Air pollution: in France, the Council of State condemns the State to pay 10 million euros
The entrance to the Council of State, in Paris on October 18, 2018 AFP / Archives
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The Council of State, the highest French court on Wednesday condemned the French state to pay 10 million euros to environmental associations for repeated failures by various governments in the fight against air pollution on French territory .
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Never had such a sum been imposed on the State by administrative justice.
A historic decision, hailed by NGOs and which stems from a long process that began in 2015.
At the time, the
Friends of the Earth association
seized the Council of State to warn about the high concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the air, which exceeded the threshold set by European directives.
First injunction of the administrative judges two years later, who order the State to do what is necessary, before the ultimatum.
The ultimatum arrives two years later: July 2020, the court gives the government six months to act, otherwise the state will have to pay 10 million euros per semester of delay.
Despite an improvement in air quality in several areas, eight French regions today remain above the threshold in terms of air pollution, which explains the decision rendered on Wednesday.
Regarding the 10 million euros requested from the State, they will be distributed among several national public institutions working against this pollution, a record sum that can be renewed in six months, if the situation does not improve.
► To read also: Air pollution: the "fault" of the State recognized by French justice
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