New

According to a study on the impact of air pollution on life expectancy in Slovakia, conducted in cooperation with the Institute for Environmental Policy, poor air quality reduces the average life expectancy of people in Slovakia by more than one year. In the most affected municipalities, polluted air can shorten residents’ lives by more than two years. Air pollution contributes to illness and the associated social and economic costs. It is therefore essential to take timely action and reduce emissions at their source.

To reduce energy consumption, the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic continues to support households at risk of energy poverty through the Obnov dom mini+ (Renovate Your Home mini+) programme. More than 16,900 homeowners can receive grants of up to €11,000 to renovate their houses. In addition to improving energy efficiency, home renovations also help reduce emissions.

Targeted assistance and measures aimed at reducing emissions are also important in light of stricter European air quality requirements. The new EU Ambient Air Quality Directive introduces stricter limit values for several air pollutants from 2030 onwards. An important part of the new rules is also keeping the public informed about air quality.

Activities carried out under the LIFE Populair project, co-funded by the European Union, help raise public awareness of air quality and the ways in which it can be improved. As part of the project, the Ministry, in cooperation with the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, the Slovak Environment Agency and participating self-governing regions, is developing a pilot network of low-cost sensors. This network will complement the National Air Quality Monitoring Network by providing indicative monitoring data. The sensors will measure concentrations of particulate matter in locations where air quality is affected by household heating using solid fuels.

Education and awareness-raising are also important components of the LIFE Populair project. The Mobile Heating School provides households with practical information on proper and efficient heating. Using a specially adapted trailer equipped with demonstrations of solid-fuel heating appliances, it shows first-hand how heating practices and appliance maintenance affect emissions. The educational campaign Something Is in the Air introduces primary and secondary school pupils to the topic of air protection.

Air quality is linked to several areas of public policy and requires a coordinated approach across different government sectors. This is why inter-ministerial cooperation on air protection has been established. Working groups focus on effective air quality management, health protection, environmental education and awareness-raising, energy affordability, sustainable mobility and funding for air quality improvement measures. The aim is to bring these different areas together and coordinate actions that will contribute to further reducing air pollution in Slovakia.

You can follow the current air quality situation at www.dnesdycham.sk 

More information:

www.populair.sk