The quality of air in the atmosphere was the major topic of the two-day informal Council of the ministers of environment and waters in Sofia, 10-11 April. The ministers of the 28 EU Member States, the Western Balkans and EFTA partners, and the European Commission exchanged views also on better regulation, calling for urgent action and better coordination between different levels of governance.

During the first day, the talks were concentrated on the protection of the human health and the environment. The delegates agreed that although air quality is improving across Europe, more urgent action is needed, including additional funding. The European Environment Agency (EEA) annual Air Quality in Europe report, released last October, estimated that over half a million Europeans die prematurely as a result of exposure to poor air quality each year.

The discussion highlighted the need for better coordination among the different levels of governance and the various economic sectors involved.

One of the sessions was dedicated to finding solutions for better implementation of EU environmental legislation.

When it comes to improving air quality, funding is key. Therefore, the delegates discussed the opportunities to revise the way in which EU funds support the clean air efforts in the framework of a debate on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2030.

The discussions during the second day of the meeting were dedicated to the international climate change negotiations and the Talanoa Dialogue launched at COP23 in Bonn last year. The word 'Talanoa' originates from Fiji and reflects a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue.

The Chair of the meeting and Bulgarian Minister of Environment and Water, Neno Dimov, said that it is time for countries to reconsider their approaches to tacking air quality issues.

“The time has come to move from visions and ambitions to real actions and tangible results,” he said. “Effective action to reduce the impact of air pollution requires profound changes in policies, lifestyle, and attitudes.”

Minister Dimov stressed that measures to tackle air pollution cannot be unified, as different countries face very different air quality issues. It is impossible to design a single-template matrix, and that makes the challenge even bigger, the Bulgarian minister pointed out. Dimov added that on the one hand a uniform standard must be achieved for all European citizens, while on the other hand, this can be achieved by various measures. According to him, this problem is not only ecological but also economic, social, geographic and cultural.

EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella noted that the discussions had a practical focus by considering how to improve things so that citizens can feel and appreciate what is being done. He noted that he encouraged ministers to work closely with their colleagues in charge of energy, transport and agriculture, but also to work “across borders”. In response to a reporter's question, the EU Commissioner stressed that plastic pollution is a huge problem. “The question is not how to handle, but how to protect ourselves from this waste,” he said.