Graffiti that reduces particulate matter pollution in cities with and without environmental zones - that's unrealistic? That's exactly what the graffiti painted with special colours by street artist Alessandro Breveglieri do, because they can absorb pollutants and then release them back into the environment in a purified form. A small improvement for a city as smog-ridden as Milan, but one that offers potential for larger projects.
Following the announcement of tighter environmental zone regulations from next autumn for all diesel vehicles, Denmark is unveiling its plans to say goodbye to internal combustion engines. The possibility of a ban on combustion engines from 2030, including the state of the infrastructure and the social compatibility of the measure, is currently being examined in detail. Will Copenhagen's low-emission zone become a zero-emission zone?
Fewer cars, more space for public transport and walking and cycling - this is Frankfurt's master plan to achieve the city's climate goals and become climate neutral by 2035. Above all, an expanded electric bus line and the promotion of green forms of mobility are to play an important role in this. Will cars be completely banned from the environmental zone?
Air quality is improving and cities are responding by removing emission-reducing driving bans. But even where no low-emission zones regulate traffic, instruments to protect the environment could soon be decommissioned. Kiel is reviewing plans to remove the air filter at the Theodor-Heus-Ring.
The mobility revolution is soon to reach the German military as well. Thanks to hydrogen and, in part, electric drives, the Bundeswehr is also to become climate-neutral over the next 20 years. The German government wants to reduce climate-damaging emissions in every sector in order to achieve the climate goals.
A company from Switzerland is making this a reality and bringing an eco-yacht to the luxury market. Thanks to 64 square metres of solar panels, the boat produces its own hydrogen and can therefore theoretically travel infinitely without refuelling stops - and without emissions.
The Californian government has decided to ban the registration of diesel trucks - and is thus stricter in its reduction plans for traffic emissions than the EU. Environmental association T&E is now demanding that the European Union also follow suit by 2035.
Because the air became cleaner, eight cities in Baden-Württemberg already abolished the environmental zone regulations that had been in force for years in 2023. Wendlingen am Neckar, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Ilsfeld and Urbach will now also no longer have low emission zones from this May - yet more German cities planning to abolish them. Are the authorities acting prematurely? Will Germany be able to meet its 2023 climate targets even without the emission-reducing contribution of low emission zones?
From 01.10.2023, diesel cars will also be subject to the environmental zone regulations in Copenhagen, Aalborg, Aarhus and Odense. All Euro 5 or Euro 4 vehicles with particulate filters - registered before January 2011 - will then need to be registered in order to drive legally in a Danish low emission zone. Register your car with Green-Zones now and avoid hefty fines!
Although climate targets and advancing climate change repeatedly show the importance of introducing measures such as emission-related driving bans and environmental zones, a wave of discontent with anti-car measures is increasingly spreading in Europe. Especially in England and France, riots often break out - while some German cities simply repeal the green regulations. What are the future prospects for environmental zones?
