EC takes Italy to court for failing to tackle air pollution

The European Commission announced on Thursday it would refer Italy to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) for failing to cut air pollution in 10 urban areas home to seven million people.

Despite earlier infringement notices from the Commission, Italy has failed to meet nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limits set out under the ambient air quality directive, the EU executive said.

The decision is part of the monthly package of legal proceedings against EU countries that do not meet their obligations under EU law.