EU commission taking UK to court for emissions breaches

The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against the UK for failing to reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution throughout the country. Britain could face fines of up to £300 million a year for the high levels of nitrogen dioxide that are still being recorded. The country has been given warnings over the "excessive" levels for the last 15 years but has not done enough to reduce emissions and bring air quality within acceptable EU limits.

Nitrogen dioxide is mainly caused by traffic emissions, especially older models of diesel engines. This means that cities tend to have high levels of the pollutant, which can cause a number of different health complications. The UK could end up being fined heavily for failing to cut down on nitrogen dioxide emissions and face a number of court appearances.  

Although other countries within the EU have failed to meet with legal limits of air pollution, Britain has continued to persistently breach the air quality directive, according to Janez Potocnik. A formal letter stating the commission's intention of taking the UK to court has been sent to the government, which provides it with two months to respond.

The commission said in a statement: "Nitrogen dioxide is the main precursor for ground-level ozone causing major respiratory problems and leading to premature death. City-dwellers are particularly exposed, as most nitrogen dioxide originates in traffic fumes … air pollution limits are regularly exceeded in 16 zones across the UK."

Areas that are heavily affected by nitrogen dioxide pollution include Greater London, Southampton, West Yorkshire, Manchester, Hull, Glasgow and several others. According to the commission the UK as a whole has failed to delivered any suitable plans to meet with the standards outlined by the air quality directive by next year.

Air pollution is linked to thousands of premature deaths in the UK every year and causes a number of illnesses, including cancer and respiratory problems. Reducing emissions could help to reduce the health impact of air pollution and cut down the number of deaths and illnesses recorded each year.