The UK will need to improve its plans for tackling air pollution after the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the government has breached laws that protect people from the harmful effects of air pollution.
The UK will need to improve its plans for tackling air pollution after the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the government has breached laws that protect people from the harmful effects of air pollution.
The ruling paves the way for the European Commission to take legal action against the UK.
The case, brought by ClientEarth, concerns 16 cities and regions (including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow) which government plans show will suffer from illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas, until as late as 2020 or 2025.
Five judges ruled that Defra – the government department responsible for policy and regulations on environmental, food and rural issues – has breached the EU’s Air Quality Directive because its plans will fail to ensure the country meets legal EU limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels by 2015.
The Supreme Court confirmed that because the government is in breach of the EU Air Quality Directive, the way is now open for “immediate enforcement action at national or European level”.
ClientEarth CEO James Thornton called it a “historic ruling” which “marks a turning point in the fight for clean air”.
“Faced with court action on two fronts, he must now come up with an ambitious plan to protect people from carcinogenic diesel fumes. Until now, his only policy has been lobbying in Europe to try and weaken air pollution laws,” he said.
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12 Responses to “Supreme Court rules UK government is breaching pollution laws”
SadButMadLad
Defra downplay the numbers? You got to be joking. Think about their raison d’être. They depend on making pollution a big huge problem so that they can get more money and grow their empire.
Cole
Er, Owen Paterson. In what way is he an ‘environment’ minister?
Cole
Er, Owen Paterson. In what way is he an ‘environment’ minister?
SadButMadLad
No not politicians growing their empire. Defra itself. Civil servants. Bigger budget, more staff, more influence. What’s not to like about making things sound scarier than they are if that’s the result. Simple FUD.
As for Owen, he’s more for the farmers than any other cause. Farmers are sometimes in favour of the environment, sometimes they abuse it.
SadButMadLad
No not politicians growing their empire. Defra itself. Civil servants. Bigger budget, more staff, more influence. What’s not to like about making things sound scarier than they are if that’s the result. Simple FUD.
As for Owen, he’s more for the farmers than any other cause. Farmers are sometimes in favour of the environment, sometimes they abuse it.