Date set for European Court hearing on UK air pollution

Date set for European Court hearing on UK air pollution

 -       CJEU will hear ClientEarth’s case on 10 July 2014

-       Judgment will be binding on the UK courts and the national courts in all 28 EU member states

-       ClientEarth’s Lawyer Alan Andrews to answer questions on the case in front of the  Environmental Audit Committee tomorrow as part of their inquiry into Action on Air Quality London | 24 June 2014

 On 10 July 2014, ClientEarth’s case against the UK Government for breaching air quality limits will be heard by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg.

 Last year, the UK Supreme Court declared that the UK Government is breaching its legal duty to achieve limits for nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas produced mainly by diesel exhausts. It then asked the CJEU to rule on the precise meaning of certain provisions of the EU Air Quality Directive. The CJEU’s judgment is expected before the end of 2014. It will be binding on the UK courts and the national courts in all 28 EU member states. The case will then return to the UK Supreme Court in early 2015 for a final ruling.

 Alan Andrews, ClientEarth lawyer, said: “The UK Government claims that 2025 is the earliest it can possibly achieve legal limits that have been in force since 2010. The European Court’s ruling could force them to take urgent action to cut pollution from diesel vehicles much sooner. The best way to achieve this is a national network of Low Emission Zones. This ruling will also reach beyond the UK’s borders and could force governments across the EU to take action. Air pollution is Europe’s number one environmental health risk, causing nearly half a million early deaths each year. The earlier we can achieve these limits, the fewer people will be made sick or die early from heart attacks, asthma and strokes.”

 ClientEarth’s case concerns 16 cities and regions (including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow). Air pollution causes 29,000 early deaths a year in the UK – more than traffic accidents and passive smoking combined.

 Tomorrow (25 June), Alan Andrews will appear in front of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) as part of their inquiry to assess “Action on Air Quality.” Alan will be answering questions on the legal action and progress on air pollution since the EAC’s last report called for urgent action in 2011. The meeting in the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House will be transmitted live from 2:15pm.

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