New Policy Brief: A Policy Agenda for Light Pollution Mitigation in Europe

A new policy brief, ‘Restoring the Night: A Policy Agenda for Light Pollution Mitigation in Europe,’ has been officially released by the PLAN-B project, in close collaboration with AquaPLAN.

This policy brief provides strategic guidance for the European Union to take steps towards addressing light pollution, recognising its adverse environmental impacts, harmonising efforts and providing a framework for coordinated national action, as well as promoting science-based regulation and management of artificial light at night (ALAN).

It presents 10 key policy recommendations, applicable not only across the EU but also globally, to support the responsible and ecologically sustainable use of ALAN:

1. Recognise light pollution as a form of environmental pollution
2. Recognise night as an integral part of nature
3. Define ecological limits for ALAN use
4. Set ambitious targets to reduce light pollution
5. Develop a coherent, harmonised regulatory framework
6. Require monitoring and environmental impact assessment of light pollution
7. Ensure the openness and transparency of ALAN and light pollution data
8. Support education and research on ALAN and its impacts, as well as lighting design and planning
9. Enhance and initiate awareness-raising campaigns
10. Promote international cooperation and alignment

To support policy action aimed at reducing light pollution, individuals are encouraged to sign the support form, while organisations may endorse the initiative by signing the support letter, available upon request from the contact persons listed in the policy brief.

Read the Policy Brief