A rise in the concentration of health-threatening dust particles causing pollution in many Italian cities has prompted the government to act. A host
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A rise in the concentration of health-threatening dust particles causing pollution in many Italian cities has prompted the government to act. A host of new measures have been put on the table for the whole country.
They include encouraging local councils to replace ageing buses with more environmentally friendly ones and incentives for drivers to trade in their cars for less polluting vehicles.
“On top of these measures there will also be discounts on public transport, bus and city metros. These discounts are supported by a fund of 12 million euros which will be made available by my ministry from the last day of 2015,” said Gian Luca Galetti, Italian Environment Minister.
The government’s move follows this week’s introduction of traffic and speed restrictions in Rome, Milan and several other cities. But the action failed to curb pollution levels.
Rockets, firecrackers and flares have been banned in public spaces in Milan, Bologna and Turin.
But environment activists said the measures do not go far enough.