Annex 3: Air Quality Directives
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Directive |
Key Elements |
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The Directive sets levels for five pollutants (nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5)). It requires Member States to make national emissions reduction commitments, using 2005 as a base year. These national emission reduction commitments need to be met in two phases, from 2020 to 2029, with more stringent reductions from 2030 onwards . 47 The Directive was one of the EU’s measures to implement the Gothenburg Protocol to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution and its amendments . 48 The Directive is transposed into UK legislation by the National Emission Ceilings Regulations 2018. |
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This sets limits for ambient concentrations of seven pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, fine particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, lead, carbon monoxide and benzene) . 49 Where pollution breaks the thresholds, air quality plans must be introduced to correct the situation. These may include specific measures to protect sensitive groups, such as children. If there is a risk that pollution levels may exceed the thresholds, short-term action plans to reduce road traffic, construction works or certain industrial activities, for instance, must be implemented . 50 The Directive requires the UK to report air quality data to the European Commission. The Directive is transposed into UK legislation through the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010. |
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The IED aims to protect human health and the environment through the use of “Best Available Techniques” (BAT). BAT means the available techniques which are the best for preventing or minimising emissions and impacts on the environment. The European Commission produces BAT reference documents setting out the technology which must be used and the way the installation is designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned. Permits are required to operate in accordance with the Directive . 51 It is implemented through the Environmental Permitting (EP) regime in England and Wales, the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) regime in Scotland and in Northern Ireland through the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 . 52 The IED includes a requirement for businesses within Member States to take measures to reduce ammonia emissions. It applies to pig and poultry holdings if they have more than 2,000 production pig places (for pigs over 30 kg), 750 sow places or 40,000 poultry places . 53 |
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This regulates pollutant emissions (including sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx)) from the combustion of fuels in plants used to heat large buildings (offices, hotels, hospitals, prisons) and industrial processes, as well as for power generation. It is transposed by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018. |
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Other Related Directives and measures |
In addition, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Nitrates Directive and the Industrial Emission Directive have targeted ammonia emissions from farming by changing farming practices, such as introducing pollution control measures in livestock farms and linking such practices to CAP payments through cross-compliance . 54 |
47 See: Defra, Explanatory Memorandum to the National Emission Ceilings Regulations 2018, (2018). For an overview of the limits and how they are recorded see: Defra, UK and EU Air Quality Limits, (accessed 9 June 2018). This includes the production of an initial National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) by 1 April 2019 - see: EU Commission, Draft Guidance on National Air Pollution Control Programmes, (March 2017).
48 The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone was amended in 2012 to inter-alia include particulate matter as a pollutant. See UNECE, Parties to UNECE Air Pollution Convention approve new emission reduction commitments for main air pollutants by 2020, (2012). See House of Commons Library, Brexit and Air Quality, (June 2018), pp 9–10.
49 It set the following emissions limits and deadlines for human health: by January 2005 for PM10: a maximum annual mean concentration of no more than 40μg/m3 and a 24 hour mean concentration of 50μg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year; by January 2010 for NO₂: a maximum annual mean concentration of no more than 40μg/m3 and an hourly mean concentration of 200μg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times in a year; by January 2015 for PM2.5: a maximum annual mean concentration of 25μg/m3; by January 2020 for PM2.5: a maximum annual mean concentration of 20μg/m; by January 2010 for ozone: a target of a daily 8 hour ozone mean of 120 μg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 25 days year (averaged over 3 years). A long-term objective of a daily 8-hour ozone mean of 120 μg/m3, with no exceedances from January 2020. See: House of Commons Library, Brexit and Air Quality, (June 2018) p 11.
50 See: House of Commons Library, Brexit and Air Quality, (June 2018), p 8.
51 See: House of Commons Library, Brexit and Air Quality, (June 2018), p 14.
52 See Defra, Environmental Permitting Guidance Core Guidance For the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010, (updated 2013).
53 See: European Commission, New EU environmental standards for large poultry and pig farms, (November 2017).
54 See: Eurostat, Agri-environmental indicator - ammonia emissions, (accessed 21 July 2018).
Published: 22 November 2018