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The EPA has published information on Ireland’s position in
relation to meeting its 2010 obligations under the National
Emissions Ceilings Directive (NEC Directive).
The figures show the trends for four key air pollutants over
the period 1990 to 2010. These pollutants are sulphur dioxide
(SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx),
volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH3)
and they are responsible for long-range transboundary air
pollution such as acidification, eutrophication and ground-level
ozone pollution.
The European Community, through the NEC Directive, limits
emissions of these four pollutants by 2010 and each year thereafter,
through country specific national ceilings. These provisional
figures for 2010 were recently reported to the European Commission
by the EPA. The figures will be finalised in December 2012
- and, thereafter, the European Commission will assess Ireland’s
compliance under the NEC Directive.
This latest information from the EPA shows levels of sulphur
dioxide, volatile organic compounds and ammonia were below
the 2010 emission ceilings. Reductions in these three pollutants
have been achieved through a diverse range of measures including
effective licencing and enforcement by the EPA, stricter regulation
of VOC emissions from vehicles and declining animal numbers
in the agriculture sector.
There has been a significant reduction in nitrogen oxide
(NOx) emissions over the period 1990
to 2010. However, nitrogen oxide (NOx)
emissions continue to pose a challenge with emission levels
7.6 ktonnes above the 2010 limit. Although reductions in NOx
levels from the transport sector have been delivered through
technological improvements, these have not been as substantial
as originally anticipated.
Advances in emission controls have been largely off-set
by large increases in vehicle numbers and fuel use during
a time of significant economic growth over the period 1990
to 2008.
Commenting on the figures Laura Burke, Director General,
EPA said - “The reduction in Ireland’s emissions of these
four transboundary air pollutants is welcome. Ireland has
achieved significant reductions across each of these pollutants
since 1990, delivering environmental and health benefits through
reductions in acidification, eutrophication and ground-level
ozone pollution.
"Emissions of sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds
and ammonia are below the 2010 emission ceilings. However,
in spite of substantial reductions, nitrogen oxide emissions
continue to pose the greatest challenge, with these latest
figures showing that Ireland is exceeding its 2010 limit.
Limiting nitrogen oxide emissions, in particular from the
transport sector, with cost-efficient and feasible measures
in future years will be challenging.”
The agriculture sector accounts for 98 per cent of ammonia
(NH3). NH3 emissions
are 9.8 ktonnes below the 2010 ceiling, which is a positive
outcome in terms of meeting obligations under the NEC Directive.
However, limiting and reducing NH3 emissions
into the future could be problematic, given the strong performance
of the agriculture sector in line with the ambitious targets
of Food Harvest 2020.
Download the NEC report - Click
Here
Notes
Changes to transboundary air pollutant emissions are as follows:
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
NOx emissions decreased by
42% between 1990 and 2010. Between 2009 and 2010, there was
a 13% reduction, mainly caused by reductions in the key sectors
transport and power generation. Despite this reduction, Ireland
is currently exceeding its 2010 NOx
ceiling of 65 kilotonnes by 7.6 kilotonnes.
The road transport sector represents the largest source of
NOx emissions, accounting for 51% of
total NOx emissions in 2010. Stricter
EU standards for emissions from cars and heavy duty vehicles
have delivered significant reductions in emissions from road
transport, in combination with the economic downturn in more
recent years.
However, while the benefits achieved by these more stringent
standards achieved substantial decreases in NOx
emissions, they did not deliver in full the anticipated emission
reductions - particularly in relation to heavy duty trucks.
This failure and the large increase in traffic volumes and
associated fuel use during a time of economic growth largely
offset the emissions reductions.
In the power generation sector, reductions have occurred
as a result of measures such as extensive NOx
emission control technology, supported by the EPA’s licensing
and enforcement regime and fuel-switching from oil to gas
and renewable energy.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Between 1990 and 2010, SO2
emissions decreased by 86%. Between 2009 and 2010, the decrease
was 21%, mainly caused by reductions in power stations which
are the principal source of SO2 emissions
in Ireland.
Ireland’s 2010 national emission ceiling for SO2
is 42 kilotonnes. Emissions in 2009 were already below this
2010 ceiling. These data for 2010 show Ireland is 16 ktonnes
below the 2010 limit.
The reduction in emissions since 1990 has been achieved as
a result of a combination of measures - including switching
fuel in energy-related sectors from high to low sulphur fuels
such as natural gas, the fitting of SO2
abatement technology in power generation plant, the ban on
bituminous coal in urban centres and a voluntary agreement
to reduce the sulphur content of solid fuels which was further
strengthened and given a statutory footing in 2011.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
VOC emissions decreased by 52% between 1990 and 2010.
Between 2009 and 2010 the decrease was 6%, mainly caused by
reductions in the transport sector. The main sources of VOC
emissions in Ireland are solvent use and transport.
Ireland’s 2010 national emission ceiling for VOC is 55 kilotonnes.
Emissions in 2007 were already below the 2010 ceiling. These
data for 2010 show Ireland to be 10.1 ktonnes below the 2010
limit.
VOC emission levels in the solvent use sector have remained
relatively constant since 1990, even though drivers such as
population, paint use, dry cleaning and industrial activity
have increased. This reflects a reduction in the VOC content
of products such as paints and the impact of EPA’s licencing
and enforcement regime on relevant activities. VOC emissions
from transport have reduced due to improved EU standards in
cars and the more widespread use of vehicle exhaust catalytic
converters.
Ammonia (NH3)
NH3 is produced following application
of, primarily, animal manures and nitrogenous fertilisers
to grasslands. NH3 emissions decreased
by 0.4% between 1990 and 2010. Between 2009 and 2010, the
decrease was 2%, mainly caused by reductions in animal manures
as a result of declining animal numbers, which is off-set
to some extent by an increase in the application of nitrogenous
fertiliser.
Ireland’s national emission ceiling for NH3
is 116 kilotonnes to be achieved by 2010. Emissions in 2000
were already below the 2010 ceiling. These data for 2010 show
Ireland to be 9.8 ktonnes below the 2010 limit.
However, given the strong performance of the agriculture sector
in line with the ambitious targets of Food Harvest 2020, limiting
NH3 emissions to below the 2010 ceiling
in the future could become an issue.
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