In January 2021, Airbus will put its first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell into operation. This is an important step towards the development of a hydrogen-powered aircraft. By opening a development centre for hydrogen technologies in Lower Saxony, Airbus is strengthening its presence in Germany and underlining its ambitions in the field of climate-neutral aviation.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a pilot project to install air filters in 200 of the city's most polluted schools. At first glance, this sounds like a commendable initiative. But why did it have to come this far?
In Les Roche de Condrieux, an industrial area in France, the sulphur dioxide limit value was recently exceeded at one point. At 300 µg/m³, the hourly average was above the permitted value for two hours. The warning was only issued in the late afternoon.
Wallonia, known for its picturesque landscapes and charming towns, has decided to introduce a controversial low emission zone in 2022. The previous Walloon government had drawn up a plan to gradually ban the most polluting vehicles from the roads. This measure triggered fierce debate and unrest. However, the current Environment Minister Céline Tellier (Ecolo) appears to be overturning these plans.
Air pollution has been with us since the beginning of industrialisation. It is omnipresent, especially in cities. However, with technological progress and the relocation of factories away from city centres, air quality has improved in most wealthy countries. A major source of air pollution, the internal combustion engine, seems to be slowly being replaced by electric cars. But are electric cars really the environmentally friendly alternative they appear to be?
The climate crisis, one of the greatest challenges of our time, is becoming ever more tangible and its effects ever more evident. Paradoxically, one of the main causes of the alarming rise in CO2 emissions is the lack of water. This leads to dry soil, which in turn produces more particulate matter and favours the creation of new environmental zones.
A fresh breeze is blowing in the metropolis of Berlin - and that is to be taken literally. The environmental administration's new clean air plan shows that the air in the capital is getting cleaner, windier and yes, also more expensive. But what does this mean for residents and what does all this have to do with the new EU limits?
The American electric car manufacturer Tesla appears to be entering stormy waters. The Gigafactory in Grünheide, Brandenburg, is under massive fire. The accusation: excessive pollutant discharges into the groundwater. There is great concern about the quality of the groundwater and people in the region are deeply unsettled.
In its constant endeavour to protect the health of its citizens and the environment, the European Union has introduced a new set of air quality regulations. Following intensive negotiations between the European Parliament and representatives of the Member States, an agreement has been reached: The limit values for various air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, are to be significantly reduced by 2030. This reform has far-reaching implications for low emission zones in Europe.
Air pollution in the Thai metropolis of Bangkok is alarming. According to IQAir, a company specialising in international air quality monitoring, particulate matter levels are currently 15 times higher than recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This makes Bangkok one of the ten most polluted cities in the world.
