Bridging the gap between local and EU level

Working Group Noise

henk.wolfert@dcmr.nl

Content

Introduction
Informing the public
Noise Questionnaire WG Noise 2008
Position paper on END 2009
Conclusions

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bridging the gap between local and

EU level

How it often works

barriers
gaps
interests

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bridging the gap between local and

EU level

How to bridge?
Using networks such as EUROCITIES, CEMR etc.
Participation in programmes or projects EU
Participation in EU consultations etc.
Visibility at European level
Initiatives or supporting initiatives (Covenant of Mayors/Declaration
on Climate Change)

Gaining interest (politicians & public)

Cities(governments) should be shining examples

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bridging the gap between local and

EU level

Noise Questionnaire,some findings

55% of citizens in cities are exposed > 55dB Lden

Most cities are aware of their noise problems

Poor progress has been made on noise reduction

Poor progress on noise reduction at source

END is helpful to show the extent of noise exposure EU

END isn't effective enough

Doubting about adding limits to the END

Quiet Urban Areas, where are they?

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bridging the gap between local and

EU level

Cities are the appropriate level

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cities cannot solve noise problems itself

local measures are limited
lack of funding
noise is not a priority!

bridging the gap between local and

EU level

Obstacles

70% world population live in cities

traffic noise is most generated in cities
most noise exposed people are living in cities

If policy makers and politicians dont prioritise noise

Politicians/policy makers
Connections with:

Public
Informing:

Health/economics

Be ware of myths & failures

Other environmental issues

Media (health, women magazines)

Media (health, women

magazines etc.)

Give noise a face

Using social networks

NGOs voice of noise

Public and Politicians

Multi-level approach

Integrated/holistic approach
Visualization

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bridging the gap between local and

EU level

Informing the public

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bridging the gap between local and

EU level

Position Paper on END

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Visualisation Noise exposure in EU

Obtaining data

Common methods

Informing the public

Cross border situation

Action Plans

Quiet Urban Areas

Military sites

Threshold value too high

bridging the gap between local and

EU level

European policies
Enhancing Emission Limit Values
Improving the Environmental Noise Directive
[incl. stronger link between noise at source and community noise]

Measures to stimulate the debate between politics and public

Introduction of competition between MS, cities, producers ..
Visualization of noise or noise+ (EEA) and noise effects
Introduction of noise labels (products, receivers)
Noise awareness
More emphasis on the quiet (urban) areas
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conclusions
Cities must fulfil their responsibilities
[noise maps, action plans, measures, deadlines]

EU must fulfil their responsibilities

[stricter ELVs, political debate, awareness etc.]

Be active in Europes networks

Allies in combating noise
Communication strategy to persuade politicians,
producers and consumers to change behaviour
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EU level

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thank you
for your atten
tion!

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EU level

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