top of page
b2.png

Transformative Mindset Course

Module 8.

A zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment

Author:

Georgia Spiliopoulou

​

Institution:

Hellenic Agency for Local Development & Local Government, Greece

bar.png

Objectives of the training module include:

This Module aims to provide Local Authorities’ and NGOs’ staff with:

  • An introduction to the most complex and multifaceted part of the European Green Deal, pollution, and an outline of its effects on human health and biodiversity 

  • Basic knowledge of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, as proposed through the European Green Deal  

  • Solutions, suggested by the Commission and the Committee of the Regions, specifically designed for cities

  • Ways in which local authorities can contribute, apart from following EU and national law and policies, such as informing and engaging citizens, NGO’s and stakeholders

  • Relevant best practices and success stories that can be implemented on a local level

  • Extra material, for those who wish to obtain further and deeper knowledge  

Content of the Module:

  • The holistic approach of the EU regarding the protection of the environment, namely reducing and preventing air, water and soil pollution.  

  • The adverse effects that an unhealthy environment has on people, such as related non-communicable diseases and the top environmental stressors, detected in the EU. 

  • The European Commission’s plan to achieve a zero pollution environment, including all and any strategy/ programme/ action plan, related to the protection of the environment. 

  • The importance of the contribution of cities, in order to achieve the goals of the EU.

  • A zero pollution best practice, that can be easily implemented by other cities. 

 

  • Teaching methods: self paced learning material, case study, quiz, additional studying material

  • Duration: 2.5 hours

Glossary

  • Climate change: long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. It can be natural, but human activities are considered to be the main driver of climate change, since the industrial revolution (18th-19th century). 

Source: United Nations, Climate Action, https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change 

  • Disability-adjusted life year (DALY): “One DALY represents the loss of the equivalent of one year of full health. DALYs for a disease or health condition are the sum of the years of life lost to due to premature mortality (YLLs) and the years lived with a disability (YLDs) due to prevalent cases of the disease or health condition in a population”.

Source: WHO, The Global Health Observatory, Indicator Metadata Registry List, https://www.who.int/data/gho/indicator-metadata-registry/imr-details/158 

  • European Environment Agency (EEA): an EU agency, tasked to provide sound, independent information on the environment. Apart from the 27 EU member states, there are also 6 cooperating countries, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. When referred to EEA-33, UK is also included.

 Source: EEA, Countries and Regions, https://www.eea.europa.eu/countries-and-regions 

  • Precautionary approach/ principle: it enables decision-makers and law-makers to adopt precautionary measures, when scientific evidence about an environmental or human health hazard is uncertain and the stakes are high.

Source: European Parliament Think Tank, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_IDA(2015)573876 

  • Polluter pays principle: it dictates that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.

Source: EEA Glossary, https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/polluter-pays-principle  

Using Mesh Bag

Teaching

Material

unnamed (16).jpg

Case Study 1:

Upgrading municipal water systems
Clean and safe water: a basic human need

An obligation under EU law

  • According to the Drinking Water Directive, Member States need to ensure that water intended for human consumption is wholesome and clean. 

  • In many occasions, local authorities are responsible for water systems.

  • Improper water systems can threaten human health (inflow contamination, pipe material etc.), cause waste of recourses (leakages, unnecessary energy consumption) and more.

Extra benefits for the citizens

  • Better controlled flow/ water pressure can lead to less consumption.

  •  Less damages and quicker repairment, in case a damage occurs.

  • Reduction of cases of overcharges and water theft.

  • Reduction of Operation and Maintenance costs.

  • Increased system reliability, especially during extreme weather (heatwaves, droughts, sub-zero temperatures).  

The Municipality of Lokroi

  • The Greek municipality consists of 14 villages and many more remote settlements.

  • Due to the lack of natural resources, the municipality relies for its water supply in pumping stations, through which tanks are filled for the water supply of the citizens.

The problem

  • A significant number of separate pumping stations and tanks are scattered throughout the area, thus increasing the cost of water supply for everyone in the municipality. 

  • During the summer, pumping stations face electrical issues that the municipality is slow to realize, resulting to the citizens not having water, until the damage is repaired. The tanks empty faster in the summer months.

  • There is an estimated 59% water loss and an estimated 1m. € annual cost in electricity, related to the supply of water to the 20,000 inhabitants, corresponding to 2/3 of the total electricity consumption of the municipality.

​

Source: EGD4CITIES, Interview with the Mayor, Mr A. Zekentes

Telemetry can reduce energy and water waste

  • Telemetric systems offer an opportunity to monitor remotely the proper operation of pumping stations and the amount of water in the tanks. 

  • The remote provision of information makes telemetry very useful for fragmented municipalities with inaccessible areas.

Expected Results 

  • Help in locating and avoiding water interception/ theft, by recording the amount of water collected from the pumping station and comparing it with the amount that ends up in the respective tank, telemetry should. 

  • Assist in the correction of “invisible” damages, which have a significant environmental and economic effects, as they lead to further, unnecessary operation of the system, waste of water and overconsumption of electricity. 

  • Reduce over-pumping, which burdens the aquifer and leads to the pumping of low quality water.

  • Secure a smoother start and end of operation by changing the electrical panels at the pumping stations, that is expected to lead to energy savings of 15%, along with reduction of damages.

  • Money saved is expected to be used for the further improvement of the water supply system and/or other improvement projects of the municipality.

​

Source: EGD4CITIES, Interview with the Mayor, Mr A. Zekentes

​

Photo by: Silvan Schuppisser, Unsplash

Additional materials & sources of information

Literature

Teacher and Blackboard
bottom of page