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Air pollution — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Emissions of air pollutants derive from almost all economic and societal activities. They result in clear risks to human health and ecosystems. In Europe, policies and actions at all levels have greatly reduced anthropogenic emissions and exposure but some air pollutants still harm human health. Similarly, as emissions of acidifying pollutants have reduced, the situation for Europe's rivers and lakes has improved but atmospheric nitrogen oversupply still threatens biodiversity in sensitive terrestrial and water ecosystems. The movement of atmospheric pollution between continents attracts increasing political attention. Greater international cooperation, also focusing on links between climate and air pollution policies, is required more than ever to address air pollution.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Air pollution - Outlook 2020 (Finland): Air Pollution - Outlook
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Finland
Air pollution - State and impacts (Finland): Air pollution - State and Impacts
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Finland
Emissions of acidifying substances (CSI 001) - Assessment published Oct 2010: Emissions of acidifying pollutants (nitrogen oxides (NO X ), sulphur oxides (SO 2 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ) have decreased significantly in most of the individual EEA member countries between 1990 and 2008. Emissions of SO 2 have decreased by 74 %, NO X by 34 % and NH 3 emissions by 24 % since 1990. The EU-27 is on track to meet its overall target to reduce emissions of SO 2 and NH 3 as specified by the EU's NEC Directive (NECD). However a large number of individual Member States, and the EU as a whole, anticipate missing the 2010 emission ceilings set for NO X in the NECD, Of the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), both Liechtenstein and Norway also reported NO X emissions in 2008 that were substantially higher than their respective 2010 ceilings.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Emissions of acidifying substances
Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions (APE 001) - Assessment published Oct 2010: EEA-32 emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2) have decreased by 74% between 1990 and 2008. In 2008, the most significant source of SO2 emissions was the 'Energy production and distribution' sector (69%), followed by emissions occurring from 'Energy use in industry' (14%) and in the 'Commercial, institutional and households' (9%) sector. The reduction in emissions since 1990 has been achieved as a result of a combination of measures, including fuel-switching in energy-related sectors away from high sulphur-containing solid and liquid fuels to low sulphur fuels such as natural gas, the fitting of flue gas desulphurisation abatement technology in industrial facilities and the impact of European Union directives relating to the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels. Twenty-three of the EU-27 Member States have already reduced their national SO2 emissions below the level of the 2010 emission ceilings set in the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). The remaining Member States were close to meeting their ceilings under the NECD, except for Malta where emissions in 2008 were significantly higher than their NECD ceiling. Significant reductions will thus have been needed in 2009 and 2010 to ensure compliance. Emissions in 2008 for the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) were also below the level of the respective 2010 ceilings. Environmental context: Sulphur dioxide is emitted when fuels containing sulphur are combusted. It is a pollutant which contributes to acid deposition which in turn can lead to potential changes occurring in soil and water quality. The subsequent impacts of acid deposition can be significant, including adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems in rivers and lakes and damage to forests, crops and other vegetation. SO2 emissions also contribute to formation of particulate matter in the atmosphere, an important air pollutant in terms of its adverse impact on human health.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) distance-to-target for EEA member countries: The distance-to-target indicator shows how current emissions compare to a linear emission reduction 'target-path' between 1990 emission levels and the 2010 emission ceiling for each country. Negative percentage values indicate the current emissions in a country are below the linear target path; positive values show that current emission lie above a linear target path to 2010.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Change in emissions of sulphur dioxide compared with the 2010 NECD and Gothenburg protocol targets (EEA member countries): The reported change in sulphur dioxide emissions (SO2) for each country, 1990-2008, in comparison with the 2010 NECD and Gothenburg protocol targets.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Emissions by sector of sulphur dioxide - 2008 (EEA member countries): The contribution made by different sectors to emissions of sulphur dioxide
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Emission trends of sulphur dioxide (EEA member countries, EU-27 Member States): This chart shows past emission trends of sulphur dioxide in the EEA-32 and EU-27 group of countries. In addition - for the EU-27 - the 2010 emission ceiling and aggregated projections reported by Member States are shown.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Contribution to total change in sulphur dioxide emissions for each sector (EEA member countries): The contribution made by each sector to the total change in sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions between 1990 and 2008.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs