Baltic Sea - first nitrogen emissions control area? The Baltic Sea is already an emission control area (ECA) for sulpur dioxide. Now HELCOM intends to take the same step for nitrogen oxides. Read more
Greece and Spain still defaulting Greece and Spain have still not reduced their emissions as required by the protocols to the Convention on Long Range Air Pollution Read more
Stricter emission limits for trucks and buses The European Parliament agreed in December to a proposal that emissions of nitrogen oxides from new heavy duty vehicles shall be cut by 80 per cent and those of particulate matter by 66 per cent, as compared to existing standards. Read more
Ocean acidification – the other CO2 problem Within decades increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere could severely damage marine ecosystems, scientists warn. Read more
Coal-fired power plants still heavy polluters Large combustion plants are responsible for two thirds of EUs total sulphur emissions, and the coal-fired top ten polluters account for 30 per cent. Read more
Asian brown cloud affects food safety for billions Man-made brown clouds are jeopardizing human health and food production for three billion people in Asia. Read more
European ecosystem sensitivity mapped Excess nitrogen deposition in the EU is threatening the sustainability of natural ecosystems over an area of more than one million square kilometres. Read more
One per cent of GDP will save the climate A new study shows that global warming can be kept below the critical 2°C rise at a cost of well below one per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). Read more
Carbon limit proposed for large power plants Binding emission standards for all large plants - new and existing - could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by two thirds. Read more
The road to Copenhagen On 28 January the Commission issued a press release on the EU’s targets for a climate agreement in Copenhagen. Read more
Strong structure, weak numbers The final agreement on the EU climate package retains the goal to reduce emissions by 20 per cent. Together with a 20-per-cent share of renewables and 20-per-cent energy savings, this creates the triple goal of 20-20-20 by 2020. Read more
Petrol vapour recovery to become mandatory Draft new EU legislation that would limit harmful vapour emissions from petrol pumps was proposed on 4 December by the European Commission. Read more
16 states exceed emisson limits Only eleven member states expect to comply with their emission limits for all four air pollutants set by the EU national emission ceilings directive. Read more
Editorial: Enforcement is the key On 29 January the European Commission issued a series of legal threats to Member States for alleged breaches of EU legislation on air quality and industrial pollution. Read more
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Draft new EU legislation that would limit harmful vapour emissions from petrol pumps was proposed on 4 December by the European Commission.
