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The annual EU-27 emission inventory reported under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Convention confirms that emissions of most air pollutants continue to decline.
SOx is an important air pollutant that acidifies ecosystems and forms harmful fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. Since the early 1990s a combination of measures has helped reduce emissions, including introducing low sulphur fuels and fitting pollution control equipment in European industrial facilities. Lower emissions from public power plants in Bulgaria, Poland and Spain contributed to the 20 % annual emission reduction in 2008. Spain, for example, reduced its SOx emissions by using less coal to generate electricity and instead relying on natural gas and renewables such as wind, photovoltaics and biomass.
CO, NMVOCs and NOx are main contributors to the formation of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant that can trigger respiratory problems, contribute to premature mortality and also damage plants, reducing agricultural crop yields. EU-27 emissions of these ozone precursors fell in 2008 in a number of Member States, including France, Spain and UK, particularly from public power plants. Emissions from road transport also fell significantly in these Member States, partly reflecting reduced freight transport on roads in the second half of 2008 due to economic recession.
EU-27 emission trends for the main air pollutants, particulate matter and heavy metals (European Union air pollutant emission inventory report, p.7)
The Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) addresses some of the major environmental problems caused by air pollution in the member countries of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The Convention has 51 Parties and aims to limit and, as far as possible, gradually reduce and prevent air pollution including long-range transboundary air pollution. The EEA assists the EU by preparing the inventory to be reported under the LRTAP Convention each year.
The EEA publishes the data from the inventory report in the air pollutant emissions data viewer, a searchable web-based interface that simplifies access and analysis. The data viewer shows emission trends and graphics for the main sectors and allows comparison of emissions from different countries and activities.
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/emissions-of-sulphur-oxides-and or scan the QR code.
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