France fined further $15m for air pollution failures in Paris, Lyon
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Nitrogen dioxide levels remain above the European threshold in Paris and Lyon.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – France’s top administrative court ordered the state to pay a further €10 million (S$14.7 million) over lingering air pollution in two major cities.
Nitrogen dioxide levels remain above the European threshold in Paris and Lyon.
Current and planned actions would not bring them below the limit within a short timeframe, the Conseil d’Etat said in its ruling on Nov 24.
The penalty consists of two fines of €5 million each, corresponding to the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.
It was reduced by half to take into account improvements in air quality in some zones.
Most of the fine will go to government agencies tasked with fighting climate change and air pollution.
In a statement, the French Environment Ministry said it is working to hit those thresholds as quickly as possible, both on national and local levels.
The court previously fined the state €30 million in 2021 and 2022 for falling short on air quality improvement.
It said it would evaluate the government’s actions again in 2024. BLOOMBERG
