Reducing air pollution: a public health emergency
This is the second time the government is sued for his inefficité to reduce the air pollution that is the cause of 40,000-50,000 premature deaths each year. A report of two royal colleges of medicine has estimated the cost of damage to £ 20 billion a year.
“The new government plan to fight against air pollution is inadequate and will not meet the legal limits for the years to come,” said Alan Andrews, ClientEarth, a law firm. “The more they are allowed to procrastinate on the delay and the more people will suffer from serious illness or early death.”
Instead of addressing the polluting companies, ClientEarth has opted for a more comprehensive approach in its action leading directly to the government of the United Kingdom in the hope of obtaining more comprehensive solutions and applying to both in England but also in Scotland, Country of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Pollutant emissions in the air causing an upsurge in respiratory illnesses
ClientEarth also wanted to take the case to the Scottish Government to Parliament in Edinburgh. Indeed it enjoys considerable autonomy in many areas and ClientEarth has seen non-compliance action plans and recommendations from the Scottish Government. Furthermore it does not effectively use atmospheric pollution tests indicating a certain negligence.
Indeed Glasgow has nearly half a million residents and pollutant emissions in the air seem to be the cause of an upsurge of respiratory diseases and various irritations (eyes, skin ..).
“We take the government of the United Kingdom to the Court for its failure to protect people across the country of toxic air pollution. The air quality in Scottish cities is a major public health issue as much as the rest of the UK and Scottish government must be aware that he could face legal action if they fail to to act”.
