Current initiatives

Reductions of fine particulate matter and noise in local communities in Austria:

Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, over the past two calendar years. Fine particulate matter is the air pollutant with the highest impact on health in terms of premature death and disease. Despite the health risks it poses, there is a general lack of knowledge on citizens’ rights and the applicable legal framework for combating poor air quality. This lack of awareness represents a major barrier to any amelioration of the situation, as communities and local governments do not place due focus on measures designed to reduce PM2.5 levels. In order to counteract the damaging effects of air pollution, CEHRI supports strategic legal proceedings and initiatives aimed at the implementation of fine dust and noise reduction measures. 

Regarding noise in local communities, CEHRI assists individuals pursuing legal action against noise disturbances caused by traffic. A key target of the European Commission’s zero pollution action plan is to reduce the number of people chronically disturbed by noise from transport in the EU by 30%, compared with 2017 levels, by 2030. Noise annoyance, stress reactions,  and sleep disturbance are the most prevalent health effects of exposure to noise from transport sources and affect millions of people across Europe. In fact, road traffic noise is the most prevalent source of environmental noise and contributes the most to the overall effects of noise on health. Hence, CEHRI strives to create a positive change in both local and regional communities by contributing to a body of binding case law which will directly result in the amelioration of affected communities’ quality of life, and also the environment more generally.