EU Commission takes UK to court over air pollution
The European Commission is set to take the UK to court over failures to adequately deal with air pollution. The EU specifically cited nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from diesel engines as being excessive in a number of UK cities.
This marks the first time that the European Commission has launched legal proceedings against a member state for failing to comply with limits placed on NO2.
The UK is far from the only country breaching EU air pollution standards. Denmark, Greece, France and Sweden have all fallen short of the EU's air pollution directive, which was introduced in 2008.
The UK was supposed to be in compliance with the European regulations by 2010. However, Some member states were able to obtain a five year delay to the plans if they made contingencies to significantly reduce their levels of NO2.
Many of the UK's cities have been unable to make the target, with air pollution limits regularly exceeded in 16 zones across the UK. London alone will not be able to meet EU targets until 2025.
European Commission spokesman Joe Hennon said:
Our priority is to protect public health and the environment.
We think that's what the people of the UK would want as well.
The Commission's decision could land the UK in the European Court of Justice facing massive fines should it be found to be breaching EU rules.