EU court convicts Athens over NO2 emissions
Finding that Greece’s nitrogen dioxide limits were systematically exceeded between 2010 and 2020, the European Commission has condemned Athens over its poor air quality and for failing to take the necessary measures.
The condemnation was announced Thursday by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Based on Greece’s annual air quality reports for the period 2010-2016, the Commission launched proceedings against the country in 2019 after finding that NO2 limits were systematically exceeded in Athens.
Greece ultimately failed to convince the Commission, and new data for 2016-2020 confirmed air pollution remained at high levels.
It said Greece has systematically and continuously failed to fulfill its obligations under Directive 2008/50/EC.
It also noted that by June 2020 the country should have drawn up air quality plans, an obligation which the Greek state failed to fulfill.
