EU launches legal action over UK air quality

The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against the UK for its failure to cut excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The UK Supreme Court has already declared that air pollution limits are regularly exceeded in 16 zones across the UK. The Court also noted that air quality improvement plans estimate that for London compliance with EU standards will only be achieved by 2025, fifteen years after the original deadline, and in 2020 for the other 15 zones.

Although the original deadline for meeting the limit values was 1 January 2010, extensions have been agreed with member states that had a credible and workable plan for meeting air quality standards within five years of the original deadline, i.e. by January 2015. The UK has not presented any such plans and the Commission is therefore of the opinion that the UK is in breach of its obligations under the Air Quality Directive, and a letter of formal notice has been sent. The UK has two months to respond.

Source: European Commission press release 20 February 2014.

In this issue

A new EU clean air strategy up to 2030

At the very end of the EU’s “Year of Air” the European Commission finally presented its long-awaited new clean air policy package, including a proposal for member states to further cut their national air pollutant emissions up to 2030.

Editorial: Need for ambitious and explicit targets

In its White Paper on climate and energy, presented on 22 January, the EU Commission declares that it wants to see cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of 40 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels (see page 22). At the same time it proposes scrapping national targets ..

Banking on coal – undermining our climate

A new study reveals the top twenty international banks that are financing the coal mining industry and the hot spots of global coal production.

Ships should use advanced emissions monitoring

Advanced emissions monitoring of large ships calling at EU ports could help save owners and operators of large ships up to €9 million per year.

Emission controls for medium combustion plants

EU-wide application of the most stringent standards now used in member states would reduce NOx emissions from these plants by nearly 80 per cent by 2025, but the new directive will deliver less than half of this reduction.

Hamburg commits to fossil fuel beyond 2050

The city of Hamburg’s climate ambitions are overshadowed by a new Vattenfall coal power plant, which will emit 8.7 million tons of CO₂ annually when it comes into operation.

Cutting emissions from heaters and wood-fired stoves

From 2015, new residential wood-fired stoves and heaters in the US should be less polluting and more efficient.

CCS no more in Norway

A full-scale CCS plant would be too expensive, that is the explanation given as Norway abandons its originally ambitious plans for the technology.

Most corals will bleach at 1.5°C

A quarter of marine biological diversity depends on coral reefs. Now researchers estimate that only 10 per cent of the reefs might survive at a temperature increase of only 1.5°C.

Oceans acidify at unprecedented rate

The rate of ocean acidification is the highest in 300 million years. The predicted effects on food webs and biodiversity will impact aquaculture and societies around the world.

Uncertain future for further emission reductions

Difficulties with shifting to renewables and rising emissions from aviation are two hurdles that the EU needs to overcome in order to achieve its climate targets in the transport sector.

Don’t delay NECAs!

Delaying agreed NOx standards would have several extremely negative consequences, including increased emissions and subsequent damage to health and ecosystems.

Stricter emission standards for non-EU power plants

The health and environmental benefits for eight non-EU countries to comply with EU emission limit values for large combustion plants are on average 17 times the costs.

EU climate and energy targets for 2030

To keep its international climate pledges, the EU must adopt three ambitious, binding targets for greenhouse gas reductions, renewable energy and energy savings.