Spain and France: Resistance to low emission zones
Controversy often arises around the introduction of new driving bans. In Spain and France, however, the opposition has become so vocal that the introduction is being postponed, if not removed altogether.
Often, environmentally protective traffic measures are greeted optimistically. The creation of low-emission zones, for example, from which polluting vehicles are banned, is seen as a positive step towards a greener future. Just as often, however, many speak against such initiatives - with some cities, mainly in France and Spain, where the introduction of new low emission zones is currently meeting with strong resistance from both local authorities and citizens.
In Spain, in fact, many municipalities are to set up low emission zones by 2023 as part of the new climate law. All municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, as well as those with more than 20,000 residents, would be obliged to restrict traffic in certain areas with concrete regulations and thus limit harmful emissions. However, with only a few months until the obligation comes into force, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) is calling on the government to delay the introduction by at least one year. This is because the royal decree is still missing for the definition of the minimum requirements, on which the laws at municipal levels are then to be based. Without a legal framework, it would be impossible, according to the FEMP, to enact the new regulations by the end of the year as originally planned.
That the real reason for such a request is in fact different is the opinion of some environmental organisations. They believe that although most municipalities will end up adopting the climate change and energy transition plans of the law, this will not happen in the coming months. "There are elections in May, and they are not going to pass traffic restrictions five months before," explains Carmen Duce of Ecologistas en Acción. Consequently, any means to achieve these goals will most likely not be activated immediately, but only afterwards. This is certainly a consequence of mayors' and candidates' fear of losing the support of their voters. According to surveys conducted, however, this is a potentially unfounded fear. Since the majority of citizens are actually in favour of reducing the use of cars with internal combustion engines due to their heavy environmental impact.
In 18 cities in Spain, several volunteer groups, coordinated by Greenpeace, have even taken to the streets to remind their mayors to approve new low emission zones by 2023. According to them, the opening of the new low-emission zones is an important step "for the elimination of emissions that are harmful to the environment and health". A "historic milestone" which should be celebrated - and not dimmed by the "passivity and lack of ambition" of the city councillors. Especially since 52% of Spaniards, according to a Greenpeace report, live in cities where pollution levels for nitrogen dioxide, for example, remain high - with significant consequences for citizens' health. This is a critical situation that will not ease on its own without measures to reduce traffic. However, it looks as if "the decree will remain in the drawer for the time being", Duce admits.
But frequent postponements are not the only cause for concern for those who advocate the introduction of low emission zones. In the French city of Toulouse, for example, the situation is so tense that three cars belonging to the city administration were set on fire in protest against the low emission zone. Since spring, it has forbidden all vehicles with the Vignette 5 to enter the city centre, thus attracting the discontent of many citizens. There are still many owners of older cars who feel punished by the new regulations and therefore do not want to comply with them.
As in Spain, citizens in France have mobilised to protest. However, not to put pressure on municipalities to meet the legal timetable for the introduction of low emission zones, but to call for their abolition. Throughout France, for example, the "40 Million Drivers" initiative will be on the road, compiling testimonials from "all those who will suffer from the low emission zones" in a kind of documentary film. In this way, local politicians should also be sensitised to the needs of the citizenry - explains Pierre Chasseray, general delegate of the association. He hopes that in the end they will decide in favour of a postponement to 2030. This should give citizens the time to invest in more environmentally friendly vehicles and at the same time allow cities to develop and optimise public transport networks.
And it is true that a number of complementary measures need to be implemented immediately to enable the success of the new Low Emission Zones in France and Spain, but eventually throughout Europe. Affordable electric mobility, reliable public transport, and a city that is safe for pedestrians and cyclists - are still considered the main strategies that Spanish and French municipalities should engage with to make the idea of restricted car areas more palatable to residents. Likewise, they are efficient means, alongside internal combustion bans, through which a real green shift in transport towards cleaner mobility can be achieved.
Certainly, cities in Spain and France would do well to listen to their citizens, at least to some extent. In the meantime, however, they should not lose sight of the goal, namely combating pollution as part of climate protection regulations. Constantly postponing deadlines or changing implementation plans is, in this sense, not a good idea for the Spanish and French communities, for their citizens - and ultimately for the planet.