Climate Politics

Polluted Air in Paris Gets French State in Trouble

France’s top administrative court issues fines of €20 million
Penalties cover second half of 2021 and first half of 2022

Smog over Audinghen, France in  March 2022. — Smog over Audinghen, France in March 2022.
Photographer: Sameer al-Doumy/AFP/Getty Images

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By Gaspard Sebag

October 17, 2022 at 1:03 PM UTC

Updated on

October 17, 2022 at 2:59 PM UTC

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The French state was handed another rebuke for failing to do enough to improve air quality in several parts of the nation.

France’s top administrative court said Monday it levied fines totaling €20 million ($19.5 million) for lapses over the second half of last year and the first half of 2022.