Sweden first to ratify the Gothenburg Protocol

Sweden has become the first Party to accept the 2012 amendments to the 1999 Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone (Gothenburg Protocol) under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP).

The amended Gothenburg Protocol includes national emission reduction commitments to be achieved in 2020 and beyond for five main air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NM-VOC), ammonia (NH₃), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Because it deals simultaneously with several pollutants and their different effects, the Gothenburg Protocol has been referred to as multi-pollutant and multi-effect protocol.

Source: UNECE Weekly 646, 23-27 November 201
Link: www.unece.org/env/lrtap/multi_h1.html

In this issue

MEPs weaken air pollution ambition

The agriculture industry must also make an effort as member states strive to meet stricter 2025 and 2030 air pollution reduction targets under the National Emission Ceilings directive, says the European Parliament.

Editorial: EU’s key legal instrument for improving air quality

The National Emission Ceilings (NEC) directive is the EU’s key legal instrument for improving air quality and is currently the subject of negotiation among member states in the Council.

The costs of melting permafrost

Researchers have for the first time modelled the economic impact caused by melting permafrost in the Arctic up to the end of the twenty-second century.

Tipping points – no safe limit

18 possible tipping points well before +2°C is reached

Diesel cars will continue to exceed emission limits

With the new real driving emissions test coming into force from September 2017, new diesel cars will still be allowed to exceed the NOx pollution limit by 110 per cent.

Cut agricultural ammonia emissions

The additional cost for farmers to reduce ammonia emissions is only a small percentage of the total volume of subsidies that flow to the agricultural sector through the Common Agricultural Policy.

Coal phase-out in Germany and the UK has started?

Citizens movements and public debate are putting pressure on governments.

Legally binding phase-out law for coal

Extract from BUND’s 2014 proposed plan to phase out all coal power stations in Germany by 2030.

New Energy [R]Evolution Scenario from Greenpeace

Greenpeace has published an updated version of its Energy [R]Evolution scenario. It delivers more CO₂ cuts than previous versions, and does away with nuclear and CCS. But is still not compatible with a fair chance of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees.

Global health risks from short-lived climate pollutants

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report that highlights the urgent need to reduce emissions of black carbon, ozone and methane, which all contribute to more than 7 million premature deaths annually linked to outdoor and indoor air pollution.

BUND criticises lignite reserves: Not making the grade

The lignite reserve will be no more than an expensive placebo for climate protection if the Federal Government does not step up its measures. This is an extract from BUND’s call for the reserve to be doubled at least, and for costs to be minimised.

Better enforcement and stiffer fines wanted

Shipping industry and environment groups urge member states to take action to ensure proper implementation of the EU ship sulphur limits.

The structure and power of the fossil gas industry

The oil and gas lobby is very strong and has strong political links.

Air pollution takes 3.3 million lives per year

Farming emissions of ammonia are a leading cause of air pollution health damage and premature deaths in Europe and eastern United States.

Main menu

Sweden first to ratify the Gothenburg Protocol

In this issue

MEPs weaken air pollution ambition

Editorial: EU’s key legal instrument for improving air quality

The costs of melting permafrost

Tipping points – no safe limit

Diesel cars will continue to exceed emission limits

Cut agricultural ammonia emissions

Coal phase-out in Germany and the UK has started?

Legally binding phase-out law for coal

New Energy [R]Evolution Scenario from Greenpeace

Global health risks from short-lived climate pollutants

BUND criticises lignite reserves: Not making the grade

Better enforcement and stiffer fines wanted

The structure and power of the fossil gas industry

Air pollution takes 3.3 million lives per year

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

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