The National Emission Ceilings Directive 2001/81/EC
This directive, which came into force on 27 November 2001, seeks to reduce emissions of those pollutants that cause acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone in order to protect the environment and human health. Its long-term objective is to ensure that pollutant levels remain below their critical loads and critical levels these being the amounts of pollutants below which, significant adverse effects do not occur. The following interim environmental objectives have been set for the year 2010 against a 1990 base:
- Acidification: areas where critical loads are exceeded to be reduced by at least 50%;
- Ground-level ozone (health): load above critical level for human health
to be reduced
by two-thirds and load in any area not to exceed a specified absolute limit; and - Ground-level ozone (vegetation): load above critical level for vegetation to be reduced by one-third and load in any area not to exceed a specified absolute limit.
Towards those ends, the common position sets out annual emission limits for a number of pollutants. The UK's annual limits (based on calendar years) for the year 2010 are as follows:
- Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). 585 kt
- Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). 1167 kt
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). 1200 kt; and
- Ammonia (NH3). 297 kt.
The directive requires Member States to prepare national plans within 12 months of the directive coming into force to ensure that there is a progressive reduction of emissions to the levels specified for 2010. Emission inventories and forecasts are to be prepared and reported annually.
The commission is to review the directive in 2004, 2008 and 2012 to assess its progress against the objectives and recommend any amendments that may be necessary. This review is to include an assessment of whether the ceilings could be lowered and the need to reduce emissions from transport, in particular the maritime and aviation emissions excluded from the directive. The directive should have been transposed into national legislation by 27 November 2002.
By Spring 2010 it had become apparent that the UK and a number of other EU member states expect to fail their NOx ceilings for 2010 but generally the other pollutant ceilings will be met. In early Summer 2010 the EC had not started formal discussions to update the ceilings in the Directive to 2020. It would appear the EC has no plans to start this process until 2012.
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