The European Commission announced that it has decided to refer Bulgaria, Lithuania, Portugal and Sweden to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to meet commitments to reduce emissions of several air pollutants.
European rules set targets for reducing emissions of several pollutants that each country must achieve in the years between 2020 and 2029, as well as higher reductions after 2030. EU countries are required to establish and update national air pollution control programmes to show how these commitments will be met, the communication explains.
Bulgaria, Portugal and Sweden have not met their commitment to reduce emissions of ammonia, and Lithuania - of nitrogen oxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds.
In January 2023, the EC sent letters of formal notice to 14 countries that had not met their emission reduction commitments for 2020. Ammonia is the pollutant for which most countries have not met their obligations. After assessing the data received up to 2021, the Commission issued reasoned opinions for nine of these 14 countries. The latest emissions data up to 2023 show persistent shortcomings in achieving the emission reduction commitments for some countries. According to the Commission, the authorities' efforts so far have been insufficient and is therefore bringing the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The Commission will decide on further action when necessary, the communication adds.