Von der Norm zur Planung: Die rechtliche Regelung der Luftqualität zwischen Europäischer Union und Italien

The contribution analyzes the legal framework for air quality protection, focusing on the development of European legislation and its implementation in the Italian legal order. Following an examination of the foundations in international law and EU law, Directive (EU) 2024/2881 is considered in depth, which introduces stricter pollutant limit values and establishes for the first time an individual right to compensation for health damages resulting from violations of air quality standards. The study asks whether the system, characterized by fragmentation and wide discretionary scope, is capable of ensuring effective protection. The tension between legal obligations and economic policy considerations impairs the binding nature and effectiveness of the plans. The thesis is that binding instruments and enhanced integration of environmental policy constitute preconditions for achieving the objectives of the Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Strategy.