THE APPLICATION of a low-emissions model in the center of large cities
is a positive measure aimed at the well-being of citizens
, which the main European capitals have already successfully opted for.
Only 20 so far have done so in Spain, among them Madrid, with notable results, and Barcelona, a failure.
However, if anti-pollution measures are necessary,
a gradual implementation that does not leave anyone behind or cause injustices
or end up being counterproductive to progress is also important, as well as an educational effort.
That is to say, it is necessary to report what they are for, signpost them clearly and try to ensure that the problem does not spread to adjacent areas.
And, very especially,
consider the difficulties for the green transition that the less affluent classes will face
, among whom are the owners of the 10 million unlabeled cars that will be excluded from clean areas.
Most of them cannot access electric or low-emission vehicles, the fleet of which is still very small in our country due to its price and lack of infrastructure, and many have no alternative to develop their profession or get to work.
For reasons like this or the delay of the next generation funds that are needed to implement the Low Emission Zones (ZBE), the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, chaired by the socialist Abel Caballero, had asked the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, to delay the publication of the Royal Decree that provides legal coverage to force the 149 Spanish cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants to apply them now.
The Climate Change Law had collected them since May 2021, but
only about twenty municipalities were able to do so
, and many of them with moratoriums for those most affected or restricted to school zones.
Spain needs breathable cities and for this, both the redesign of mobility and the change in the mentality of citizens are key.
80% already live in urban areas with more than 10,000 inhabitants and the trend will rise in the next quarter of a century.
It is essential to plan another ecosystem: environments with clean air, less noise and committed to decarbonization
.
The EU Justice issued a warning to Spain in December, condemning it for non-compliance with pollution levels in Madrid and Barcelona.
Every year there are 20,000 premature deaths in Spain due to pollution, according to the European Environment Agency.
But it would have been desirable for the Ministry to attend to the request of the town halls to achieve
a gradual and not hasty application
, within a comprehensive aid plan for the renewal of the automobile fleet and in step with the arrival of European funds for the adaptation of the large cities.
If the goal is common, no one should be left behind.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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