Three EU cities want to ban diesel to improve air quality and fight climate change.
Mayors of Paris, Madrid and Athens have pledged to ban diesel vehicles from by 2025.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
They want to improve air quality in their cities and help tackle climate change.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says around three million deaths a year are linked to outdoor air pollution.
Fumes from diesel vehicles are now considered a major contributor: they produce fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, considered among the worst pollutants.
A study last year found nearly 9,500 people died early each year in London due to exposure to the two pollutants.
Paris, Madrid and Athens joined Mexico City in pledging to ban diesel by 2025 at a biennial meeting of city chiefs in Mexico.
“The quality of the air that we breathe in our cities is directly linked to tackling climate change,” said Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena. “As we reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated in our cities, our air will become cleaner and our children, our grandparents and our neighbours will be healthier.”