German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) has promised rapid additional support to cities exposed to particularly high levels of air pollution from diesel fumes. Germany was asked by European Commission to “take furr measures again by Friday,” said Merkel after a meeting with prime ministers of federal states in Berlin. For this purpose, “city-specific talks” are planned in order to consider which rapid measures are still to be implemented. Merkel made it clear that re are 20 cities that continue to exceed limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
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The problem of high air pollution in many major German cities has been known for a long time. This week, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Barbara Hendricks, had to explain in Brussels why federal government has not done enough to date. The minister apologized for “omissions” and promised a “clean air immediately” programme. Up to 2020, 20 cities with biggest problems are going to be close to complying with requirements. “Of course we are not yet where we have to be,” said Hendricks in Brussels. The EU limit values should, of course, be respected everywhere.
Germany now has only a few days to meet EU’s demands. Only steps that “without any delay” led to compliance with limit values in air purity could still prevent an action by Brussels before European Court of Justice (ECJ), said Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella on Tuesday in Brussels.
Money for local transport, but no driving bans
Already in November of last year Merkel had promised municipalities an immediate programme for better air. At time, she said that money from diesel fund should be available to municipalities as quickly as possible so that y could implement “precisely fitting” projects. The projects are about better public transport services, retrofitting of diesel buses and electrification of fleets. In addition, more e-car loading points are planned, digital control systems against congestion as well as new cycle paths. At time, Merkel said that meeting with municipalities was only one facet of overall measures to avoid driving bans. In view of exhaust gas scandals, it referred to responsibility of automotive industry.
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This week, Saarland’s head of government and current Chairman of Ministerial Conference, Annegret Kramp-Cartman (CDU), said it was still aim of Merkel and federal states to avoid driving bans on diesel vehicles. After meeting with country chiefs, Merkel said that it was a “very constructive” discussion. The Chancellor called a variety of individual measures such as schnelleUmrüstungen or changes in taxi and fleet in Denbetroffenen cities. “Of course it doesn’t dieGesamtlösung. But in sum, se things can play a großeRolle. “
One will also continue to examine dieHardware retrofit for diesel vehicles, Merkel announced. According to ir knowledge, “for millions of vehicles, Allerdingswerde is definitely not giving a quick solution to this”. However, half of Thevolumein cars have now received software update DerAutohersteller to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The or half will get as planned until end of 2018 DasUpdate.
