The context: European Air Quality situation, with a focus on Northwest Europe

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2 The context: European Air Quality situation, with a focus on Northwest Europe Alberto González Ortiz European Environment Agency (EEA) Cleaner Air, Better Health Amsterdam, 11 June 2015

3 Outline 1. The European Environment Agency: a) Mission b) Air pollution activities 2. AQ situation in Europe: a) Air quality in Europe b) SOER AQ situation in NW Europe: a) Emissions b) Concentrations c) Impacts 4. Conclusions

4 1.a) EEA: Mission What? The provision of timely, targeted, relevant and reliable information to policy-making agents and the public. Why? To help achieve significant and measurable improvements in Europe s environment and to support sustainable development.

5 1.b) EEA: Air pollution EEA MAIN ACTIVITIES: Collect, process and disseminate air pollution (emissions and air quality) data. Inform on trends of air pollution and progress towards achievement of targets. Support the development, implementation and evaluation of EU policies. Together with the European Topic Centre on Air pollution and Climate change Mitigation (ETC/ACM) European Air pollution data centre:

6 1.b) EEA: Air pollution EEA ACTIVITIES: Monitoring Measurements Data collection: Emission data (NEC Directive, CLRTAP) Air quality data (AQ Directives, new e-reporting) Indicators: Driving forces; Pressures; States; Impacts; Responses Country fact sheets Assessments: Reports Knowledge Measures Communication International cooperation

7 2.a) Air quality in Europe report MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Emissions of the main pollutants have decreased in the last decade. Success stories (SO 2, Pb, CO). Concentrations are not decreasing in the same way as emissions far from achieving levels with no risk. Main concern to PM, ozone, BaP, NO 2. Effects on health (top environmental risk of premature death), environment (ecosystems, vegetation), climate.

8 2.a) Air quality in Europe report MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Emissions of the main pollutants have decreased in the last decade. Success stories (SO 2, Pb, CO). Concentrations are not decreasing in the same way as emissions far from achieving levels with no risk. Main concern to PM, ozone, BaP, NO 2. Effects on health (top environmental risk of premature death), environment (ecosystems, vegetation), climate.

9 2.a) Air quality in Europe report MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Emissions of the main pollutants have decreased in the last decade. Success stories (SO 2, Pb, CO). Concentrations are not decreasing in the same way as emissions far from achieving levels with no risk. Main concern to PM, ozone, BaP, NO 2. Effects on health (top environmental risk of premature death), environment (ecosystems, vegetation), climate.

10 2.a) Air quality in Europe report MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Emissions of the main pollutants have decreased in the last decade. Success stories (SO 2, Pb, CO). Concentrations are not decreasing in the same way as emissions far from achieving levels with no risk. Main concern to PM, ozone, BaP, NO 2. Effects on health (top environmental risk of premature death), environment (ecosystems, vegetation), climate.

11 2.b) SOER 2015 report The European Environment - State and Outlook 2015 report Every five years. It will inform environmental policy implementation between 2015 and It will help to achieve the EU s 2050 vision of living well within the limits of the planet.

12 Victor Troyanov, Environment & Me /EEA SOER2015 / European briefings / Air pollution GO TO ONLINE BRIEFING Air pollution SYNTHESIS REPORT GLOBAL MEGATRENDS EUROPEAN BRIEFINGS COUNTRY COMPARISONS COUNTRIES & REGIONS Despite considerable improvements in past decades, air pollution is still responsible for more than premature deaths in Europe each year. It also continues to damage vegetation and ecosystems. Continued improvements in air pollution levels are expected under current legislation, but beyond 2030 only slow progress is expected. Additional measures are needed if Europe is to achieve the long-term objective of air pollution levels that do not lead to unacceptable harm to human health and the environment. Related content Air pollution & its ecosystem impacts Industrial pollution to air, soil and water Air pollution & related envi. health risks Urban systems and grey infrastructure Air pollution

13 3.a) AQ in NW Europe: emissions PM 2.5 Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) EU PM 2.5 emissions and projections Emissions by sector Energy use & supply excl. transport (69%) Road transport (15%) Gg PM Other transport (2%) Industrial processes (9%) 500 Agriculture (3%) Waste (1%) PM2.5 emissions GP 2020 red. commitments MS projections Other (2%) Country fact-sheets

14 3.b) AQ in NW Europe: concentrations

15 3.b) AQ in NW Europe: concentrations Number of zones with exceedances in 2013 (preliminary data) Belgium PM 2.5 PM 10 O 3 NO 2 B(a)P As Cd Ni - 5 (DLV) 6 (LTO) 6 (AOT40c) 1 (ALV) France 1 (TV and LV+MoT) 1 (ALV) 7 (DLV) 30 (TV) 68 (LTO) 74 (AOT40c) 2 (HLV+MoT) 19 (ALV) Netherlands (LTO) 8 (AOT40c) 1 (HLV+MoT) 1 (ALV+MoT) 2 (ALV) United Kingdom (LTO) 8 (AOT40c) 1 (HLV) 31 (ALV) (Work in progress)

16 3.c) AQ in NW Europe: impacts On health Belgium EU reference value Exposure estimate (%) PM 10 day (50 μg/m 3 ) O 3 8-hour (120 μg/m 3 ) NO 2 year (40 μg/m 3 ) Netherlands EU reference value Exposure estimate (%) PM 10 day (50 μg/m 3 ) O 3 8-hour (120 μg/m 3 ) NO 2 year (40 μg/m 3 ) CSI004 France EU reference value Exposure estimate (%) PM 10 day (50 μg/m 3 ) O 3 8-hour (120 μg/m 3 ) NO 2 year (40 μg/m 3 ) United Kingdom EU reference value Exposure estimate (%) PM 10 day (50 μg/m 3 ) O 3 8-hour (120 μg/m 3 ) NO 2 year (40 μg/m 3 )

17 3.c) AQ in NW Europe: impacts On vegetation/crops CSI005

18 4. Conclusions European air policy has made progress in past decades in reducing air pollution. Cleaner air today than two decades ago, but still exceedances. So, still substantial impacts we are far from achieving levels of air quality that do not result in unacceptable risks to humans and the environment: Exposure of urban population. Eutrophication exceedances will be widespread and even acidification will remain in 2030 in NW Europe. Effectiveness of measures implemented but need for a transition: Integrate air, climate and biodiversity policies. Reductions also needed outside Europe. Technological solutions and behavioural change (consumption paradigm).

19 Many thanks for your attention!!