Air pollution - Outlook 2020 (United Kingdom)

SOER 2010 Common environmental theme (Deprecated)

This page was archived on 21 Mar 2015 with reason: A new version has been published

SOER Common environmental theme from United Kingdom

Topic: Air pollution

Published: 26 Nov 2010 Modified: 11 May 2020

The table below demonstrates change over time in UK emissions of atmospheric pollutants covered by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD), including predictions for 2010. The UK is currently predicted to exceed the 2010 NO_X ceiling, with compliance expected by 2012.

Emissions of air pollutants under the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD), UK, 1970 – 2008, kilotonnes.

	1970	1990	2008	Estimated uncertainty (2008)	% change 1970 to 2008	% change 1990 to 2008	NECD target
Sulphur dioxide	6,365	3,715	512	+/- 4%	-92%	-86%	585 (on course to meet target)
Nitrogen oxides	2,983	2,749	1,403	+/- 10%	-53%	-49%	1,167 (target unlikely to be met)
Non-methane volatile organic compounds	1,817	2,569	942	-9 to + 10 %	-48%	-63%	1,200 (on course to meet target)
Ammonia	-	366	282	+/- 20%	-	-23%	297 (on course to meet target)

Further emissions reductions are expected for all pollutants, with the exception of NH₃ for which little decrease in emissions is expected beyond 2010 based on ‘business as usual’ projections.

The Critical Load Exceedance for acidification is predicted to decrease to 40 % of habitat areas by 2020 in the absence of further measures. The Critical Load Exceedance for eutrophication due to nutrient nitrogen is expected to decrease to 48 % of habitat areas by 2020.