Press release: 12 May 2022

EU court condemns Italy over illegal NO2 pollution

ClientEarth lawyers have reacted after the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Italy has breached the EU’s key air pollution law with excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution in cities across the country.

ClientEarth’s Director of Nature and Health Ugo Taddei said: “Multiple Italian cities routinely appear on lists of the most polluted places in the EU - it's no surprise that it has finally been condemned by the EU court. We can only hope that regional and national authorities finally start acknowledging the scale of the problem, and the very real impacts on people's lives, and implementing measures that genuinely make the air safer to breathe. This is people's right, and the government's legal responsibility.”

The CJEU previously ruled against Italy over toxic PM10 pollution.

ENDS

About ClientEarth

ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account, and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. From our offices in Europe, Asia and the USA we shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.