Clean Air for Europe
The Clean Air For Europe (CAFE) programme was
set up in 2001, replacing the predecessor body the Air Quality
Steering Group (AQSG).
In 2002, the Sixth Environmental Action Plan
identified a number of key environmental priorities to be
addressed, through seven thematic strategies. One of these is
'Air', and the Clean Air for Europe programme is responsible for
its development.
The CAFE team and steering group
The CAFE team and steering group primarily seek to act as a
policy guidance body and performs a co-ordinating role with diverse
bodies such as the Joint Research Council (JRC), European
Environment Agency (EEA) and the Inter-Service Group (ISG) of all
relevant Commission Services. The CAFE team advise on where
research should be directed, making proposals to the European
Commission on numerical air quality objectives, developing
ideas for air pollution reduction measures and evaluating those
measures which are implemented. The CAFE steering group is composed
of representatives of the Member States, the staff of
the European Parliament, stakeholders and relevant
international organisations. It meets two to three times a year to
advise the European Commission on the strategic direction of the
programme.
CAFE and the implementation of the thematic strategy on air
pollution
The Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution is the
main medium term EU policy to tackle the detrimental effects of air
pollution in a coherent, cost effective manner through
targeted, cost-benefit analysed measures. One of the major
instruments developed to address air pollution in the medium term
is the Ambient Air Quality Directive, often referred to as the CAFE
Directive. This Directive came into force on 11 June 2008 and must
be transposed by Member States by 11 June 2010.