The Central German cities of Leipzig, Dresden and Halle are fighting against air pollution for years. Thereon, Dresden and Halle are sued by the German association for environmental protection (Deutschen Umwelthilfe – DUH) regarding the excess of NOx limit values. The reproaches were revealed in July 2017, during the wave of actions that followed the trial’s verdict against the city of Stuttgart. First, both cities were requested to introduce measures enabling to reach the emission limits by January 2018. In a second phase, Halle was sued at the end of the year, as it was clear that no significant measure would be taken. Whereas in May 2017 Dresden and Leipzig announced they would not consider the option of introducing a blue environmental zone, they are now forced to take consequent measures. Then Dresden wants to expand the cycling network and the public transport system. This is despite the fact that a recent study showed that citizens of Dresden are already the most satisfied with their public transportations across Germany. On the other hand, Halle, wants to cooperate with the State Government of Saxony-Anhalt. It first relies on a study of the air quality and the completion of a bypass road, before taking further measures.

In the whole of Saxony, the limit values for nitrogen dioxide in 2017 were barely respected. Therefore, the DUH did not file a lawsuit against Leipzig and Dresden. In Saxony-Anhalt, however, the situation looks different, which is why the DUH announced to sue Halle at the end of 2017. 

Currently, four places are measuring the air quality. The annual medium values decreased significantly over the past years. In 2014, the lowest values were measured since 1995 and the limits were respected for the first time. Since then, values are relatively stable but above the norms again.
Dresden: During the last years, exceeds of nitrogen oxides values globally decreased. However, the limits are exceeded significantly in the city centre which was followed by a warning of DUH.
Halle: Last year, the daily medium values exceeded the European norms regularly. However, the city points out that the limit values for nitrogen oxides emissions can be exceeded 35 times a year. In Halle this has not been the case yet.