In a press release issued on Tuesday 25 June, the European Environment Agency (EEA) announced that the main emissions of atmospheric pollutants “needing to be reduced and monitored” had fallen “in most Member States” by 2022.
Member States are required to reduce their emissions under the ‘NECD Directive’ on National Emission reduction Commitments. Five main pollutants are covered: nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and fine particles.
Sixteen Member States had complied with their national commitments for the period 2020-2029 by 2022, while eleven Member States have deviated from the rule “for at least one of the five main atmospheric pollutants”, according to the EEA.
These results do not prevent ammonia from “remaining a problem”, since reducing emissions of this pollutant is still, to this day, “the greatest challenge”. Nine Member States have yet to meet their commitments on this pollutant for the period 2020-2029. The EEA assessment states that the agricultural sector is “responsible for 93% of total ammonia emissions”.
Despite the progress announced, the EEA notes that the reduction in emissions of certain pollutants is already levelling off, whereas it should continue to fall. Only sulphur dioxide emissions are currently in line with the 2030 targets. The EEA points out that in 2022, “emissions were 81% lower than in 2005”.
It should be noted that the EEA’s assessment is based “solely” on the data provided by the Member States and “does not constitute a compliance check carried out by the European Commission”. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)