Air Pollution and Biodiversity:

Transcription

1 Air Pollution and Biodiversity: Priorities for future action Mark Sutton CEH Edinburgh IUAPPA / UNAF Paris 29 September 2011

2 Progress in air European policies In most cases existing technical capability for NH 3 has yet to be implemented A long-term perspective encouraging gradual change may be needed Emissions relative to % 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% NH 3 SO 2 NO x PM2.5 VOC Baseline EU Baseline UNECE Max Feasible Reduction EU Max Feasible Reduction UNECE Amman, IIASA Ammonia the largest contributor to acidification & eutrophication by 2020

3 Overview of existing policy instruments: UNECE EU atmospheric N & biodiversity Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution: Ceilings + Technical annexes on NO x and NH 3. National Emissions Ceilings Directive (Ceilings only) Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control / Industrial Emissions Directive (but only pig & poultry) Air Quality Directives & Limit values (NO x, not NH 3 ) Making the link to nature, agriculture and planning policies: Focus on the Habitats Directive Considering the barriers to change

4 Global N production & dispersion Human Nr Production: (Tg yr -1 ) 1860: : : sources: Haber Bosch: 121 Biol N fixn: 45 NO x emission: 25 Atmospheric Nr Nr deposition (mg (mg N m -2-2 year -1-1 )) Galloway et al. Science (15 May 2008)

5 Options for reducing nitrogen impacts through the Gothenburg Protocol Setting national emission ceilings of NO x and NH 3 Input from the Task Force on Reactive Nitrogen: Options for revision of GP Annex IX on NH 3 Placing agricultural NH 3 in context of the wider N cycle Updating NH 3 Guidance Document & abatement costs (many options now <1-2 euro/kg N abated) Options on reporting National Nitrogen Budgets

6 Total emissions in options A, B and C per sector Results of CIAM-GAINS TFRN,CIAM, IIASA

7 Costs per kg NH 3 -N of options A, B and C per sector Results of GAINS Note that cost in cattle sector need further study! TFRN,CIAM, IIASA

8 5 priorities for commitment on ammonia in GP revision If you committed to only 5 things what would they be? (1=highest priority) 1. Low emission techniques for land spreading of cattle/pig/poultry manures and mineral fertilizers 2. Animal feeding strategies, inc phase feeding 3. Covers on new slurry stores 4. Farm N balance on demonstration farms 5. Low emission new pig & poultry housing

9 Slurry spreading methods are key to reducing ammonia emissions The Splash Plate Spreader represents 1950s technology

10 Today, there are a wide range of low ammonia emission techniques available Trailing Shoe Trailing Hose Slot Injector Drag-hose injector The car and the exhaust pipe

11 What can we expect of Gothenburg Protocol Revision? Prime focus on transboundary effects what about the local effects? Barriers to change in the agricultural sector?

12 Linking regional & local scales Local exeedance is so massive that there is no way that realistic national emission strategies will avoid all NH 3 impacts European exceedances of the critical load for nitrogen Ecosystem protection National targets and policy

13 Importance of the Habitats Directive A series of designated sites across Europe (Natura 2000): Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (Ecosystems) Special Protection Areas (SPAs) (Birds) EU envisage a high level of protection. Precautionary principle applied

14 Article 6 (3) Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives. In the light of the conclusions of the assessment of the implications for the site and subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, the competent national authorities shall agree to the plan or project only after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site concerned and, if appropriate, after having obtained the opinion of the general public.

15 Detrimental effect of N deposition on Natura 2000 sites Moninea Bog

16 Lichen: Cladonia uncialis

17 Lichen: Cladonia portentosa Site 17

18 Bog moss Sphagnum imbricatum

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20 Nitrogen saturated near a poultry farm. Mark Sutton

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22 Nitrogen & Natura 2000 Workshop Key Messages The Habitats Directive is not adequately protecting Natura 2000 sites from atmospheric nitrogen pollution (60% of sites under threat across EU); The strongest effects from NH 3, plus impacts from NO x & wet deposition Agricultural plans & projects often not assessed for compliance with the Habitats Directive European policies not fully assessed in relation to the the Habitats Directive

23 Policy options emerging from Nitrogen & Natura 2000 Workshop Gothenburg & NECD: national ceilings & mandatory measures (Annex IX, plus translating Annex IX into EU+MS legislation) High-level target: A long-term goal to ensure that 95% of Natura 2000 designated sites do not exceed critical loads or levels for reactive nitrogen compounds by 2030 Air Quality limit value for NH 3 over Natura 2000 sites. Base on critical level (1-3 μg m -3 ) + requiring local management plans Strategic Environmental Assessment (Directive & Protocol): Testing of other legislation, e.g. animal-welfare legislation raising NH 3 emissions. Common Agriculture Policy: Cross-compliance with Habitats Directive, plus options for NH 3 measures in Rural Development Programmes.

24 Example of woodland buffer zones Choice of trees, canopy structure and planting area to maximize direct benefits Consideration of other benefits Screening effect round farms Biodiversity in farm woodlands Increase in core area of existing reserves Buffering for aquatic pollutants Scenario of tree planting around two SACs Dragosits et al. Environ. Sci. & Policy 2006

25 Policy cycle and barriers to change Issue Concern Nitrogen threatens the Planet Threats and Challenge for Action Science activity Public interest Policy Process (e.g. UN Conventions) Policy interest Underpinning data Processes, Trends, Number Press Interest Key messages A basis to link between disciplines (air & biodiversity) As basis to engage with resistant stakeholders

26 Communicating Nitrogen Integrating disciplines to see the bigger picture Developing public engagement

27 ENA Launch April 2011 Edinburgh International Conference Nitrogen & Global Change ENA Authorship 200 experts, 21 countries & 89 organizations Scientifically independent process

28 Nitrogen in the News International TV & Press Coverage ENA summary in Nature ENA 4-minute video on Youtube The Sun, Scotsman, Guardian, La Monde, VOK, Nature 14 April 2011

29 Nitrogen Damage Costs & Sources EU Damage cost: billion / year Nature 14 April 2011

30 ENA, 2011

31 Summary of N flows in Europe ENA, 2011

32 Seven key actions for better nitrogen management Agriculture 1. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop production 2. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in animal production 3. Increasing the fertilizer N equivalence value of animal manure Transport and Industry 4. Low-emission The combustion Way Forward: and energy-efficient systems Waste water treatment 5. Recycling More efficient nitrogen N (and use phosphorus) saves farmers from money waste water systems Societal reducing consumption nitrogen patterns air pollution, 6. Energy while and transport being needed saving to meet Parties 7. commitments Lowering the human for climate consumption and water of animal pollution protein ENA, 2011 and Nature 14 April 2011

33 Nitrogen and You The simple messages: Carbon & Climate: Use less Fuel Nitrogen & Environment: Eat less Meat NinE-ESF: The Barsac Declaration: Environmental Sustainability and the Demitarian Diet and dairy

34 4-minute video of the ENA for public stakeholders