Industrial Emissions Directive adopted

On 8 November the new Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) was formally adopted by the Council of Ministers. It updates and merges seven pieces of existing legislation on solvents, large combustion plants (LCPs), waste incineration, titanium dioxide production and integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC). Around 52 000 installations are covered by this act, including power plants, metal production and chemical manufacturing facilities. The new directive will strengthen the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) in the permitting process.

Fossil fuel fired combustion plants are still a major source of air pollutant emissions. The new directive sets stricter emission limits for NOx, SO₂ and dust from the largest plants. According to the European Commission, the resulting benefits of emission reductions run to between €7 and €28 billion per year, including the prevention of 13 000 premature deaths per annum.

New plants must apply the stricter standards from 2012, while existing plants have to comply with these standards from 2016, but there are some significant derogations. Until 30 June 2020, member states may define transitional plans with declining annual emission caps. Moreover, installations that are already scheduled to close before the end of 2023 or operate less than 17 500 hours after 2016 may be exempt from upgrading.

The directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal, which is expected before the end of 2010. Member states will then have two years to transpose the directive into their legislation and to start implementing the new legislation.

Source: European Commission press release 8 November 2010.

In this issue

Extra time for non-road vehicles to meet limits

Manufacturers of tractors and engines used in non-road mobile machinery will need more time to meet already adopted stricter emission limits, according to the European Commission.

Air pollution and health in Asia

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated in 2002 that over 500,000 deaths in Asia in the year 2000 were caused by outdoor air pollution exposure, accounting for approximately two thirds of the total global burden of deaths attributed to ambient air pollution.

Intercontinental transport of air pollutants

Throughout the northern hemisphere, intercontinental flows of important air pollutants, such as ozone and fine particles, have a significant impact on environmental quality.

Tougher emissions standards for motorcycles

European motorcycles should come with advanced anti-lock braking systems, cleaner engines and daytime headlights in order to reduce road deaths and pollution, according to new emissions and safety requirements for motorcycles and all other L-category vehicles proposed on 4 October by the European Commission.

Coal in Europe - states still support a dying industry

In this series of short articles, some of AirClim's partner organisations provide an insight into the domestic situation of the coal industry in Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. Behind each article lies a larger report which can be found online. The articles describe a reality of continued state support for a crumbling crumbling industry that is damaging health, the environment, and national economies.

EU consults on marine fuels

The European Commission is seeking stakeholder input via an internet consultation on a forthcoming proposal to update the EU directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels.

Industrial Emissions Directive adopted

On 8 November the new Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) was formally adopted by the Council of Ministers. It updates and merges seven pieces of existing legislation on solvents, large combustion plants (LCPs), waste incineration, titanium dioxide production and integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC).

More EU air quality failures

In late November the European Commission decided to take four more member states – Cyprus, Italy, Portugal and Spain – to the European Court of Justice for failing to comply with EU air quality limit values for airborne particles (PM₁₀).

Wind can provide 20% of electricity by 2030

Wind could meet twelve per cent of global power demand by 2020, and up to 22 per cent by 2030, according to a study published by the Global Wind Energy Council and Greenpeace International.

New analysis of national emissions ceilings

Additional measures to achieve the interim targets of the thematic strategy on air pollution would cost less than €3 per person in 2020, or less than one eurocent per day.

MEPs call for a binding energy efficiency target

On 9 November 2010 the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee reiterated its call for a binding EU target on energy saving, a demand also made by the Environment Committee in October...

GHG emissions must peak by 2015

A new EU report highlights the urgency of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases if a 2°C target is to be met.

How to avoid critical levels of climate change?

The Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will hopefully have this month adopted the 2°C target from the Copenhagen Accord in a legal text. After many years of negotiation, a target has finally been formulated which the world believes needs to be met to avoid dangerous climate change and fulfil the objective of the Convention. This is a very big step forward!

Main menu

Industrial Emissions Directive adopted

In this issue

Extra time for non-road vehicles to meet limits

Air pollution and health in Asia

Intercontinental transport of air pollutants

Tougher emissions standards for motorcycles

Coal in Europe - states still support a dying industry

EU consults on marine fuels

Industrial Emissions Directive adopted

More EU air quality failures

Wind can provide 20% of electricity by 2030

New analysis of national emissions ceilings

MEPs call for a binding energy efficiency target

GHG emissions must peak by 2015

How to avoid critical levels of climate change?

Publications

SINK OR SOURCE? Northern Forests at a crossroads

The role of northern forests in limiting warming to 1.5°C

Protecting Northern Forests crucial for biodiversity, the climate and indigenous rights

The 100 largest industry emitters in EU-27

Road to Nowhere

Bioenergy CCS – too little, too expensive, and not net negative

Direct air carbon capture and storage - A waste of time and energy

Carbon emissions from the cement industry can be reduced without CCS

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

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