Applications must be completed by 5 May. The Commission has opened a call for new experts to apply to join the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform. The renewed platform will continue to work to achieve the Commission’s zero pollution ambition.
Earlier this year, the European Commission published the mid-term review of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, which takes stock of the progress since 2021.
According to the Review, faster action is needed if the EU is to meet its zero-pollution targets. To drive progress, the Commission is relaunching the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform and inviting new members to join.
The Platform will:
- Identify and address social, economic and cultural barriers slowing the transition towards zero pollution
- Facilitate the exchange of views, experiences and good practices
- Highlight effective strategies, investments, innovations, digital solutions and skills development that support zero pollution
- Promote international cooperation
The call for new experts comes at the midway point towards the 2030 zero pollution targets, which can only be achieved if efforts are increased to implement the new or revised legislation on air, water, soil, waste, chemicals and nature.
Who can apply?
Organisations with experience in the following areas are encouraged to apply:
- Pollution prevention and control
- Management of air, noise, water, marine and soil pollution
- Reducing pollution from chemicals, products and waste
- Pollution governance and implementation
- Financing, investment and infrastructure
- Research, innovation and digitalisation
- industry and skills
The Commission encourages diverse applications, with due consideration given to geographical balance, areas of expertise, and gender balance.
The Director-General for Environment will appoint up to 50 members for a five-year term. The Directorate-General for Environment will also chair the platform, alongside a member from the Committee of the Regions and from the European Economic and Social Committee.
Selected applicants are expected to contribute to the development of a three-year work programme, which will be reviewed annually; to attend biannual meetings in Brussels, and to provide expertise and advice to support the implementation of the EU Water Resilience Strategy.
The first meeting of the renewed Platform is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
How to apply
The call for applications opens on 7 April 2026. All applications should be sent to ENV-ZERO-POLLUTION@ec.europa.eu.
Please ensure that your application is complete – it should include a cover letter on behalf of the organization, a Europass CV (for the representative chosen to select the organization applying), a classification form specifying the applicant’s member category, and a selection criteria form, all attached as PDFs.
These forms can be found in the annex of the Call for Applications PDF.
Only representatives of organisations or public entities may apply – individual experts are not eligible for membership. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Applications must be sent by 23:59 on 5 May.
Further details on the selection criteria and application process are available in the call for applications and terms of reference on the register of Commission Expert Groups page.
Background
The Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform was established on 16 December 2021 to support the implementation of the Zero Pollution Action Plan of 12 May 2021. It included 9 flagships and 33 actions, which are now largely implemented (see tracker).
The mid-term review of the Zero Pollution Action Plan on 29 January 2026, identified several new actions and focused on the key enablers: integration, investments and innovation. The report also emphasizes the economic and social benefits of pollution reduction measures.
Businesses, cities and regions are taking the lead to reap benefits such as increased productivity and improved agricultural yields. Companies and regions that invest in green technologies can dominate emerging, high-growth markets.
