UNUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Press Release

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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