Data and maps

Emission trends of sulphur oxides (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 NECD and 2020 Gothenburg target paths and emission ceilings are shown.
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EEA31 emissions of SO2: Located in Data and maps › Indicators
Emission trends of sulphur dioxide SO2: Located in Data and maps › Indicators
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.
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EEA-32 Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions (APE 001) - Assessment published Feb 2010: EEA-32 emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) have decreased by 69% between 1990 and 2007. In 2007, the most significant source of SO 2 emissions was the energy industries sector (69%), followed by emissions occurring from 'Other (Non Energy)' (20%) and industrial energy use (12%). 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 Community directives relating to the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels. Seventeen of the EU-27 Member States have already reduced their national SO 2 emissions below the level of the emission ceilings set in the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD), while a number of others are close to meeting their ceilings. However, a small number of Member States still need to make significant further reductions in order to meet their respective ceilings under the NECD. 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. SO 2 emissions also contribute to formation of particulate matter in the atmosphere, an important air pollutant in terms of its adverse impact on human health.
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Change in emissions of sulphur oxides compared with the 2010 NECD and Gothenburg protocol targets (EEA member countries): The reported change in sulphur oxide emissions (SOx) for each country, 1990-2010, in comparison with the 2010 NECD and Gothenburg protocol targets.
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Contribution to total change in sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions for each sector between 1990 and 2010 (EEA member countries): The contribution made by each sector to the total change in sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions between 1990 and 2010.
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Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions (APE 001) - Assessment published Dec 2011: EEA-32 emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) have decreased by 76% between 1990 and 2009. In 2009, the most significant sectoral source of SO X emissions was Energy production and distribution (70%), followed by emissions occurring from Energy use in industry (13%) 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. All of the EU-27 Member States have already reduced their national SO X emissions below the level of the 2010 emission ceilings set in the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). Emissions in 2009 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. SO X emissions also contribute as a secondary particulate pollutant 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
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 2010 emission levels and the 2020 Gothenburg 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 2020.
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Sector share of sulphur oxides emissions - 2010 (EEA member countries): The contribution made by different sectors to emissions of sulphur dioxide
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