Air pollution - Outlook 2020 (Latvia)

Projected emissions in 2010

According to information submitted by Latvia on the National Emissions Ceilings Directive[1] in 2009, emission projections for 2010 are as follows:

The implementation of all current legislation on SO₂, NOx, NH₃ and VOC emissions, including measures taken within the framework of climate change policy, will enable Latvia to meet the 2010 emission ceilings for these pollutants.

Projected emissions in 2020

If effective reduction measures are implemented, it is assumed that by 2020 SO₂ emissions will not exceed the European Commission’s proposed ceilings for 2020 as there are no economic sectors in Latvia producing significant SO₂ emissions.

Nevertheless, current studies show that it will be difficult to meet the proposed NOx and VOC emission ceilings for 2020, even if additional measures are implemented and prove to be effective.

The projection for NH₃ emissions is that they will decrease but they could still exceed the emission ceilings for 2020 proposed by the European Commission. The level of NH₃ emissions will largely depend on national environmental policy and the application of legislation relating to agriculture. However, the implementation of efficient NH₃ emission reduction measures may be expensive.

It is assumed that emissions of PM_2.5 will also exceed defined emission ceilings in 2020, which is why it will be necessary to put in place additional measures to reduce the emissions of PM_2.5.