Dear all,
You may be interested in court ruling today about air pollution, here is
the press release issued this morning on the subject, entire text copied
below. Here is the link to Jean's website:
http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/2014/11/19/air-pollution-ecj-clientearth-defra/Thank you,
-Claire
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Press release
19.11.2014For immediate Release
*Air pollution - EU court judgment on the application of ClientEarth v The
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs*
This morning (November 19), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered
its judgment [1] in a case brought by Client Earth [2] against the UK
government over its continued and persistent failure to reduce air
pollution. Around 4 300 [2] early deaths occur each year in London that are
attributed to air quality related illness – more than deaths attributed to
alcoholism or obesity.
Jean Lambert, London Green MEP said:
‘If the government cannot make sure that the air we breathe is clean and
safe, the courts must do something – this decision means that people can
bring actions, and rightly so. Here in London, overall one of the most
polluted places in Britain, the Euston Road is already four times over the
legal limit for nitrogen dioxide levels. This is due to two factors,
Mayoral inaction from Boris Johnson and unacceptably high nitrogen dioxide
levels, I’d like to see both go.’
This ruling is significant because it is the ECJ’s first ruling on the
effect of the Air Quality Directive, and will determine what action the UK
courts take against the government. It will also set a precedent in
respects of EU law which could clear the path for a series of legal
challenges across Europe where governments are not protecting people from
air pollution.
The case will return to the UK Supreme Court for a final ruling next year,
when judges will apply the ECJ’s ruling to the facts in the UK case. This
means that it is possible for the UK Supreme Court to order the government
to instigate new plans to meet limits faster.
ENDS
Notes To Editors
[1]
http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2014-11/cp140153en.pdf[2]
http://www.clientearth.org/[3]
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/ultra-low-emission-zone/user_uploads/ulez-supplementary-information---final-291014.pdf-1--
Claire Norman
Media and PR Officer to Jean Lambert, MEP
Green Member of the European Parliament for London
Can Mezzanine
49-51 East Road
London
N1 6AH
Office: 020 7250 8417
Mobile: 07917 881 648
Email:
media@jeanlambertmep.org.ukWebsite:
http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk<
http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/>
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