colleagues, am determined to address this issue.”

Dalli is a member of the European Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.