Poland appeals against EU air pollution directive

Poland has lodged an appeal to the EU’s Court of Justice against the bloc's directive to lower air pollution, PM Beata Szydło said. “As for climate policy, our position is clear: we do not agree with the norms that have been introduced. We will be consistent in protesting and looking for new solutions,” Szydło said. Szydło added that the EU climate norms were not only problem to Polish economy but to the other central European countries as well. “We will protect our economy,” she added. She said that according to the treaties, the solidarity within the EU should be respected and interests of every country, not just the strongest ones, should be taken into consideration. In December, the EU approved new rules aimed at drastically reducing air pollution in the region. The National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC) directive requires that the countries commit themselves to decreasing emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and fine particles. The estimated costs for Poland is €500 million, a quarter of what the whole EU is expected to spend.