The National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic

Transcription

1 The National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic

2 Drawn up by: The Ministry of the Environment Vršovická Praha 10 Czech Republic Date: 11 June 2007

3 Contents: 1. Executive Summary Analysis of the Current Situation Context of Air Protection Targets of the Program Principles and Strategies of the Program Outputs of the WAM Scenario Program funding International cooperation and support for research Deadlines and the manner of control of implementation of the Program Manner of Revising the Program Identification of the air protection authority responsible for implementation of the Program Annex No. 1 Logical Framework Annex No. 2 Relationship to Basic Strategic Documents Annex No. 3 Summary description of measures in the WM scenario Annex No. 4 Support for Research Annex No. 5 Description of Indicators Annex No. 6 Abbreviations, Chemical Names... 46

4 1. Executive Summary 1.1 Trends in emissions of pollutants in the Czech Republic At the beginning of the 1990 s, air pollution was one of the most serious problems in the environment of the Czech Republic. Emissions of the main pollutants, especially suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, were amongst the highest in the world and, in some regions, air pollution caused serious health problems in the population and extensive damage to forest ecosystems. Consequently, the main target of the legislation adopted in the area of air protection in 1991 was to achieve a substantial reduction in air pollution in a short period of time. On the basis of the legislation, measures leading to emission reduction were to be implemented by the end of For these reasons, the Czech Republic adopted an extensive and, in its pace, a unique plan to reduce emissions. This led to a considerable reduction in the emissions of all the basic pollutants by However, since then, pollutant emissions have more or less remained constant and the air quality is beginning to exhibit a tendency to deteriorate. The new Air Protection Act adopted in 2002 has not substantially altered this situation. Figure: Illustrative trend in the emissions of acidifying emissions in the Czech Republic in Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Note: Because of the change in the emission inventory methodology, the quantities of emissions are only illustrative; however, the indicated trends in the emissions correspond to real developments. 1.2 Preparation of the National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic The duty to prepare a National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic is laid down in Section 6 of Act No. 86/2002 Coll., on protection of the air, as amended, which thus transposes Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and Council on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants (hereinafter the NECD ). The Integrated National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic was approved in 2004 and was adopted by Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 454/2004. It was updated in 2006 in accordance with the requirements on revision of national programs according to NECD. In relation to the current unsatisfactory state of air quality and in connection with attempts to meet targets to which the member states committed through adoption of the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution, introduced by the European Commission on September 21, 2005 (COM(2005) 446 final), suitable measures were adopted to reduce air pollution by PM 10 and PM 2.5, benzo(a)pyrene and NO x. The National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic was prepared using energy inputs (including projections) provided by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. These energy inputs were simultaneously employed this year for projecting greenhouse gas emissions. 1.3 Instruments and measures The measures implemented in and included in the WM scenario ( With measures ) conform to a considerable degree with the measures adopted at the EU-wide level (e.g. energy savings, support for renewable energy sources, the National Program to reduce emissions from existing very large combustion plants). This is primarily a set of legislative measures based on the European legislation, supported by economic instruments at a national level (mostly financial subsidies). The updated National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic is based on the WAM scenario ( With additional measures ), which is based on the WM scenario and proposes that it be extended to include additional measures targeted towards reduction of

5 emissions of PM 10 and PM 2.5, of precursors of these species and of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 1.4 Emission inventory and projecting The emission situation in the period and emission projections performed using the European RAINS model with the WM scenario ( With measures ) forms a basis for meeting the national emission ceilings of the Czech Republic set for SO 2, NO x, VOC and NH 3 for Table: Total amount of emissions, emission projections and national emission ceilings for 2010 Substance Total annual emissions [kt p.a.] WM scenario 2010 [kt p.a.] Emission ceiling 2010 [kt p.a.] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute It follows from the emission analysis that, following the substantial reduction in 1990 to 1999, emissions decreased only slowly in the 2000 to 2005 period. It further follows from the emission analysis that the main target of the National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic, i.e. meeting the national emission ceilings from 2010, will be achieved because, from the standpoint of overall national emissions, it has been possible to decouple the trends in pollutant emissions from industry from the economic growth of the Czech Republic. 1.5 Changes in emission inventories Because of modification of the method for calculation of emission inventories for mobile sources and household heating, there has been a substantial change in the emission balance of NO x, PM 10 and PM 2.5 in recent months. Because of these changes, there has been a reduction in the amount of reported emissions of these pollutants. This change in the emission inventory was reflected in the entire time series from 2000, so that emission trends were not distorted. Graph: Total quantity of emissions, emission projections and national emission ceilings for 2010 WM scenario 2010 [kt p.a.] Emission ceiling 2010 (kt p.a.) emissions (kt p.a.) pollutants Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute 1.6 Necessity for further steps The European Union is facing the important task of achieving a reduction in air pollution and thus a reduction in the health and environmental risks following from existing air pollution. It is necessary to concentrate particularly on fine dust particles PM 2.5, which lead to a substantial health risk. Representatives of all the member states have agreed that air pollution and its consequences for the health of the population are too extensive for it to be possible to not implement further steps beyond the framework of the existing legislation. This task will be more complicated for the Czech Republic because it must not only reduce air pollution but, as a first step, it needs to stop the increase in air pollution that has occurred in the Czech Republic since Comprehensive arrangement of the framework of the air pollution legislation seems to be an essential step following from completed analyses, in

6 order to shift the emission understanding of the problem to a new conception of pollution, to understanding air pollution and its close connection to the health of the population and ecosystems as a reason for the necessity of implementing further steps. The National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic is targeted towards the greatest problems of this country, i.e. air pollution by dust particles PM 10 and PM 2.5 and pollutants from which these particles can be formed in the atmosphere (especially NO x ). The adopted targets of the National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic will lead not only to an improvement in the quality of life for the inhabitants of the Czech Republic through a reduction in health risks following from air pollution, but also present opportunities for the business sphere, as the new commitments create a market in environmentally sound technologies. Simultaneously, the application of knowledge in the area of air protection is being improved. The National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic provides for and supplements (but certainly does not replace) the program documents of the regions and municipalities and creates a framework for use of funds from public sources, in particular operational programs for the period in the area of air protection.

7 2. Analysis of the Current Situation 2.1 Overall emission situation In preparation of the National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic, a sectoral emission analysis was performed from 2000 to determine the key types of pollution sources. It follows from the analysis particularly that, following the rapid decrease in the 1990 to 1999 period, pollutant emissions into the air in entered a phase of slow decrease or stagnation and remain at a quantity that does not guarantee safe levels from the standpoint of health risks and environmental risks. Table No. 1 gives trends in total national pollutant emissions that have specified national emission ceilings (nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and ammonia) and substances whose high pollution levels present a substantial health risk (PM 10, PM 2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the period. Table No. 1 Trends in total national emissions of NO x, SO 2, VOC, NH 3 and PM 2.5 [kt p.a.] and PAH [t p.a.] Substance Total national emissions in the CR Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute The continuing decrease in emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds from the sector of large and very large sources (especially from the public energy sector) and the reduction in volatile organic compound emissions from the public transport sector are favourable factors. On the other hand, the increasing emissions of pollutants from the sector encompassing unregulated small air pollution sources (especially sulphur dioxide and PM 2.5 from the household heating and transport sectors) constitute an important negative phenomenon. The emission balance figures have been substantially affected in recent years by refinement of the emission balance method, especially a change in the emission balance input data (towards greater use of data from the Czech Statistical Office in the area of mobile sources) and the form of the methodology of calculating pollutant emissions from household heating on the basis of the refined methodology. This refinement has led to a decrease in reported emissions, particularly of nitrogen oxides and primary particles. The changes were reflected in the entire time series from 2000, to avoid distortion of the trends in pollutant emissions in this time period. Graph No. 1: Trends in total emissions of NO x, SO 2, VOC, NH 3, PM 10 and PM 2.5 [kt p.a.] and PAH [t p.a.] Emissions Pollutants Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Graph No. 2: Trends in NO x, SO 2 and PM 10 emissions of from the household heating sector [kt p.a.] Pollutant emissions (kt p.a.) Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute

8 2.2 Trends in emissions of the individual pollutants The emission balances of the individual pollutants covered by the Program are described in detail in parts to Emission balance of nitrogen oxides The emission balance of nitrogen oxides underwent a fundamental change in 2006 because of the above-mentioned changes in the calculation of the contributions of transport and mobile sources in general. Following a change in the input data source (volume of fuels sold), which is now the Czech Statistical Office, it has been found that the contribution of mobile sources to total nitrogen oxide emissions is less than for the previous use of these data from a different information source. A substantial positive feature can be seen in the decreasing, or at least not increasing trend in nitrogen oxide emissions from the decisive sectors: public energy production and highway transportation. Table No. 2: Contributions of the individual sectors to national NO x emissions [kt p.a.] Pollutant: NOx Sector 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4. Other sectors 1.B.1. Fugitive emissions from solid fuel management 2. Industry 6.C. Waste incineration Other sectors Total emissions Total annual emissions [kt] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Graph No. 3: Average contributions of the individual sectors to national NO x emissions [%] 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4. Other sectors 2. Industry Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Emission balance of sulphur dioxide Sulphur dioxide emissions are derived primarily from large and very large combustion plants (from the sector of public and industrial energy production). A satisfactory decreasing trend can be seen in both of these sectors in the 2000 to 2005 period. On the other hand, there has been a slow increase in the sulphur dioxide emissions from the household heating sector, which could be caused by the gradual return to combustion of solid fossil fuels in households.

9 Table No. 3: Contributions of the individual sectors to national SO 2 emissions [kt p.a.] Pollutant: SO 2 Sector 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4. Other sectors 1.B.1. Fugitive emissions from solid fuel management 2. Industry 6.C. Waste incineration Other sectors Total emissions Total annual emissions [kt] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Graph No. 4: Average contribution of the individual sectors to national SO 2 emissions [%] 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.4. Other sectors 2. Industry Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Emission balance for volatile organic compounds It has been possible to eliminate emissions of volatile organic compounds primarily through the introduction of measures in the sectors managing volatile organic compounds. A substantial decrease has also occurred in the highway transport sector. The trend in emissions of volatile organic compounds into the air is certainly not disturbing in any of the monitored sectors. Table No. 4: Contributions of the individual sectors to national VOC emissions [kt p.a.] Pollutant: VOC Sector 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4. Other sectors 1.B.1. Fugitive emissions from solid fuel management 2. Industry 3.A. Use of coatings 3.B. Degreasing and dry cleaning 3.C. Production and processing of chemical products 3.D Other Other sectors Total emissions Total annual emissions [kt] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute

10 Graph No. 5: Average contribution of the individual sectors to national VOC emissions [%] 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport: 1.A.4. Other sectors 3.A. Use of coatings 3.B. Degreasing and dry cleaning 3.C. Production and processing of chemical products 3.D Other Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Emission balance for ammonia Ammonia emissions originate practically only from the agricultural sector, where a reduction in ammonia emissions is apparent as a consequence of introduction of good agricultural practice plans and a reduction in the number of animals kept. The highway transport sector contributes several percent to the total ammonia emission balance. As the ammonia emission balance is based only on calculations and not on measurements, the emission balance is accompanied by uncertainties, which are being gradually eliminated. This is one of the principal reasons why the overall ammonia emission balance has undergone substantial changes in recent years. Table No. 5: Contribution of the individual sectors to national NH 3 emissions [kt p.a.] Pollutant: NH 3 Sector 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 2. Industry 4.B. Processing manure Other sectors Total emissions Total annual emissions [kt] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Graph No. 6: Average contribution of the individual sectors to national NH 3 emissions [%] 1.A.3. Transport 4.B. Processing manure Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Emission balance for primary particles In evaluating the effect of the individual sectors on particle emissions, it is necessary to recall that only emissions of primary particles are involved. However, an important role is also played by secondary particles formed in the atmosphere from precursors. Total emissions can then be obtained by adding the emissions of primary particles and the emissions of precursors of particles, multiplied by the potential for their formation. It is thus apparent that sources that do not emit large amounts of primary particles, but emit large amounts, particularly of NO x, can contribute substantially to the level of air pollution by particulate matter. Resuspension (i.e. stirring up of settled dust) is a further complication that affects the level of air pollution. Mobile sources make an important contribution to this phenomenon and thus it is essential to consider measures in the transport sector.

11 PM 10 and PM 2.5 primary particles are emitted particularly in combustion processes (combustion of coal and biomass in stationary sources and of automotive fuels in vehicle motors). The greatest contribution comes from the energy-production sector (public and industrial energy production and household heating), corresponding to approximately two thirds to the percentage of total PM 10 emissions. Household heating is unambiguously the next most important sector. Table No. 6: Contribution of the individual sectors to national PM 10 emissions [kt p.a.] Pollutant: PM10 Sector 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4. Other sectors (sum) 1.A.4.b. Household heating 2. Industry Total emissions Total annual emissions [kt] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Table No. 7: Contribution of the individual sectors to national primary PM 2.5 emissions [kt p.a.] Pollutant: PM2.5 Sector 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4. Other sectors (sum) 1.A.4.b. Household heating 2. Industry Total emissions Total annual emissions [kt] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Graph No. 7: Average contribution of the individual sectors to national primary PM 10 emissions [%] 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4a. Heating commercial and public buildings 1.A.4.b. Household heating 1.A.4c.ii) Use of fuels in agriculture mobile pollution sources 2. Industry Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Occurrence of secondary particles in the ambient air The particle formation potential has been described in the literature for PM 10 precursors. The European Environmental Agency uses a set of factors based on Frank A. A. M. de Leeuw: Environmental Science & Policy; 5; 2002; The particle formation potentials are as follows: 0.88 for NO x ; 0.54 for SO 2 and 0.64 for NH 3. Data are available for Central Europe (e.g. for Austria, Germany, Netherlands), based on measurements and chemical analyses of particles in the ambient air, performed at various types of measuring sites: in a regional background location, urban background location and at the edges of highways. The percentage ratio of the individual types of particles is as follows:

12 regional background location urban background location edge of highways organic and elemental carbon mineral particles marine particles secondary particles organic and elemental carbon mineral particles marine particles secondary particles Emission balance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons The emission balance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons clearly documents the need to address emissions from the household heating sector. Because of poor-quality combustion of solid fuels (coal and biomass) in unsuitable household heating units, this sector has long been the most important source of these carcinogenic substances. Table No. 8: Contribution of the individual sectors to national PAH emissions [t p.a.] Pollutant: PAH Sector 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4. Other sectors (sum) 1.A.4.b. Household heating 1.B. Fugitive emissions from fuel management 2. Industry Total emissions Total annual emissions [t] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Graph No. 8: Average contribution of important sectors to national PAH emissions [%] 1.A.1 Public energy production 1.A.2. Industrial energy production 1.A.3. Transport 1.A.4.b. Household heating 1.B. Fugitive emissions from fuel management 2. Industry Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute 2.3 Monitoring and Trends in Air Quality The basic air quality monitoring network, which is in accordance with the legislative requirements of the European Communities, was brought into regular operation in the Czech Republic on January 1, In accordance with legislative requirements, the national network is conceived so that stationary measurements provide for monitoring of the air pollution level in agglomerations and zones. In quantification of stationary measurements in the individual agglomerations and zones, consideration is taken of the set legislative requirements on the number of stationary measurements and also of the air quality in the individual zones and agglomerations. The high levels of air pollution by PM 10, benzo(a)pyrene and tropospheric ozone are amongst the most serious problems in the Czech Republic in the area of air quality. The daily pollution limit value for PM 10 was exceeded in 2005 throughout the territory of the Czech Republic, even in localities that had previously been considered to be problem-free

13 from the standpoint of air quality. The permissible level of air pollution was exceeded over 35% of the country, which meant that approximately 65% of the population of the Czech Republic was exposed to above-limit air pollution levels. It is apparent from evaluation of preliminary data for 2006 that conditions in 2006 were very similar to those in Exceeding of the target pollution limit value for benzo(a)pyrene constitutes a substantial problem from the standpoint of health risks. This limit value is exceeded over approximately 5% of the territory of the Czech Republic, affecting more than 35% of the population. The high level of air pollution by tropospheric ozone, exceeding the target pollution limit values for protection of human health (approx. 99% of the country), is a national problem. Problems can also be expected in relation to air pollution by fine dust particles (PM 2.5 ), for which the EC legislation will specify permissible air pollution levels in In the last two years, the proposed limit value was exceeded in the Czech Republic in approximately half the localities where air pollution by PM 2.5 was measured. It follows from the above and from Figure No. 1 that poor air quality is an important contemporary problem in the Czech Republic over the entire country. In addition to the health risks entailed in the current situation, the national and European laws are violated, which could lead to potential problems for the Czech Republic. Consequently, the aspect of air quality is not only a regional, but also a national problem. Fig. No. 1: Territories where the pollution limit value or target pollution limit value or the pollution limit value increased by the margin of tolerance was exceeded in 2005 (without tropospheric ozone) Source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Note: LV = pollution limit value, TV = target pollution limit level, MT = margin of tolerance (each year, there is a reduction in the percentage of the pollution limit level, the exceeding of which results in the obligation to develop programs to improve the air quality) Trends in the levels of air pollution by PM 10 The high level of pollution by particulate matter constitutes the greatest air quality problem in the Czech Republic. The set pollution limit value for PM 10, which must not be exceeded in the territory of the Czech Republic after January 1, 2005, was exceeded in both 2005 and 2006, not only locally, but generally, including outside of urban areas and densely populated areas (see Figure No. 2). Graph No. 9: Trends in the average annual level of air pollution by PM 10 in the CR [µg/m 3 ] Year PM 10 concentration Rural Urban Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute According to the available information, conditions are still deteriorating and the air pollution level is continuing to increase. Complete data series for measurements of the annual levels of air pollution by PM 10 for the period are available for approximately fifty rural and urban locations (see Graph No. 9). The negative (increasing) trends in air pollution levels are apparent from this graph. Fig. No. 2: Fields of maximum 24-hour PM 10 concentrations in 2005 Classification of stations: Concentration [µg.m 3 ] urban background suburban background rural traffic

14 industrial regions agglomerations Source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Trends in the level of air pollution by PM 2.5 The levels of air pollution by PM 2.5 have been measured at 25 sites in the Czech Republic since It is apparent from the results of the measurements that the Czech Republic will have significant problems meeting the limit level for PM 2.5 of 25 µg/m3, which has been proposed in the framework of the newly prepared EC legislation for the period from 2010 or It can be seen from Graph No. 10 that the proposed limit value for PM 2.5 was not met in 2005 at approximately half the measuring sites. The interannual increase in the level of pollution PM 2.5 by can be seen in the Graph and that for PM 10 is depicted in Graph No. 9. The highest average annual level of air pollution was measured in 2004 and 2005 in the Ostrava area, where the values of the average annual levels in 2005 varied from 34 to 45 µg/m 3. These levels constitute a substantial elevated health risk for long-term exposure. This unsatisfactory state was also confirmed by evaluation of the preliminary data for measurement of the level of air pollution by PM 2.5 in 2006, from which it follows that the level of 25 µg/m 3 was exceeded at more than half the measuring sites in In fact, the values measured in 2006 are even higher than those measured in 2005 at selected, heavily burdened sites. Graph No. 10: Average annual levels of air pollution by PM 2.5 in 2004 and 2005 [µg/m 3 ] Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute PM 2.5 concentration The ratio of the level of air pollution by particulate matter in the ambient air The search for the connection between the air pollution levels for PM 10 and PM 2.5 at the same measuring sites will be an interesting task and challenge for the immediate future. In this connection, a discussion was also held during negotiations on the Directive of the European Parliament and Council on the ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, where some of the member states proposed a uniform conversion factor between the PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels. The Czech Republic was fundamentally against this suggestion, as this coefficient varies in a relatively broad range. According to the results of the measurements in the Czech Republic in 2004 and 2005, the value of this factor most frequently varies between 60 and 80%, with a maximum value of 95% and minimum value of 57%. It can thus be stated that the ratio of PM 2.5 fine particles in the PM 10 fraction in the territory of the Czech Republic is quite substantial, with the concurrent higher health risk presented by air pollution by particulate matter. Source: Air pollution in the territory of the Czech Republic in 2004 and 2005, published by: CHMI Trends in the level of air pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons The levels of air pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (specifically benzo(a)pyrene) have been monitored throughout the Czech Republic only since In the previous years, only the results of the measurements of health institutes were available, for approximately 8 locations. In 2005, results were available from 28 measuring sites; it is alarming that, of this total number, the target pollution limit value for benzo(a)pyrene was exceeded at 23 measuring sites; this limit should be met in the Czech Republic by At some sites, there was up to a nine-fold exceeding of this value, e.g. at Ostrava Přívoz (see Graph No. 11). Fig. No. 3 presents the results of modeling of the level of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene. The low number of measuring sites means that these results are more of a general nature and should be understood in the context with the measuring results. The actual level of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene will probably be substantially higher.

15 Fig. No. 3: Fields of the average annual level of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene in 2005 Classification of stations: Concentration [µg.m 3 ] urban background suburban background rural traffic industrial regions agglomerations Source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Graph No. 11: Average annual levels of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene in 2004 and 2005 [µg/m3] Concentration of benzo(a)pyrene Data source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute The high level of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene was also confirmed in 2006 (on the basis of evaluation of preliminary data), as the target pollution limit values for benzo(a)pyrene were exceeded at 26 measuring sites (of 28 sites). The level of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene in smaller municipalities In 2005, the Science and Research project concerned with monitoring air quality in smaller municipalities, implemented for the Ministry of the Environment by the State Health Institute in Prague, was completed. Three smaller municipalities in various regions of the Czech Republic with various types of household heating were selected for implementation of the project. Analysis of pollutant concentrations obtained during the one-year measurement indicated that the air quality in these municipalities depends mainly on the type of fuel. The worst air quality was found in the municipality where brown coal has so far been burned to a substantial degree. Selected specific determined results The level of pollution by PM 10 in these municipalities can be considered to be comparable with that in large cities, but they have greater seasonal variability. The average annual level of air pollution by arsenic in municipalities where brown coal continues to be burned to a significant degree corresponds to a level of 82% of the set limit value for protection of human health. Thus, in the context of the Czech Republic, this is a highly burdened locality. The annual average level of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene in municipalities where brown coal continues to be burned to a substantial degree is fully equivalent to the levels of benzo(a)pyrene in highly industrial zones. The annual average levels of benzo(a)pyrene in all settlements exceeded the target pollution limit values and high levels were simultaneously found in the heating season. Source: Project VaV/740/4/ Territorial priorities Territorial priorities from the viewpoint of the entire territory of the Czech Republic follow from the above analysis of air pollution. Maximum efforts to reduce air pollution should be concentrated in the Moravia-Silesia Region and also in the Ústecký Region, in the Capital City of Prague and in Brno. The greatest fraction of the population of the Czech Republic exposed to high pollution levels lives in these regions. Great attention should be focused particularly on the Ostrava- Karviná area, which has one of the highest air pollution levels in all of Europe. 2.4 Trends in indicators of the Program

16 Indicators for monitoring the Program were selected in relation to the character of the global and specific goals of the Program and take into account the effect of air pollutants on ecosystems and professional health risks caused by air pollution. Table No. 9: Values of indicators of the Program for the 2000 to 2005 period Name of the indicator Units Emissions of pollutants causing acidification kt p.a. Emissions of precursors of tropospheric ozone kt p.a. Overall exposure of the population to above-limit levels of air % pollution Sulphur dioxide emissions kt p.a. Nitrogen oxide emissions kt p.a. Emissions of volatile organic compounds kt p.a. Ammonia emissions kt p.a. Emissions of primary particles and precursors of secondary kt p.a. particles Annual average pollution level of PM 10 µg/m 3 Average annual levels of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene ng/m 3 Source: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Note: The values of the indicators of overall exposure of the population are affected by refining of the modeling methodology used in previous years The values up to 2004 are underestimated. Further detailed information is given in the publication Air Pollution in the Territory of the Czech Republic in 2005, p. 69, published by CHMI. 2.5 Legislative situation Instruments to reduce emissions are mostly based on the legal regulations, in particular Act No. 86/2002 Coll., on protection of the air (hereinafter the Air Protection Act) and on the related implementing regulations. This legislation was adopted in the middle of 2002 and transposed all the then-valid legal regulations of the European Communities and adopted a number of further measures that had not yet been adopted at the level of the European Communities at that time (pollution limit values for mercury, arsenic, nickel, cadmium and benzo(a)pyrene). The provisions of the previous legislation that were useful in practice were left in validity. During discussions, the Air Protection Act was unsystematically extended to include the subject of substances damaging the ozone layer, the subject of protection of the climate and, finally, also the aspect of light pollution. The excessively ambitious treatment of odor pollution was also found to be problematic. Pollution limit values for ammonia were announced quite outside the framework of European law. Some instruments that were newly introduced by the Air Protection Act were formulated incomprehensibly, frequently in too complicated a manner or ambiguously. A number of inadequacies were completely or at least partly eliminated by amendments to the Air Protection Act and its regulations for implementation; nonetheless, further fundamental modifications are required. This is because of the lack of effectiveness of the existing system of regulative and economic instruments in relation to further reduction of emissions and improving air quality. Some other legal regulations also influence reduction of emissions, especially in the area of integrated prevention, waste management, traffic on roadways and energy production. Health risks following from unsuitable combustion of biomass An increase in the fraction of combustion of biomass in the production of thermal energy without respecting the connection with air pollution entails substantial risks. In 2005, approx. 0.8 mil. t of biomass and approx mil. t of coal (incl. coke) were burned in small air pollution sources (especially in households). Nonetheless, biomass contributed approx. 50% to PAH emissions and 54% to PM 2.5 emissions in this group. Legislative experience also exists in the surrounding countries, e.g. Germany, where PM 10 emissions from coal combustion in small combustion plants were reduced between 1995 and 2003 from approx. 16 kt p.a. to approx. 3 kt p.a. However, in parallel, emissions of PM 10 from combustion of biomass

17 increased from approx. 12 kt p.a. to approx. 24 kt p.a. Thus, the reduction in PM 10 emissions from coal combustion was completely compensated. In this respect, the Czech Republic must proceed very carefully as the potential for using renewable sources other than biomass is very limited in the Czech Republic and targets in the area of increasing the fraction of renewable sources in energy production can represent a long-term increase in the health risks for the inhabitants of the Czech Republic if the requirements on air quality are not reflected. Important factors can include timing of the individual steps in providing price advantages for biomass, which should be preceded by replacement of unsuitable combustion facilities by modern, new furnaces intended for combustion/gassification of biomass. This would prevent the dramatic increase in air pollution and the ineffective use of renewable sources, whose potential is limited. 2.6 SWOT analysis Strengths The international commitments of the Czech Republic in the area of emissions (national emission ceilings) will most probably be met. The National Program to reduce emissions of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from existing very large stationary combustion sources of air pollution and plans to reduce emissions from existing very large combustion plants have been prepared. The permissible levels of air pollution for protection of human health for pollutants other than PM 10, benzo(a)pyrene and tropospheric ozone are exceeded only exceptionally: The pollutant limit values for SO 2, lead, mercury, nickel and arsenic have been exceeded only rarely or not at all in recent years; the pollution limit level for benzene is exceeded rarely only in the agglomerations of the Moravia-Silesia region. The permissible limit levels for carbon monoxide and cadmium are exceeded in only a few locations. The annual pollution limit levels for NO 2 are exceeded only at sites with high traffic levels. Exceeding of the pollution limit levels for SO 2 and NO x for protection of ecosystems and vegetation is limited to only a few locations in protected and forested areas. A number of specific projects exist for improving air quality (including a financial framework) on the basis of prepared program addenda to programs to improve the air quality, prepared at the level of zones and agglomerations. The high level of methodical management as a consequence of the introduction of uniform procedures and implementation of methodical recommendations in air quality management at a regional level Weaknesses Emissions of nitrogen oxides in the Czech Republic have long been close to the values of the national emission ceilings for nitrogen oxides. The decisive emitters of PM 10, PM 2.5, PAH and NO x correspond particularly to the difficult-to-regulate sectors of household heating and highway transportation. High emissions of NO x, SO 2 and VOC create a high potential for formation of secondary particles and tropospheric ozone. Existing air pollution represents an elevated health risk for a large part of the population. Since January 1, 2005, the Czech Republic has not complied with the European legislation on air quality. The level of air pollution has increased since 1999 for almost all the monitored pollutants. Health impacts of exposure to PM10 and PM2,5 Particles are an important risk factor with multifarious effects on human health. The size and composition of the particles are affected by the source from which they originate, but they always

18 consist in a mixture of substances with various effects. Simultaneously, they act as carriers for some other pollutants. Factors affecting the impact of particles on health The impact of particles depends on their size, shape and chemical composition Particle size is decisive for penetration and deposition in the respiratory tract. Larger particles are captured in the upper parts of the respiratory tract, from which they are partly coughed out and partly swallowed. Particles denoted as PM 10 (i.e. the thoracic fraction) reach the lower part of the respiratory tract. Finer particles denoted as PM 2.5 (i.e. the respirable fraction) enter the lung air sacs. Fine PM 2.5 particles are considered to be the most important from the standpoint of their effect on health, especially on the death rate. They are formed in the combustion of fossil fuels and contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and condensed organic or metal vapours and some of them have mutagenic or carcinogenic effect. The particles emitted by diesel motors, containing adsorbed carcinogenic substances, are typical ultra-fine particles. It has not yet been possible to determine the threshold concentration under which particles would not have a demonstrable effect on human health. It is assumed that the sensitivity of individuals in the population is very variable and that the most sensitive are at risk of effects even at very low particle concentrations. It can be stated that the lower boundary of the concentration range for which health effects have been determined is not much higher than the concentration considered to be required for Europe and the USA. For example, this required concentration for PM 2.5 is given in the range 3-5 µg/m 3 for the annual average concentration, while this value equals 10 µg/m 3 for PM 10 The most frequently described effects of the action of particles are related to increased overall sickness rate and death rate, especially as a result of cardiovascular diseases, reduction of the lung function in spirometric examination in children and adults, increased consumption of drugs for clearing the respiratory tract in respiratory difficulties especially amongst asthmatics, and shortened lifetime, mainly because of higher death rate from cardiovascular diseases and probably also lung cancer, etc. Sensitivity of the population to the action of particles Impacts on health affect the whole population; however, the sensitivity of persons to these effects varies in dependence on age and state of health. Children are a sensitive group, including infants and the developing embryo. This group also includes older persons and persons with chronic respiratory diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and diseases of the circulatory system, as well as people otherwise weakened, e.g. by a combination of stress, smoking, unsuitable nutrition, etc. Source: National Institute of Public Health Note: required concentration concentration typical for sites not substantially affected by human activities Substantial exceeding of the permissible levels of air pollution for protection of human health: 84% of the population of the CR was exposed to above-limit levels of air pollution by tropospheric ozone in % of the population of the CR was exposed to above-limit levels of air pollution by PM10 in % of the population of the CR was exposed to above-limit levels of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene in 2005 The target pollution limit levels for tropospheric ozone for protection of ecosystems and vegetation was exceeded over 96% of protected territories in 2005 Moral and technical obsolescence of technology in sectors important for emissions Strong local air pollution as a consequence of combustion of solid fuels, which cannot be identified by national air quality monitoring. High levels of toxic substances that are not commonly monitored, entering the ambient air through combustion of municipal waste in households. Low public awareness of the impacts of their conduct on air quality Opportunities Reduction of specific pollutant emissions through an increase in energy efficiency. A marked improvement in air quality as a result of an increased volume of public financial means from the Cohesion Fund for air protection.

19 Implementation of the principles of sustainable development through an increase in the fraction of renewable and secondary energy sources and achieving energy savings in relation to the air quality. Increased attractiveness of the region through improved air quality Improvement in the state of health of the population Greater level of use of environmentally friendly technologies as a consequence of increased financial assistance Threats Lack of funds to provide for financing and co-financing of proposed measures. Increase in the price of energy and corresponding transition to solid fuels. Unwillingness of inhabitants to bear responsibility for the quality of the air Evaluation of the Integrated National Program to Reduce Emissions in the CR The Integrated National Emission Reduction Program of the Czech Republic was approved in 2004 and was adopted by Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 454/2004. As the vast majority of the tasks in this program were concerned mostly with the creation of an institutional framework, this program did not lead to quantifiable reduction in pollutant emissions. The specific tasks contained in this program were implemented with only a few exceptions. The results of implementation of some tasks were taken into account in revision of the existing legislation (e.g. revision of emission and pollution level limits) and some of the results are taken into account in the Program. 3. Context of Air Protection 3.1 Relationship to fundamental national and international strategic documents Annex No. 2 describes in detail the relationship of the Program to fundamental national and international documents. Relationship of the Program to especially the following national and international documents is important: State Environmental Policy Environmental Operational Program for the Period State Energy Policy National Program to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change in the Czech Republic The National Program of Sound Energy Management and Use of Renewable and Secondary Energy Sources Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution The UN ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution 3.2 Analysis of compliance with the emission limit values and other limit values and other conditions for operation of air pollution sources The Czech Environmental Inspectorate controls the compliance with the emission limit values and other conditions for the operation of air pollution sources. The number of completed checks, revisions and controls in the period equaled an average of 4500 annually and an average of 400 fines were imposed annually. It can thus be stated that, assuming that the Czech Environmental Inspectorate controls are a representative selection of the approximately regulated very large, large and medium-sized sources, more than 90% of the operators of air pollution sources have no difficulties in complying with the emission limits and other conditions for operation of the sources. It follows from trends in the air pollution level that even consistent compliance with the current legislative requirements on air pollution sources is not sufficient to ensure general compliance with all the set permissible levels of air pollution. These levels are substantially exceeded particularly for PM 10 and benzo(a)pyrene.

20 3.3 Air protection in the context of the European Union From the point of view of air quality, the Czech Republic is one of the worst countries in the European Union. The air quality indicator, expressed as the average annual PM 10 concentration, to which the population is exposed in the cities of the individual member states of the European Union in the given year, is monitored in the member states of the European Union. The values of this indicator are given in Table No. 10 for the period. Based on evaluation of this indicator, the Czech Republic has long belonged amongst the worst countries in the European Union; especially the countries of Southern Europe, which have greater preconditions for air pollution by dust particles, exhibit worse figures. In 2004, the value of this indicator for the Czech Republic was approx. 150% of the average for the 25 European Union member states. Tab. No. 10: Exposure of urban populations to levels of air pollution by PM 10 [µg/m3] Country EU (25 countries) EU (15 countries) Italy Slovenia Greece Czech Republic Poland Belgium Portugal Slovakia Spain The Netherlands Austria Germany Great Britain France Sweden Estonia Finland Ireland Data source: Eurostat When the trends in the levels of air pollution by PM 10 are compared, the Czech Republic once again is not in a good position, e.g. compared to Great Britain. Graph No. 12 depicts the average annual levels of air pollution by PM 10 at the measured sites in the Czech Republic and Great Britain, together with the level of air pollution by PM 10 in the most polluted areas of these countries (in the Czech Republic, this was Český Těšín). It is apparent from this comparison that, while the initial situation in the two countries was very similar in 1998 and 1999 (to the contrary, as a consequence of application of effective measures in 1998 and 1999, the Czech Republic improved conditions, reflected particularly in the industrial area of Český Těšín), after 1999 a negative trend appeared in the Czech Republic in both the average for the whole country and also in selected most polluted areas. This negative trend did not appear in Great Britain. The high level of air pollution by PM 10 is also confirmed by a map of Europe with the annual average levels of air pollution by PM 10 in 2004 (see Figure No. 4). This map also confirms the territorial priority of the Czech Republic the Ostrava-Karviná area, which is among the most highly polluted in all of Europe. Graph No. 12: Average annual level of air pollution by PM 10 and the level at the most polluted measuring sites in the Czech Republic and Great Britain [µg/m3] Year PM10 concentration average - CR maximum - CR average - UK