Traffic pollution motors in Spain

SPANISH environmental chiefs have confirmed that the country will break its EU-enforced traffic pollution limits.

Officials revealed that recent population increases have thwarted its hopes to comply with legislation imposed by Brussels in 2001.

“We are breaking all of Brussels’ limits, except for sulphur dioxide.”

They also blamed a higher than predicted rise in the demand for energy over recent years.

Currently, Spain is only adhering to sulphur dioxide quotas, but is exceeding limits laid down for both nitrogen and ammonia.

Secretary of State for Climate Change, Teresa Ribera, admitted: “We are breaking all of Brussels’ limits, except for sulphur dioxide.”

In 2008, Spain emitted 1,236 million tonnes of nitrogen dioxide – 46 per cent more than its 2010 target.