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A new report by The European Court of Auditors finds that while European cities have cleaner air, they are still too noisy.
A new report by The European Court of Auditors finds European cities have cleaner air but are still too noisy.
The report states it proved difficult to assess progress made in reducing noise pollution.
Most EU member states have gaps and delays in assessing and reporting on noise pollution.
The lack of EU noise reduction targets "disincentivises member states to prioritise actions to reduce noise pollution effectively."
Noise reporting thresholds "only cover part of the EU population that may be exposed to harmful levels of noise."
The audit was conducted as the European Commission is halfway through its 2030 zero-pollution targets.
The report recommends introducing EU noise-reduction targets and noise limits in the 2002 Environmental Noise Directive.
The report recommends aligning the noise exposure reporting thresholds as closely as possible with those recommended by the World Health Organization.
External resources
A new report by The European Court of Auditors finds that while European cities have cleaner air, they are still too noisy. The report states it proved difficult to assess progress made in reducing noise pollution - mainly due to gaps and delays in assessing and reporting on noise pollution by most EU member states. It also considers that the lack of EU noise reduction targets disincentivises member states to prioritise actions to reduce noise pollution effectively, and that the noise reporting thresholds only cover part of the EU population that may be exposed to harmful levels of noise. The audit was conducted as the European Commission is halfway through its 2030 zero-pollution targets. It recommends introducing EU noise-reduction targets and noise limits in the 2002 Environmental Noise Directive, and aligning the noise exposure reporting thresholds as closely as possible with those recommended by the World Health Organization.
Full report: Special report 02/2025: Urban pollution in the EU | European Court of Auditors
A new Bill proposing that fireworks noise levels are restricted was introduced by Yasim Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, on December 3rd.
The Home Office has issued proposals to relax licensing hours in England and Wales, if England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland reach the semi finals of the world cup in July 2026.
A UK strategy for the conservation of whales and dolphins (cetaceans) - has been published. It acknowledges that underwater noise sits alongside climate change and bycatch is a threat impacting these
The Scottish Government have opened a consultation on proposed changes to the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
A report commissioned by the Department for Business and Industrial Strategy to look at assessment of noise from onshore wind farms is now published.
The Welsh Government are consulting on changes to permitted development rights including air source heat pumps(ASHP).
As part of their ongoing enquiry into the impact of airport expansion on climate and nature targets, the Environmental Audit Committee will be taking oral evidence tomorrow - Wednesday May 14th.
The Government are seeking views on proposals for changes to the planning process for national infrastructure projects.
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