Britain violates EU pollution law, court rules

British judges ruled on the 1 May 2013 that the British government has breached EU air quality rules and asked the European Court of Justice for guidance on what action needs to be taken, delaying immediate improvements to air pollution.

Britain's highest appellate court, the Supreme Court, said the government was in breach of an EU directive which put limits on nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a colourless, odourless gas produced by burning fuels which can damage people's breathing.

London has the highest levels of NO2 of any European capital. Around 29,000 early deaths a year in Britain are attributed to air pollution, according to a body which advises the British government.