Europe’s air is getting cleaner, UNECE report shows
Geneva, 15 December 2006 -- The meeting of the Parties (the Executive
Body) of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution this
week heard about the continued success of many Parties in cutting their
emissions of air pollutants. The 51 Parties to the Convention span the
entire UNECE region from North America to Europe and Central Asia, a large
area that has had many air pollution problems.
A report using information provided by UNECE countries identifies clear
downward trends in releases of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in Europe. The total
release across Europe was estimated to be less than 15 million tons in
2004 – a
decrease of 65% from the 1990 figure. This means that the SO2 target for
the year 2010 set for Europe by the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol has already
been reached. Even so, there are big differences in the achievements of
individual countries. While some have surpassed their target, about half
still need to reduce their emissions. When this is done, the widespread “acid
rain” effects
caused by sulphur will be limited to very sensitive soils and areas where
damage has been severe.
For emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), the situation is not so good, though
total European emissions fell to less than 18 million tons by 2004 – 30%
less than the 1990 levels. A further cut of 15% is needed to reach the Protocol
target. Forty per cent of the Parties to the Convention have now reached their
individual 2010 targets set by the Protocol. NOx contributes to acidification,
to excess nitrogen effects (eutrophication) on natural systems and, in combination
with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to ground-level ozone production.
Since VOC emissions have also fallen by 38%, high ozone episodes are less
frequent, though weather conditions are a major factor in determining the
levels each year.
Eutrophication (a condition that changes vegetation and harms animal life
in water bodies) remains a concern for many countries, especially since
ammonia emissions (mainly from agriculture) contribute to eutrophication-related
problems. While 65% of the Convention’s Parties have met their ammonia
reduction targets for 2010, and while overall Europe has, with a 25% fall
in emissions, almost achieved the target, the targets themselves were not
ambitious, and cutting emissions of ammonia has proved difficult.
The report presented to the Executive Body also provides information on
how individual countries are working to control their emissions (both through
national strategies and through action using national legislation). The
steps taken by some can provide useful examples to others.
Such results are very important. The Convention has, for more than 25
years, developed international cooperation across the UNECE region to address
the problems of air pollution. It has based its decision-making on sound
scientific and technical activities and on data reported by Parties. The
report shows what can be achieved and what more needs to be done – and
how it might be done. The Convention is currently carrying out its first
review of the Gothenburg Protocol to determine whether its provisions are
effective, and whether further action is necessary and possible. The report’s
overview of results will provide, together with other information being
gathered by the scientific and technical groups under the Convention, the
necessary background information for future decision-making.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Keith BULL
UNECE Environment, Housing and Land Management Division
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0) 22 917 23 54
Fax: +41 (0) 22 917 06 21
E-mail: [email protected] - [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/
Ref: ECE/ENV/06/P10