Air pollution - Outlook 2020 (Denmark)

The main sources of emissions of the acidifying gases sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) are the industrial, energy, and transport sectors, while emissions of ammonia (NH₃) are almost entirely from the agricultural sector. In 2008, emissions of SO₂ from the industry and energy sectors were 28 % and 34 % respectively. The transport sector accounts for 47 % of the total emissions of NO_x and the agricultural sector for almost 98 % of emission of NH₃. The reduction in emissions of acidifying gases, measured as acidifying potential, was 29 % from 2000 to 2008.

Emissions of heavy metals and selected organic compounds are to be restricted to the 1990-emissions level according to the Danish obligations through international agreements (UNECE-LRTAP). Only emissions of PAHs do not meet the emissions reduction obligation.

Table 1. Overview of emissions of air pollutants in 2008, emissions ceilings and projections in 2010, 2015 and 2020. Projections of NO_x emissions are based on the use of ’old‘ emission factors for heavy road transport as used originally and an expected reduction of 5000 tons NO_x due to a newly introduced NO_x tax. Projections of emissions reduction of NMVOC are based on projections of fuel composition from 2008. Projections of ammonia are excluding emissions from crops. Source: National Environmental Research Institute. http://www.dmu.dk/Luft/Emissioner/Air+pollutants/

Table 2. Emissions of air pollutants of heavy metals, dioxin and PAHs. Source: National Environmental Research Institute. http://www.dmu.dk/Luft/Emissioner/Air+pollutants/