WIREDGOV

The Commission recently (12 Novemebr 2021) decided to refer Portugal to the Court of Justice of the European Union over poor air quality caused by high levels of nitrogen dioxide. When the limit values set by the EU's ambient air quality legislation are exceeded (Directive 2008/50/EC), Member States are required to adopt air quality plans to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to keep the duration of the exceedance period as short as possible.

The European Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Action Plan emphasise the importance of cutting air pollution, which is among the key factors negatively affecting human health. Full implementation of the air quality standards enshrined in EU legislation is key to effectively protect human health and safeguard the natural environment.

Portugal has continually and persistently exceeded the annual nitrogen dioxide limit value in three air quality zones (‘Lisboa Norte', ‘Porto Litoral', and ‘Entre Douro e Minho'). Air pollution from nitrogen dioxide in these air quality zones results mostly from road traffic, in particular from diesel vehicles. Portugal has also failed to adopt appropriate measures to keep the exceedance period as short as possible.

The Commission sent a Letter of Formal Notice to Portugal on air quality in May 2019, followed by a Reasoned Opinion in February 2020.  The Commission therefore considers that efforts by the Portuguese authorities have to date been unsatisfactory and insufficient, and is referring Portugal to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Click here for the full press release