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You are here: Home / Data and maps / Indicators / Transport emissions of air pollutants / Transport emissions of air pollutants (TERM 003) - Assessment published Jan 2011

Transport emissions of air pollutants (TERM 003) - Assessment published Jan 2011

Created : Dec 02, 2010 Published : Jan 12, 2011 Last modified : Nov 23, 2012 08:48 AM
Topics: , ,

Generic metadata

Topics:

Transport Transport (Primary topic)

Air pollution Air pollution

Tags:
TERM | transport | TERM003 | air
DPSIR: Pressure
Typology: Descriptive indicator (Type A – What is happening to the environment and to humans?)
Indicator codes
  • TERM 003
Dynamic
Temporal coverage:
1995-2008
 
Contents
 
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Indicator definition

The indicator is based on the emission trend assessment of CO, NOx, NMVOCs, SOx and primary particulates. 

Units

Emissions are expressed as percentage over the 1990 levels.


Key policy question: Are emissions of acidifying substances, particulates and ozone precursors from transport decreasing?

Key messages

With the exception of NH3, transport related emissions of all main contributors to acidification and particulate and ozone formation (CO, CH4, NH3, NOx, NMVOCs, SOx and primary particulates (PM10 and PM2.5)) decreased in the EEA-32 between 1990 and 2008. The maximum of transport related NH3 emissions in the EEA-32 was reached in 2000. NH3 contributes to both acidification and particulate formation.

Transport emissions of acidifying substances in EEA member countries

Transport emissions of acidifying substances in EEA member countries

Note: Transport emissions of acidifying substances (NOx, SOx, NH3) in EEA member countries. The transport emissions data include all of road transport and other transport/mobile sources, less the memo items, which include international aviation (LTO (Landing and Take Off) and cruise) and international marine (international sea traffic- bunkers).

Data source:
Downloads and more info

Transport emissions of primary and secondary particulates in EEA member countries

Transport emissions of primary and secondary particulates in EEA member countries

Note: Transport emissions of emissions of primary and secondary particulates (NH3, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, SOx) in EEA member countries. The transport emissions data include all of road transport and other transport/mobile sources, less the memo items, which include international aviation (LTO (Landing and Take Off) and cruise) and international marine (international sea traffic- bunkers).

Data source:
Downloads and more info

Transport emissions of ozone precursors in EEA member countries

Transport emissions of ozone precursors in EEA member countries

Note: Transport emissions of ozone precursors (CH4, CO, NMVOC, NOx) in EEA member countries. The transport emissions data include all of road transport and other transport/mobile sources, less the memo items, which include international aviation (LTO (Landing and Take Off) and cruise) and international marine (international sea traffic- bunkers).

Data source:
Downloads and more info

Key assessment

Acidifying substances

In the EEA-32 transport emissions of SOx and NOx were reduced by 68 and 32 % respectively between 1990 and 2008. The introduction of both catalytic converters and reduced sulphur in fuels has contributed substantially to this reduction, offsetting the pressure from increased road traffic in the same period. For the EEA-32 NH3 emissions from transport contributed only 2 % to total NH3 emissions in 2008. However, transport related NH3 emissions increased by 330 % in the EEA-32 between 1990 and. The NH3 emissions from road transport, have been rising as a result of the increasing use of three-way catalytic converters in the vehicle fleet (this is due to an unwanted reaction involving hydrogen which reduces NO to NH3). However, emissions are projected to fall in the future as the second generation of catalysts (which emit lower levels of NH3 than the first generation catalysts) penetrate the vehicle fleet.
The EU-27 contributed 89, 87 and 96 % to transport related NOx, SOx and NH3 emissions of the EEA-32.

Ozone precursors

Within the group of the ozone precursors (CH4, NOx, NMVOC and CO) transport emissions of all pollutants decreased (64, 32, 72 and 71 % respectively) in the EEA-32 between 1990 and 2008. Reductions have occurred mainly because of increasing prevalence of catalytic converters for road vehicles and as a result of tightening of EU regulations on new vehicle emissions limits.
The EU-27 contributed 87, 89, 82 and 89 % to transport related CH4,CO, NMVOC and NOx emissions of the EEA-32.

Particulate matter

The secondary inorganic particulates (NOx, SOx and NH3) precursors are the same as the acidifying substances. Their trends are described above. In the EEA-32 transport emissions of PM10 and PM2.5 were reduced by 21 and 31 % respectively between 1990 and 2008. Particulate filters contributed to the reduction of primary particulates from transport.
The EU-27 contributed 97 and 98 % to transport related PM10 and PM2.5 emissions of the EEA-32.

Data sources

Justification for indicator selection

This indicator analyses the transport emissions of CO,  NOx, NMVOCs, PM10, PM2.5 and SOx from 1990 to 2010. The pollutants can be grouped into acidifying substances, particulates and ozone precursors. Transport contributes significantly to emissions of NOx, NMVOC, PM and CO. NOx contributes to acidification, formation of ground level ozone and particulate formation.

Acidifying substances: Acidification of soils and waters is caused by emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and ammonia (NH3) into the atmosphere, and their subsequent chemical reactions and deposition on ecosystems and materials. Deposition of acidifying substances causes damages to ecosystems, buildings and materials (corrosion).

Particulate Formation: Airborne particulate matter (PM) has adverse effects on human health and can be responsible and/or contribute to a number of respiratory problems. In this assessment, ‘particulate formation’ refers to primary emissions of PM10, PM 2.5 and emissions of precursors (NOx, SOx and NH3) leading to the secondary physico-chemical production of inorganic particulate matter in the atmosphere (secondary PM). A large fraction of the urban population is exposed to levels of fine particulate matter in excess of air quality limit values set for the protection of human health.

Ozone precursors: Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4) contribute to the formation of ground-level (tropospheric) ozone which has adverse effects on human health and ecosystems.

 

Scientific references:

  • No rationale references available

Policy context and targets

Context description

No specific emission reduction target or objective exists for transport-related emissions of acidifying substances, ozone precursors or particulates. However, emission ceiling targets for total NOx, SOx, NMVOC and NH3 emissions are specified in both the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) and the Gothenburg protocol under the United Nations Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP Convention) (UNECE 1999). Following the Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (2008/50/EC), a number of limit values (e.g. hourly limit values) have been set for the atmospheric concentrations of main pollutants, including SOx, NOx, air borne particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), lead, CO, benzene and ozone. Limits have been set at levels that should prevent or reduce harmful effects on health and ecosystems. Although aiming at the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions the EU climate and energy package will also influence the emissions of air pollutants from the transport sector. In some countries national standards also apply.

Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey are not members of the European Union and hence have no emission ceilings set under the NECD. Norway and Switzerland have ratified the UNECE LRTAP Gothenburg Protocol, requiring them to reduce their emissions to the agreed ceiling specified in the protocol by 2010. Liechtenstein has also signed, but has not ratified the protocol.

Directive 2008/50/EC sets LVs for the atmospheric concentrations of main pollutants, including SOx, NOx, airborne PM (PM10, PM2.5), lead, CO, C6H6 and O3.

Targets

Both the NECD and Gothenburg protocol set reductions targets for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds and ammonia for the 32 EEA member countries. There are substantial differences in emission ceilings, and hence emission reduction percentages for different countries, due to the different sensitivities of the affected ecosystems and technical feasibility for reductions.

Related policy documents

  • 1999 Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone
    Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution 1999 Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone.
  • Council Directive 96/61/EC (IPPC)
    Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC). Official Journal L 257.
  • Directive 98/70/EC, quality of petrol and diesel fuels
    Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 1998 relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 93/12/EEC
  • Directive 2001/80/EC, large combustion plants
    Directive 2001/80/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants
  • Directive 2001/81/EC, national emission ceilings
    Directive 2001/81/EC, on nation al emissions ceilings (NECD) for certain atmospheric pollutants. Emission reduction targets for the new EU10 Member States have been specified in the Treaty of Accession to the European Union 2003  [The Treaty of Accession 2003 of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. AA2003/ACT/Annex II/en 2072] in order that they can comply with the NECD.

Methodology

Methodology for indicator calculation

For air pollutants officially reported data to EMEP/LRTAP by  May 2012 has been used.

Methodology for gap filling

Where a complete time series of emissions data has not been reported, data has been gap-filled according to EEA ETC/ACC methodologies. Details of the gap-filling procedure for the air pollutant data set are described in the European Union emission inventory report 1990–2008 under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) (EEA Technical Report No 7/2010).

Methodology references

  • EC emission inventory report European Community emission inventory report 1990-2008 under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) , EEA Technical report No 7/2010.

Uncertainties

Methodology uncertainty

Interpolation/extrapolation procedures are used for gap-filling of the underlying emissions dataset.

Data sets uncertainty

A quantification of uncertainty in the European Union LRTAP emission inventory requires the provision of detailed underpinning information on emission uncertainties from Member States. An evaluation of uncertainty at the EuropeanUnion level (including all EU-27 Member States) has not been performed, because insufficient information has been reported by Member States.

Rationale uncertainty

No uncertainty has been specified

More information about this indicator

See this indicator specification for more details.

Contacts and ownership

EEA Contact Info

Cinzia Pastorello

Ownership

EEA Management Plan

2010 2.9.2 (note: EEA internal system)

Dates

First draft created: 2010/12/02 14:34:24.861000 GMT+1
Publish date: 2011-01-12T01:00:00+02:00
Last modified: 2012/11/23 08:48:50.212300 GMT+1
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