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Emissions of ozone precursors (CSI 002) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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Emissions of all ground-level ozone precursor
pollutants have decreased across the EEA-32 region between 1990 and 2008; nitrogen
oxides (NO X ) by 34%, non-methane volatile organic compounds
(NMVOCs) by 45%, carbon monoxide (CO) by 56% and methane (CH 4 )
by 26%.
This decrease has been achieved mainly as a
result of the introduction of catalytic converters for vehicles. These
changes have significantly reduced emissions of NO X and CO from
the road transport sector, the main source of ozone precursor emissions.
The EU-27 is still some way from meeting its 2010
target to reduce emissions of NO X , one of the two ozone
precursors (NO X and NMVOC) for which emission limits exist
under the EU's NEC Directive (NECD). Whilst total NMVOC emissions in the
EU-27 were below the NECD limit in 2008, a number of individual Member
States anticipate missing their ceilings for one or either of these two
pollutants.
Of the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the
UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland),
all three countries reported NMVOC emissions in 2008 that were lower than their
respective 2010 ceilings. However both Liechtenstein
and Norway
reported NO x emissions in 2008 that were substantially higher than
their respective 2010 ceilings.
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Emissions of ozone precursors
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Emissions of acidifying substances (CSI 001) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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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.
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Emissions of acidifying substances
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Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) emissions (APE 004) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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EEA-32 emissions of non-methane
volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) have decreased by 45% since 1990. In 2008,
the most significant sources of NMVOC emissions were the Solvent and product
use' sector (36%) (comprising activities such as paint application,
dry-cleaning and other use of solvents), followed by the road transport sector
(17%). The decline in emissions since
1990 has primarily been due to reductions achieved in the road transport sector
due to the introduction of vehicle catalytic converters and carbon canisters on
petrol cars, for evaporative emission control driven by tighter vehicle
emission standards, combined with limits on the maximum volatility of petrol
that can be sold in EU Member States, as set in fuel quality directives. The reductions in NMVOC emissions have been
enhanced by the switching from petrol to diesel cars in some EU countries, and changes
in the Solvents and product use' sector (a result of the introduction of
legislative measures limiting for example the use and emissions of solvents). The EU-27 Member States have, in
general, made good progress towards reducing emissions in line with their
obligations under the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). Nineteen
Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland,
Greece, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
the Netherlands, Poland, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden,
and the United Kingdom)
have already reduced their national NMVOC emissions below the level of the
emission ceilings set in the NECD. However, three Member States (Denmark,
Germany and Spain) reported 2008 emissions significantly above their respective
emission ceilings and therefore require significant reductions to have been
made in 2009 and 2010 in order to comply with the NECD. Emissions in 2008 for the three
non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg
protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) were all well below their
respective ceilings. Environmental context: Non-methane volatile
organic compounds (NMVOCs) are a collection of organic compounds that differ
widely in their chemical composition but display similar behaviour in the atmosphere.
NMVOCs are emitted into the atmosphere from a large number of sources including
combustion activities, solvent use and production processes. NMVOCs contribute
to the formation of ground level (tropospheric) ozone. In addition, certain
NMVOC species such as benzene and 1,3 butadiene are hazardous to human health.
Quantifying the emissions of total NMVOCs provides an indicator of the
emissions of the most hazardous NMVOCs.
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Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) emissions
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Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions (APE 002) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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EEA-32 emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO X ) have decreased by 34% between 1990 and 2008. In 2008, the most significant sources of NO X emissions were the road transport sector (39%), combustion processes from within the energy industries sector (21%), the commercial, institutional and households sector (15%) and from industrial energy use (14%). The largest reduction of emissions since 1990 has occurred in the road transport sector. These reductions have been achieved despite the general increase in activity within this sector since the early 1990s and have primarily been achieved as a result of fitting three-way catalysts to petrol fuelled vehicles. In the electricity/energy production sector reductions have also occurred, in these instances as a result of measures such as the introduction of combustion modification technologies (such as use of low NO X burners), implementation of flue-gas abatement techniques (e.g. NO X scrubbers and selective (SCR) and non-selective (SNCR) catalytic reduction techniques) and fuel-switching from coal to gas. The National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) specifies NO X emission ceilings for Member States that must be met by 2010. In general, the newer EU Member States have made substantially better progress towards meeting their respective NO X ceilings than the older Member States of the EU-15. Ten of the twelve post-2004 Member States have already reduced emissions beyond what is required under the NECD, and one (Slovenia) reported NO X emissions just 5% above the NECD target in 2008. In contrast, only one EU-15 Member State (Finland) had 2008 emissions within its respective national ceiling. Many Member States though require a significant reduction of NO X emissions to have been made in 2009 and 2010 if they are to meet their obligations under the NECD. Of the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) only for Switzerland were emissions in 2008 below the level of the respective 2010 ceilings Environmental context: NO X contributes to acid deposition and eutrophication. 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. Eutrophication can lead to severe reductions in water quality with subsequent impacts including decreased biodiversity, changes in species composition and dominance, and toxicity effects. It is NO 2 that is associated with adverse affects on human health, as at high concentrations it can cause inflammation of the airways. NO 2 also contributes to the formation of secondary particulate aerosols and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere - both are important air pollutants due to their adverse impacts on human health.
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Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions
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Persistent organic pollutant (POP) emissions (APE 006) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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EEA-32
emissions of a number of compounds categorised as persistent organic
pollutants (POPs), have
decreased between 1990 and 2008 - hexachlorobenzene (HCB, by -89%), hexachlorocyclohexane
(HCH, by -86%), polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs, by -76%), dioxins & furans (by 81%) and poly-aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs, by -60%). While the majority of individual
countries report POP emissions have fallen during this period, a number do
report that increased emissions have occurred. In
2008, the most significant sources of
emissions for these POPs included the 'Commercial, institutional and households'
(53% of PAHs, 30% of dioxins & furans, 23% of PCBs) and 'Industrial
Processes' (99% of HCB, 74% of HCH, 37% of PCBs) sectors. Important
emission sources of PAH, include residential combustion processes (open fires,
coal and wood burning for heating purposes etc), industrial metal production
processes, and the road transport sector. Emissions from these sources have all
declined since 1990 as a result of decreased residential use of coal,
improvements in abatement technologies for metal refining and smelting, and
stricter regulations on emissions from the road transport sector. Environmental context: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are
chemical substances that persist in the environment, have potential to
bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects
to human health and the environment. This group of substances includes
unintentional by-products of industrial processes (such as PAHs, dioxins and
furans) pesticides (such as DDT), and industrial chemicals (such as
polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs). All share the property of being progressively
accumulated higher up the food chain, such that chronic exposure of lower
organisms to much lower concentrations can expose predatory organisms,
including humans and wildlife, to potentially harmful concentrations. In humans
they are also of concern for human health because of their toxicity, their
potential to cause cancer and their ability to cause harmful effects at low
concentrations. Their relative toxic/carcinogenic potencies are compound
specific. POPs have also been shown to possess a number of toxicological
properties. The major concern is often centred on their possible role in
carcinogenic, immunological and reproductive effects but more recently concern
has also been expressed over their possible harmful effects on human
development.
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Persistent organic pollutant (POP) emissions
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Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions (APE 001) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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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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Sulphur dioxide SO2 emissions
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Ammonia (NH3) emissions (APE 003) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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EEA-32 emissions of NH 3 have declined by 24% between the years 1990 and 2008. Agriculture was responsible for 94% of NH 3 emissions in 2008.
The reduction in emissions within the agricultural sector is primarily due to a reduction in livestock numbers (especially cattle) since 1990, changes in the handling and management of organic manures and from the decreased use of nitrogenous fertilisers. The reductions achieved in the agricultural sector have been marginally offset by the increased emissions which have occurred during this period in sectors such as transport and to a lesser extent the energy industry and other (non-energy) sectors.
In general, Member States have made excellent progress in reducing emissions below the level of their respective emission ceilings set in the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). Twenty-two of the EU-27 Member States have already achieved their 2010 ceilings in 2008. Only Finland still needs to make significant further reductions in order to meet their respective ceilings under the NECD. In the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), emissions of ammonia in 2008 were higher than the ceiling in two countries (Liechtenstein and Switzerland), whilst emissions in Norway were below the ceiling limit by 1%.
Environmental context: NH 3 contributes to acid deposition and eutrophication. 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. Eutrophication can lead to severe reductions in water quality with subsequent impacts including decreased biodiversity, changes in species composition and dominance, and toxicity effects. NH 3 also contributes to the formation of secondary particulate aerosols, an important air pollutant due to its adverse impacts on human health.
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Ammonia (NH3) emissions
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Heavy metal (HM) emissions (APE 005) - Assessment published Oct 2010
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Across the EEA-32 countries, emissions of lead have
decreased by 90%, mercury by 61% and lead by cadmium by 58% between 1990
and 2008. For each substance, the most
significant sources in 2008 are from energy-related sources associated with
fuel combustion, particularly from public power and heat generating facilities
and in industrial facilities. Much progress has been
made since the early 1990s in reducing point source emissions of cadmium and
lead (e.g. emissions from industrial facilities). This has been achieved
through improvements in for example abatement technologies for wastewater
treatment, incinerators and in metal refining and smelting industries, and in
some countries by the closure of older industrial facilities as a consequence
of economic re-structuring. In the case of mercury, the observed decrease in emissions may be largely attributed
to improved controls on mercury cells used in industrial processes (e.g. in the
chlor-alkali process) including the replacement of old mercury cells by
diaphragm or membrane cells, and the general decline of coal use across Europe
as a result of fuel switching. The promotion of unleaded petrol within the EU and in other EEA member
countries through a combination of fiscal and regulatory measures has been a
particular success story. EU Member States have for example completely phased
out the use of leaded petrol, a goal that was regulated by Directive 98/70/EC. From being the largest source of lead in 1990 when it contributed around
75% of total emissions, emissions from the road transport sector decreased
since then by nearly 99%. Nevertheless, the road transport sector still remains
an important source of lead, contributing around 8% of total lead emission in
the EEA-32 region. However since 2002 little progress has been made in reducing
emissions further; total emissions of lead have remained largely constant. Environmental context:
Heavy metals (such as cadmium, lead and mercury) are recognised as being toxic
to biota. All have the quality of being progressively accumulated higher up the
food chain, such that chronic exposure of lower organisms to much lower
concentrations can expose predatory organisms, including humans, to potentially
harmful concentrations. In humans they are also of direct concern because of
their toxicity, their potential to cause cancer and their potential ability to
cause harmful effects at low concentrations. The relative toxic/carcinogenic
potencies of heavy metals are compound specific. Specifically, exposure to
heavy metals has been linked with developmental retardation, various cancers
and kidney damage. Metals are persistent throughout the environment, and
cadmium, lead and mercury are among those heavy metals that are already a focus
of international and EU action. These substances tend not just to be confined
to a given geographical region, and thus are not always open to effective local
control. For example, in the case of cadmium, much is found in fine particles which
do not readily dry deposit, rather having long residence times in the
atmosphere and hence are subject to long-range transport processes.
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Heavy metal (HM) emissions
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Change in emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds compared with the 2010 NECD and Gothenburg protocol targets (EEA member countries)
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The reported change in NMVOC emissions for each country, 1990-2008, in comparison with the 2010 NECD and Gothenburg protocol targets.
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Emissions by sector of ammonia - 2008 (EEA member countries)
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The contribution made by different sectors to emissions of ammonia.
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