Firms call for improvement to air quality targets

A host of European-based businesses have signed a declaration calling for the EU to improve on its air quality targets.

More than 70 companies from across the continent have joined forces to make the demand ahead of the EU Environment Council on June 21st 2011.

The group represents around 3.8 million employees and has an annual combined turnover of €1 trillion (£873 billion).

It is hoped the EU will aim to cut carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2020, rather than the current target of just 20 per cent.

Head of climate change at World Wildlife Fund UK Keith Allott said that introducing the 30 per cent goal would be a "logical" decision.

"Sticking with the current EU 20 per cent target would simply perpetuate a cycle of low ambition that will inevitably lead to dangerous climate change," he remarked.

A recent study conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has indicated that air quality targets may not be met until 2025 in certain parts of the UK.

Posted by Joseph Hutton