Indicator Assessment
15 Aug 2017
Anthropogenic emissions of the main air pollutants decreased significantly in most EEA member countries between 1990 and 2015:
emissions of nitrogen oxides decreased by 52 % (56 % in the EU-28);
emissions of sulphur oxides decreased by 83 % (89 % in the EU-28);
emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds decreased by 59 % (61 % in the EU-28);
emissions of ammonia decreased by 18 % (23 % in the EU-28);
emissions of fine particulate matter decreased by 28 % (26 % in the EU-28) from 2000.
The EU-28 met its continuing obligation to maintain emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ammonia and non-methane volatile organic compounds below legally binding targets, as specified by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD). Some EU Member States reported emissions that were above their NECD emission ceilings: six countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg) exceeded emission ceilings for nitrogen oxides , six (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Spain and Sweden) exceeded emission ceilings for ammonia and five (Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Luxembourg) exceeded emission ceilings for non-methane volatile organic compounds. There are no emission ceilings for primary fine particulate matter .
Emission ceilings were set for 2010 for two additional EEA member countries (Norway and Switzerland) in the Gothenburg Protocol under the 1979 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Norway reported emissions above their ammonia ceilings .
Emission reduction commitments for 2020 have been set under the revised Gothenburg Protocol . The EU-28 as a whole is on track to meet reduction commitments .
Indicator Assessment
15 Aug 2017
The emissions of a number of compounds categorised as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) decreased between 1990 and 2015 in the EEA-33, e.g. hexachlorobenzene (HCB) by 97 %, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by 77 %, dioxins and furans by 85 % and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 89 %.
Although the majority of countries report that POP emissions fell during this period, some report that emissions increased.
In 2015, the most significant sources of emissions for these POPs included the ‘Commercial, institutional and households’ (23 % of HCB, 41 % of dioxins and furans, 56 % of PAHs and 18 % of PCBs) and ‘Industrial processes and product use’ (22 % of HCB and 51 % of PCBs) sectors.
Data about the EU emission trading system (ETS). The EU ETS data viewer provides aggregated data on emissions and allowances, by country, sector and year. The data mainly comes from the EU Transaction Log (EUTL). Additional information on auctioning and scope corrections is included.
Data on emissions of air pollutants submitted to the LRTAP Convention and copied to EEA
Information on urban population exposed to air pollutants concentration above the EU air quality objectives by country for year 2014. Variations from country to country are not only related to the different pollutant concentrations but also to the number of available data series (monitoring stations and/or selected cities), that will influence the total number of monitored population the uneven distribution of traffic and background stations in the different countries
This map reflects the status of the Biogeographical Regions in Europe from 2016 onwards. Changes compared to previous versions are explained in the source dataset.
Spatial distribution of landtake in Europe over the periods 2000-2006 and 2006-2012
GIS Map Application
05 May 2017
Noise pollution is a major environmental concern in Europe. Explore NOISE maps to see environmental noise from roads, railways, airports, industry and in cities where you live.
GIS Map Application
24 Mar 2017
Indicators to characterise green infrastructure at the city level and in the peri-urban area
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