The High Court of Justice (TSJCV) has accepted an appeal filed by Ecologistas en Acción challenging the implementation of Alicante’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
The environmental group argues that mandatory restrictions are not being enforced and that the projected reduction of 164,000 tons of CO2 emissions will not be achieved.
This Friday, the court’s First Section of the Contentious Chamber issued a decree confirming the acceptance of the appeal. As a result, the Alicante City Council must submit the full documentation on the LEZ’s implementation for judicial review.
Legal Challenge and Environmental Concerns
While the court’s acceptance of the appeal is only a procedural step, it allows further evaluation of whether the city’s regulations align with national environmental policies. The conservationists seek to overturn the municipal ordinance—approved by the ruling Popular Party (PP) with Vox’s support—and push for stricter measures that genuinely reduce urban pollution.
According to the group, the city has failed to enforce key restrictions based on the environmental classifications set by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT). They argue that under the current plan, the expected CO2 reduction—equivalent to cutting one-third of all road traffic emissions—will not materialize.
Three Traffic Rings, But No New Restrictions
As previously reported, the current LEZ regulations introduce no additional mobility limits beyond those already in place. The only restricted area remains Alicante’s Old Town, where vehicle access has been limited to residents and authorized drivers since 2010. Violations here are subject to penalties.
Two additional rings, surrounding the Traditional Centre and the Gran Vía axis, remain unrestricted. Instead, urban redevelopment projects—such as narrowing roadways to slow traffic—aim to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Other measures include the introduction of hybrid and electric buses into the municipal transport fleet.
The ordinance does allow for temporary restrictions in the event of severe air pollution, with real-time monitoring stations deployed across the city. However, critics argue that these measures are reactive rather than proactive, failing to ensure a consistent reduction in emissions.
Now, with the appeal moving forward, the court will determine whether Alicante’s LEZ regulations truly align with Spain’s environmental goals or require a more stringent approach.
