The European Commission is referring Greece to the Court of Justice for failing to adopt noise action plans for all agglomerations and major roads, as required by a relative directive.
The directive in question identifies noise pollution levels and triggers the necessary action as a response, such as appropriate urban planning and noise protection measures.
Member-states are required to adopt maps showing noise exposure within major agglomerations, along main railway lines, main roads and around major airports. The Commission said these “strategic noise maps” serve as a basis for defining measures to help reduce noise pollution, and are key for informing the public about the levels of noise they are exposed to, so that they can verify themselves whether their authorities take sufficient action.
Countries were required to submit their noise maps and action plans by 2012 and 2013 respectively. The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Greece in December 2017, and an additional letter of formal notice in October 2020. Despite some progress, several grievances remained. The Commission said that efforts by the Greek authorities have, to date, been “insufficient”.
It is estimated that noise causes 11,000 premature deaths and contributes to 41,000 new cases of ischemic heart disease (caused by a narrowing of heart arteries) per year across Europe.