Reducing Air Pollution: National Emission Ceilings For Air Pollutants [EU Legislation In Progress]

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) published on 24 March 2015 a report on air pollution, whose levels, despite significant progress in recent decades, still have adverse impacts on the environment and on health in the European Union.

The directive proposed in 2013, which would replace the National Emission Ceilings Directive, sets binding national reduction objectives for six air pollutants (SO2, NOx, NMVOCs, NH3, PM2.5 and CH4) to be met by 2020 and 2030. It would also implement the Gothenburg Protocol as amended in 2012. The European Commission estimated that implementation costs would range from 2.2 to 3.3 billion euros per year. Stakeholders have been divided over the level of ambition of the proposed ceilings.

Both EU advisory committees have issued opinions and some national parliaments have made comments on the proposal. The Council held an orientation debate in June 2014. The ENVI Committee is expected to consider the draft report in April 2015.

Written by Didier Bourguignon.