Air pollution - Drivers and pressures (Hungary)

In recent years, a significant reduction in industrial pollutant emissions has been achieved in Hungary. Emissions of SO₂ have declined during the last decades as a result of implementing emission control legislation and of structural changes in the energy sector. However, the levels of some air pollutants still exceed short‑term limit values several times annually, mainly due to the increasing volume of road transport.

Emissions of NO_x and VOCs have fluctuated slightly around the same level since 2001 and have just recently decreased, making it a challenge to meet the respective emission ceilings. Consequently the annual average limit NO₂ value has been exceeded in some areas and in major cities of the country. Particulate matter and ground-level ozone are of particular concern. PM₁₀ daily and annual average limit values have also been exceeded in several parts of the country.

As emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from the household and transport sectors have become key issues, further efforts are needed to improve energy efficiency in these sectors. The growing motor vehicle fleet, as well as the boom in road freight transport which followed EU accession threatens to offset progress achieved through improvements in vehicle technology and fuel quality.