Transport emissions of air pollutants (TERM 003) - Assessment published Feb 2013

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Created : Nov 23, 2012 Published : Feb 04, 2013 Last modified : Feb 12, 2013 03:06 PM

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Jan 12, 2011 - Transport emissions of air pollutants (TERM 003) - Assessment published Jan 2011
Sep 14, 2010 - Transport emissions of air pollutants (TERM 003) - Assessment published Sep 2010
Apr 21, 2009 - Transport emissions of air pollutants (TERM 003) - Assessment published Apr 2009
Sep 28, 2006 - Transport emissions of air pollutants (CO, NH3, NOx, NMVOC, PM10, SOx) by mode
Nov 28, 2005 - Transport emissions of air pollutants (CO, NH3, NOx, NMVOC, PM10, SOx) by mode
Sep 28, 2004 - Transport emissions of air pollutants (CO, NH3, NOx, NMVOC, PM10, SOx) by mode
Sep 28, 2003 - Transport emissions of air pollutants (CO, NH3, NOx, NMVOC, PM10, SOx) by mode
Jun 01, 2001 - Transport emissions of air pollutants
Jun 01, 2001 - Transport emissions of air pollutants TERM 2001

Generic metadata

Topics:

Transport (Primary topic)

Air pollution

Tags:

DPSIR: Pressure
Typology: Descriptive indicator (Type A – What is happening to the environment and to humans?)

Indicator codes

TERM 003

Dynamic

Temporal coverage:

1990-2010

Geographical coverage:

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Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom

Contents

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Indicator definition

The indicator is based on the emission trend assessment of CO, NO_x, NMVOCs, SO_x 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

Between 2009 and 2010, all air pollutant emissions from transport, except NOx, decreased (ranging between 2.5 % and 10 %). During the period 1990 to 2010, the main pollutants that contribute to acidification and particulate and ozone formation have shown a decreasing trend in emissions in the EEA‑32 (with fluctuations in some years). The largest percentage decreases over this period have been for CO (76 %) and non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) (75 %). However, increases in shipping activity since 1990 have offset some of the reductions elsewhere, in particular for SOx, but also for NOx and PM. International shipping currently contributes to nearly 87 % of all transport SOx emissions. The rise of road freight transport explaines most of the increase in NOx in 2010.

Trend in emissions of air pollutants from transport in EEA-32

Note: Transport emissions of PM2.5, CO, SOx, NMVOC, NOx in EEA member countries.

Data source:

National emissions reported to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP Convention) provided by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Environment and Human Settlements Division, UNECE)

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The contribution of the transport sector to total emissions of the main air pollutants in 2009 (EEA-32)

Note: The graphs report the percentage contribution of transport and not transport sector to total emission of air pollutants in EEA32. Transport sector includes road transport, shipping, aviation and railways.

Data source:

National emissions reported to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP Convention) provided by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Environment and Human Settlements Division, UNECE)

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Key assessment

Transport is one of the main sources of air pollution in Europe, particularly in cities and urban areas such as towns, airports and sea ports. Key air pollutants emitted from combustion engines in all modes of transport include NOx, PM, CO, and VOCs. However, non-exhaust emissions of PM are also released due to the mechanical wear of brakes, tyres and road surfaces, and are not currently regulated. Emissions of VOCs also come from gasoline evaporation during refuelling and from vehicle and fuel storage tanks.

The Figure shows the trend in emissions of most pollutants from transport in EEA‑32 member countries since 1990. Emissions of different pollutants have been falling but at different rates. The decline has occurred in spite of a growth in transport activities reflected by various indicators such as energy consumption and passenger and freight transport volumes since 1990. The downward trend for most pollutants has followed the progressive introduction of tighter Euro emission standards on new road vehicles supplemented by improvements in fuel quality driven by EU Fuel Quality Directives. Tighter regulations in emissions from new diesel engines for railway locomotives and the sulphur content of marine fuels have also contributed to this downward trend in emissions in more recent years. The trends in emissions of key pollutants NOx and PM2.5 have been tempered by the increased market penetration of diesel vehicles since 1990. Diesel vehicles generally emit more of these pollutants per kilometre than their gasoline equivalents, particularly black carbon which has impacts on health and the climate but also NO2.

Data sources

National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive Inventory
provided by Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV)
National emissions reported to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP Convention)
provided by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Environment and Human Settlements Division, UNECE)
Air Emission data set for Indicators
provided by European Environment Agency (EEA)

Justification for indicator selection

This indicator analyses the transport emissions of CO, NO_x, NMVOCs, PM_10,PM_2.5and SO_x from 1990 to 2010. The pollutants can be grouped into acidifying substances, particulates and ozone precursors. Transport contributes significantly to emissions of NO_x, NMVOC, PM and CO. NO_x 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 (NO_x), sulphur oxides (SO_x) 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 (NO_x, SO_x 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 (NO_x), 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 NO_x, SO_x, 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 SO_x, NO_x, air borne particulate matter (PM_10,PM_2.5), 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 SO_x, NO_x, airborne PM (PM₁₀, PM_2.5), 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.

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

European Environment Agency (EEA)

EEA Management Plan

2012 2.9.2 (note: EEA internal system)

Dates

First draft created:

Nov 23, 2012 08:48 AM

Publish date:

Feb 04, 2013 02:55 PM

Last modified:

Feb 12, 2013 03:06 PM

Permalinks

Permalink to this version: 4b04d0264e244c2abf6224a845fcaf8a
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