NEC Directive status report 2011: Reporting by the Member States under Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants

The EU NEC Directive sets pollutant-specific and legally binding emission ceilings (limits) for four main air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH3). These pollutants harm both human health and the environment by contributing to the formation of ozone and particulate matter and leading to acidification and eutrophication.

This report, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in June 2012, confirmed an initial assessment published by the Agency earlier in the year, which showed that 12 EU Member States exceeded limits under the National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive in 2010.

EEA: Highlights, 28.6.12: Nitrogen oxide emissions still a major problem in Europe http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/nitrogen-oxide-emissions-still-a

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