About: nitrogen oxides
German coal plant exposed as Europe’s single worst air polluter
The Niederaussem coal plant and mine, operated by RWE, was singled out as Europe’s largest hotspot for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution, according to a groundbreaking analysis of new satellite imagery. London’s polluted air, caused mainly by transport emissions, comes second.
Diesel summit takeaway: voluntary retrofits will not stop driving bans in cities
Germany’s diesel summit with car companies this week was a disappointment and does little to cut air pollution, writes Ugo Taddei.
The EU finally has new air pollution rules – now, let’s enforce them
EU governments have been too weak on air pollution. Brussels must step in to ensure member states protect their citizens, writes Louise Duprez.
Vans: Falling through the cracks of Europe’s transport policy
Light commercial vehicles are increasingly being used as a means to dodge social legislation and taxes, writes Samuel Kenny.
Parliament cuts deal to halve deaths from air pollution
The European Council and Parliament agreed on 30 June to revise the National Emission Ceilings Directive, aiming to halve deaths related to air pollution by 2030. Journal de l'Environnement reports.
20 cities challenge relaxation of EU air pollution standards
Ordered to cut air pollution levels by Brussels, a group of EU cities are taking the Commission to court over its decision to relax car emissions standards, making their objectives even less attainable. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission set to override 125,000-signature air pollution petition
The Commission's decision to increase car emissions limits is set to be written into EU law, despite a petition launched by a group of 20 European cities and signed by 125,000 people. EURACTIV France reports.
France launches ‘aggravated fraud’ inquiry into dieselgate
French prosecutors have opened an inquiry into Volkswagn for “aggravated fraud”. Our partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Greens accuse France of double standards on diesel emissions
French Green MEPs have called on Ségolène Royal to challenge the EU’s new diesel emissions limits, but the ecology minister supported the lower standards when they were adopted in October. EURACTIV France reports.
‘Significant behaviour shifts’ needed to cut transport emissions
Reaching the European emissions reduction targets will require citizens to change their driving habits and embrace alternative modes of transport, according to a new report by the EAA. Our partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
EU asks members to investigate after VW concedes further irregularities
The European Commission has written to all 28 European Union member countries urging them to widen their investigations into breaches of vehicle emissions rules after Volkswagen admitted it had understated carbon dioxide levels.
Dieselgate should act as a catalyst for the removal of diesel cars from our roads
The Dieselgate scandal has highlighted the dangers of NOx emissions and the justified public backlash should be used as momentum to make sure public health is not put in further danger, write Jordi Sunyer and David Rojas-Rueda.
Air quality at a crossroads
Improving the EU’s poor air quality requires stricter regulation and significant investment. But the long term health benefits must outweigh financial concerns, argues Bert Brunekreef.
Volkswagen not alone in failing emissions tests
Despite increasingly strict emission standards, the air we breathe is still not clean. VW is not the sole culprit. EURACTIV's partner Tagesspiegel reports
German government decries diesel car emissions
Germany has been in the EU's bad books for a while now over its high urban nitrogen dioxide levels. In the midst of the Volkswagen scandal, Berlin puts the blame squarely on new diesel-powered cars emissions. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Nine out of ten new diesel cars exceed EU pollution limits, report finds
Nine out of 10 new diesel cars break new EU pollution limits when tested on roads rather than test tracks, according to a new report.
Air pollution costs France €100 billion per year
The French Senate has called for new efforts to tackle air pollution, arguing it inflates healthcare costs, reduces economic productivity and agricultural yields, and has put Paris in the EU's bad books. EURACTIV France reports.
German highway traffic exceeds EU air pollution threshold
Emissions from car exhausts exceeded EU thresholds for nitrogen oxide at half of Germany’s monitoring stations. While 2014 is among the lowest years for particulates levels, the Federal Environment Agency sees no reason for relief. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Shippers under the gun to meet new air quality standards
SPECIAL REPORT / In the Belgian port of Zeebrugge one spring day, a hulking cargo ship waiting to make its 36-hour run to the Swedish port of Gothenburg sat as a model for European and international efforts to reduce vessel emissions.