All-time low in European ozone levels

Ozone levels in Europe during summer 2009 were among the lowest since comprehensive data reporting started in 1997. Eighteen EU countries reported exceeding the information threshold (ozone concentrations over 180 µg/m³), with Belgium, Greece, Italy and Portugal recording the largest number of exceedances.

The record lows in 2009 came despite average summer temperatures close to those measured in the extremely hot summer of 2003, which witnessed the highest number of exceedances in the last decade. The differing results in the two summers may be attributable to several factors because ozone formation is determined by various meteorological conditions, as well as the chemical composition of the atmosphere. It seems likely, however, that reductions in man-made ozone precursor pollutant emissions in Europe contributed significantly to the general decrease in peak ozone concentrations.

Source: EEA report “Air pollution by ozone across Europe during summer 2009” (3 March, 2010). Web link: www.eea.europa.eu/publications/

In this issue

Too much NOx from trucks

A recent research project by the Dutch consultancy TNO has shown that real world NOx emissions from Euro V trucks in urban driving conditions are three times higher than previously expected and only marginally better than those ..

40 per cent carbon cuts with smaller scale tech

Greenhouse gas emissions can be cut by 40 per cent in ten years - with no nuclear power and without carbon capture, a new study from the Stockholm Environment Institute claims.

Go slower to go greener

The overcapacity in the cargo fleet creates an opportunity to reduce ship emissions by simply sailing slower.

EU Parliament votes for stronger pollution directive

On 4 May the European Parliament’s environment committee agreed to somewhat strengthen proposals to revise the EU directive on industrial pollution (IPPC). It called for stricter derogations from certain requirements than were agreed ..

A WWF prescription for greening Germany

German greenhouse gas emissions can be cut by 95 per cent by 2050 without excessive costs, a new WWF report claims.

North American ship pollution will be curbed

The emission control area off North American coasts will deliver public health benefits hundreds of miles inland.

British power plants pollute Dutch rural areas

Three big British power plants contribute more to the depostion of sulphur, nitrogen oxides and fine particles in rural Holland than 11 domestic plants combined.

NOx sources in the UK: the story behind the figures

Why the UK continues to live up to its “Dirty man of Europe” reputation, despite being among the richer countries in Europe.

The poor legacy of Copenhagen

Commitments made after Copenhagen are far from sufficient to keep global warming below 2°C. Without further measures 3°C is more likely, and 5°C a possible scenario.

Ozone, plants and climate - views and news

Climate strongly affects plant sensitivity to ozone, and ozone effects on vegetation can have important feedbacks on the climate.

Roadmap for 2050 offers low-carbon Europe for free

Cutting European greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by mid-century is not only possible - it would cost less than doing nothing.

And the winner is...

For a third straight year the Polish power plant Belchatow tops the list of Europe’s dirtiest installations in 2009, European Commission data showed.

Particles killing half a million

Air pollution by fine particles is estimated to cause half a million premature deaths in European countries every year.

Editorial: Shipping must pay its bill

On 26 March, the United States and Canada hailed and praised the UN International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) adoption of an emission control area (ECA) all along the North American coastline.