Noise and light pollution

Reply to Recommendation | Doc. 12644 | 20 June 2011

Author(s):

Committee of Ministers

Origin

adopted at the 1116th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (15-16 June 2011) 2011 - Third part-session

Reply to Recommendation

: Recommendation 1947 (2010)

Thesaurus

1. The Committee of Ministers has examined Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1947 (2010) on “Noise and light pollution”. It has brought the recommendation to the attention of governments. It has also communicated it to the Committee of Senior Officials of the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial/Regional Planning (CEMAT).

2. In its texts, the Assembly has addressed issues of noise, as a pollutant which is irritating and potentially harmful to humans and animals, and light pollution, a growing problem particularly because of its potential effects on ecosystems and the implications of excessive energy consumption. The Committee of Ministers understands the Assembly’s concerns and its wish that effective measures are implemented in order to limit and, to the extent possible, suppress noise and light pollution. To this end, the Committee of Ministers has noted the invitation to member and observer states of the Council of Europe to review their legislation regarding noise and light pollution to ensure that it is relevant to the present day situation (paragraph 2.1). In this respect, it would draw attention to the “Manual on human rights and the environment – Principles emerging from the case law of the European Court of Human Rights” (2006), an updated version of which is currently being prepared.

3. With regard to paragraph 2.2, the Committee of Ministers would recall that the Organisation is currently focusing on streamlining its activities with a view to concentrating its limited resources on promoting its core objectives. At this stage, it does not consider that this recommendation falls within those priorities.