Energy-related emissions of ozone precursors

Changes (%) in emissions of ozone precursors by source category, 1990-2006, EU-27 (weighted by tropospheric ozone formation potential)

Note: The graph above shows the emissions of ozone precursors (methane CH4; carbon monoxide CO; non-methane volatile organic compounds NMVOCs; and nitrogen oxides NOx) each weighted by a factor prior to aggregation to represent their respective tropospheric ozone formation potential (TOFP)

Data source:

EEA-ETC/ACC 2007

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Sectoral shares of tropospheric ozone precursors (energy and non-energy components) in total emissions, EU-27.

Note: The emissions of ozone precursors (NOx, NMVOC, CO and CH4) are each weighted by an ozone formation factor prior to aggregation to represent their respective ozone forming potentials

Data source:

EEA-ETC/ACC 2007.

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Overall change in emissions of ozone precursors by country, 1990-2006

Note: The graph shows the emissions of ozone precursors (NOx, NMVOC, CO and CH4) each weighted by an ozone formation factor prior to aggregation to represent their respective ozone forming potentials

Data source:

Data provenance info is missing.

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Emissions of ozone precursors have decreased significantly in most EEA member countries, with the top reductions measured in Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Germany (Figure 3). Emissions of ozone precursors increased in Bulgaria and Turkey between 1990 and 2006. In 2006, the average European emitted about 139 Kg of tropospheric ozone precursors. These emissions originated mainly from combustion-related activities, and varied widely from country to country.
In the EEA32, emissions decreased by 43% between 1990 and 2006 (-46% in the EU), the largest reductions in emissions occurred in transport (-47%). The transport sector is the dominant source of ozone precursors and contributed 41% of total ozone precursor emissions in 2006 (figure 2). Decreases in emissions from the transport sector have occurred largely due to the continued introduction of catalytic converters in passenger cars.
EU-27 member states have 2010 NECD emission ceilings for NMVOC and NOx emissions. For over half of the EU-27 emissions of NMVOC in 2006 are significantly higher than the 2010 targets of the NECD for EU member states, and substantial emission reductions are therefore needed to reach the target.
There were significant reductions in emissions from energy industries (energy production / supply) as well - of around -43 % on average for the EU. The decreases in emissions from this sector (primarily NOx) can be attributed to a range of measures, including the increased use of abatement technologies (SCR, EGR,3-way catalytic converters), fuel-switching from coal to gas prompted by the liberalisation of the energy market, the requirements of the IPPC and Large Combustion Plant Directives and improved technology efficiencies.
NOx was the most significant pollutant (weighted by tropospheric ozone formation potential) contributing 59 % of the total energy-related emissions of all ozone precursors in 2006. Since 1990, it also accounted for over 40% of the reduction in emissions. N2O emissions may be low when catalytic converters are not present or are operating improperly. Emission controls on vehicles, and particularly catalysts in road vehicles, can increase the rate of N2O generation and thus of greenhouse gases.