European Parliament

10/13/2025 | Press release | Archived content

Commission’s responsibility for air quality and public health in Ioannina

Commission's responsibility for air quality and public health in Ioannina

13.10.2025

Question for written answer E-003999/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE)

According to the IQAir 2024 report, Ioannina is the most polluted city in Greece in terms of PM2,5 concentrations, with values up to five times above WHO limits. PM10 levels are also frequently exceeded. This situation is significantly impacting public health.

A proposal has been made for the new local urban development plan to classify areas south of Pedinì as 'light industrial zones', near the hospital, university and a Natura protected area. There are also concerns that some projects could be financed through the recovery fund, exacerbating air pollution rather than reducing it.

Due to the geomorphological characteristics of the basin, Ioannina's City Council unanimously decided to exhaust all possibilities for relocating industrial units beyond its boundaries.

In view of the above:

  • 1.How does the Commission justify its tolerance for proposals that violate the spirit of the Green Deal and the 'zero pollution' goal?
  • 2.What responsibility does it assume in financing, through the recovery fund, projects that risk exacerbating an already alarming situation?
  • 3.Would it be willing to actively support the local community's decisions to relocate industries, or will it choose to remain a spectator?

Submitted: 13.10.2025

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