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The European Light Pollution Manifesto

A comprehensive guide addressing the multifaceted impacts of light pollution in Europe.

First adopted during Spain’s 2023 EU Council Presidency, the Manifesto for Tackling Light Pollution & Proposing EU Light Pollution Monitoring (European Light Pollution Manifesto) marks a major step in Europe’s movement to protect and reclaim the night. Learn more about this landmark initiative and show your support by adding your name below.

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What is the European Light Pollution Manifesto?

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The need for light pollution monitoring and regulation in Europe

What is the European Light Pollution Manifesto?

Europe at night viewed from space with city lights in European Union countries and cities. Image credit: Nico ElNino & NASA

The European Light Pollution Manifesto is a key document adopted during Spain’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2023 (Granada, Spain). It builds on the progress made under the Czech Presidency in 2022, which prioritized light pollution as an environmental issue and led to the Brno Appeal to Reduce Light Pollution in Europe. This manifesto continues efforts to have light pollution recognized as a serious concern across Europe.

EU presidencies help shape the Council’s work on legislation, ensuring smooth decision-making, cooperation among member states, and continuity of key priorities. Addressing light pollution at this level is a major opportunity to raise awareness and push for stronger policies.

The European Light Pollution Manifesto calls for coordinated action to reduce the negative impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN). It proposes strategies for monitoring and reducing light pollution and urges European institutions to integrate these efforts into new and existing EU policies. The manifesto highlights the importance of protecting the night sky, preserving ecosystems, improving human well-being, and increasing energy efficiency through responsible lighting. By recognizing the nighttime environment as essential to conservation, this document lays the foundation for a united effort to restore natural darkness across Europe.

Download and read the full document

Read the full European Light Pollution Manifesto, including source documentation and information.

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Key Objectives of the European Light Pollution Manifesto:

  1. Promote legal and policy recognition of artificial light as a pollutant.
  2. Set targets to reduce light pollution.
  3. Integrate light pollution into environmental monitoring.
  4. Ensure continuous light pollution measurement.
  5. Mitigate light pollution for environmental protection.
  6. Ensure open and accessible lighting data.

Sign the European Light Pollution Manifesto

Sign the form below to show your support for the European Manifesto on Light Pollution.

I agree to my information and details being stored and transmitted by DarkSky International to the authors of the European Light Pollution Manifesto for the purposes of data analysis and outreach, in compliance with the GDPR and/or other applicable data protection laws based on my location.(Required)

The need for light pollution monitoring and regulation in Europe

A view of the Milky Way over Gantrisch Dark Sky Zone, Switzerland, an International Dark Sky Park, with sky glow from a nearby town.
 Credit: Steven Berger

Light pollution is a growing yet often overlooked environmental concern on the European political agenda. By endorsing the manifesto, you support efforts to reduce excessive artificial light, protect ecosystems, promote adequate lighting solutions, and ensure that future generations can experience a naturally dark night sky.

This manifesto lays the foundation for future policy changes in Europe, advocating for stronger regulations and monitoring systems. Supporting this initiative means advocating for evidence-based policymaking that balances human needs with environmental responsibility. Your support will help communicate the forthcoming policy brief, developed within the PLAN-B Horizon Europe project, and strengthen other initiatives working towards the political recognition of light pollution in Europe and beyond. 

Join us in calling for action to protect the disappearing nocturnal environment in the EU.

Additional resources

  • Advocate Action meeting: The European manifesto for tackling and monitoring light pollution. Watch recording.
  • News from the Organizers: Updates from the Meeting on Light Pollution: Challenges and Responses for Monitoring It, hosted during Spain’s 2023 EU Council Presidency. Read more.
  • DarkSky International and the Brno Appeal: DarkSky International endorsed the Brno Appeal, a document from the Czech Republic’s EU Presidency, pushing for Europe-wide action on light pollution. Learn more.
  • Alejandro Sánchez’s Presentations: Insights from Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel at the Czech Republic’s Ministry of the Environment Light Pollution Conference, covering efforts during the Spanish Presidency and broader actions. View presentation.
  • European Light Pollution Manifesto (Zenodo Version): For academic citation, the official DOI version of the Manifesto for Tackling Light Pollution & Proposing EU Light Pollution Monitoring is available on Zenodo. Access here.
    • Citation: Yakushina, Y., Smith, D., & Sánchez de Miguel, A. (2024). Manifesto for Tackling Light Pollution & Proposing EU Light Pollution Monitoring. Meeting on Light Pollution: Challenges and Responses for Monitoring It, Granada, Spain. Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13831932.
  • PLAN-B Horizon Europe Project: A major EU initiative on sustainability and pollution, with DarkSky International serving as an Advisory Board member. Explore the project.
  • New Light Pollution Map of Europe: Developed by Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel and his team under PLAN-B and another research initiative.
  • Global Light Pollution Laws Database: A comprehensive database of light pollution regulations worldwide, developed by the University of Arizona, Yana Yakushina, and DarkSky International. Search the database.