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Annual changes in concentrations of PM10, O3 and NO2 in the period 2001–2010
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Statistically significant trends (level of significance 0.1) are calculated by applying the Mann-Kendall test. The trend slopes are indicated with coloured dots when statistically significant. Red dots indicate increasing concentrations. The applied method is described in de Leeuw, 2012
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ImaginAIR Photo Story Competition Rules
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ImaginAIR – photo story competition
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Percentage of population exposed to NO2 annual concentrations in urban areas, 2001-2010 (EU-27)
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The annual mean limit value is 40 µg NO2/m3 and to be met by 2010. Over the years 2001-2010 the total population, for which exposure estimates are made, increased from 92 to 116 million people due to an increasing number of monitoring stations reporting air quality data under the Exchange of Information Decision. Year-to-year variations in exposure classes are partly caused by the changes in spatial coverage. Only urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations have been included in the calculations. Data for Cyprus and Malta, are not included due to missing availability of operational urban and sub-urban background monitoring stations in the Urban Audit cities.
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Rural concentration map of the ozone indicator AOT40 for forest in 2009
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The gradient of the AOT40f values is similar to those of the AOT40c for crops: relative low in northern Europe, and the highest values observed in the countries around the Mediterranean.
The critical level is met in north Scandinavia, Ireland, part of the UK and in the coastal regions of the Netherlands (total forested area with concentrations below the critical level is 22 % of a total area of 1.44 million km2). In south Europe levels may be as high as 4-5 times above the critical level.
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National emissions reported to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP Convention)
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Data on emissions of air pollutants submitted to the LRTAP Convention and copied to EEA and ETC/ACC
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Exceedance of air quality limit values in urban areas (CSI 004) - Assessment published May 2012
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Particulate Matter (PM 10 )
In the period 1997-2009, 18-49 % of the urban population in EU-27 was potentially exposed to ambient air concentrations of particulate matter (PM 10 ) in excess of the EU limit value set for the protection of human health (50 microgram/m 3 daily mean not to be exceeded more than 35 days a calendar year and to be met by 2005). There was no discernible trend over the period (Figure 1).
Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 )
In the period 1997-2009, 6-41 % of the urban population in EU-27 was potentially exposed to ambient air nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) concentrations above the EU limit value set for the protection of human health (40 microgram NO 2 /m 3 annual mean and to be met by 2010). There was a slight downwards trend over the period (Figure 1).
Ozone (O 3 )
In the period 1997-2009, 13-61 % of the urban population in EU-27 was potentially exposed to ambient ozone concentrations exceeding the EU target value set for the protection of human health (120 microgram O 3 /m 3 daily maximum 8-hourly average, not to be exceeded more than 25 times a calendar year by 2010, averaged over three years and to be achieved where possible by 2010). The 61 % of the urban population exposed to ambient ozone concentrations over the EU target value was recorded in 2003. There was no discernible trend over the period (Figure 1).
Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 )
In the period 1997-2009, the fraction of the urban population in EU-27 that is potentially exposed to ambient air concentrations of sulphur dioxide in excess of the EU limit value set for the protection of human health (125 microgram SO 2 /m 3 daily mean not to be exceeded more than three days a year and to be met by 2005), decreased to less than 1 %, and as such the EU limit value is close to being met everywhere in the urban background (Figure 1).
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Exceedance of air quality limit values in urban areas
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Exposure of ecosystems to acidification, eutrophication and ozone (CSI 005) - Assessment published May 2012
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Eutrophication The magnitude of the risk of
ecosystem eutrophication and its geographical coverage has diminished
only slightly over the years. The predictions for 2010 and 2020 indicate
that the risk is still widespread over Europe. This is in conflict with
the EU's long-term objective of not exceeding critical loads of
airborne acidifying and eutrophying substances in sensitive ecosystem
areas (National Emission Ceilings Directive, 6th Environmental Action
Programme, Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution).
Acidification The situation has considerably
improved and it is predicted to improve further. The interim
environmental objective for 2010 (National Emission Ceilings Directive)
will most likely not be met completely. However, the European ecosystem
areas where the critical load will be exceeded is predicted to have
declined by more than 80 % in 2010 with 1990 as a base year. By 2020, it
is expected that the risk of ecosystem acidification will only be an
issue at some hot spots, in particular at the border area between the
Netherlands and Germany.
Ozone (O 3 ) Most
vegetation and agricultural crops are exposed to ozone levels exceeding the
long-term objective given in the EU Air Quality Directive. A significant
fraction is also exposed to levels above the 2010 target value defined in the
Directive. Concentrations in 2008 were on the average higher than in 2007. The
effect-related accumulated concentrations, addressing exposure of crops to
ozone over several summer months, shows large year-to-year variations, there is
a non-significance tendency to increase.
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Exposure of ecosystems to acidification, eutrophication and ozone
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Energy-related emissions of acidifying substances (ENER 006) - Assessment published Apr 2012
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Energy-related emissions account for only 2% of NH 3 emissions but 96% of NO x and 94% of SO 2 emissions in the EEA-32 in 2009. They fell by 17%, 13% and 21% respectively between 2005 and 2009 in EEA-32 countries. Since 1990, these energy related emissions declined by 40% and 78% for NO x and SO 2 respectively but increased by 88% for NH 3 in the EU-27 and declined by 37% (NO x ) and 74% (SO 2 ) and increased by 92% (NH 3 ) in EEA-32 member countries. However as noted earlier the percentage of energy related NH 3 emissions are insignificant compare do the non-energy related NH 3 emissions. Most of the total reduction in pollutants contributing to acid deposition since 1990 is accounted for by lower SO 2 emissions from the energy-producing sector and lower NO x emissions from the transport sector. The EU-27 is broadly on track to meet its overall targets set under the NEC Directive (NECD) [1] , however further reductions are needed to improve remaining local and transboundary air pollution issues, and for ensuring that individual countries meet emissions ceiling targets under the NECD and the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol.
[1] See Pollutant Specific Factsheet NOx
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Energy-related emissions of acidifying substances
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Energy-related emissions of ozone precursors (ENER 005) - Assessment published Apr 2012
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Energy-related emissions accounted for 87% of all Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions, 43% of all Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOC) emissions, 96% of all Nitrogen Oxide (NO x ) emissions and 4.7% of all Methane (CH 4 ) emissions from the EEA-32 in 2009. Since 1990(2005), these emissions have declined by 58(13)%, 63(13)%, 37(13)% and 22(+8)% in EEA member countries. The largest reduction in emissions occurred in the road transport sector, largely as a result of the continued introduction of catalytic converters in new vehicles during this period and more stringent regulations on emissions.
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Energy-related emissions of ozone precursors
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Uptake of cleaner and alternative fuels (19.2) (SCP 028) - Assessment DRAFT created Apr 2012
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The share of biofuels in the transport fuel mix increased rapidly since 2000 but still represents only 3.75% of the total. This is far from the EU’s current target 10% target for renewable energy in transport by 2020. Moreover, growth in total fuel use by cars since 2000 at 5% has more than offset gains made through biofuel uptake. The average sulphur content of transport fuels, and in particular diesel, has decreased significantly since 2000.
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Uptake of cleaner and alternative fuels (19.2)