National emission ceilings in Portugal—trends, compliance and projections

Abstract

The national emission ceilings (NEC) Directive was implemented to contribute to the reduction of transboundary air pollutions impacts, limiting emissions of acidifying and eutrophication pollutants as well as ozone precursors. It was first adopted by the European Commission (EC) in 2001 (Directive 2001/81/EC) covering four pollutants (NO_x, SO₂, NH₃ and NMVOC). Under the scope of the clean air programme for Europe, which established the air policy objectives for 2020 and 2030, a new NEC was adopted (Directive 2016/2284/EU) establishing more strict ceilings for those pollutants and adding as well PM_2.5. The objective of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the Portuguese national emissions and the compliance of NEC Directive in 2010 and to foresee if the new ceilings for 2030 will be fulfilled. The emission inventories reported to the EC show that emissions in Portugal presented a consistent decreasing trend for all pollutants from 2000 to 2014, and a slight increase in 2015. The 2010 targets were achieved with measures implemented at the time (particularly on the energy, industrial combustion and transport sectors) which allowed Portugal to even surpass the defined goals. The emission projections for 2030, however, reveal that necessary emission reductions for all pollutants could be attained only if measures of the most demanding scenarios are implemented. Therefore, an integrated strategy should be designed and implemented aiming to not only fulfil the NEC in 2030 but also guarantee a better air quality with the highest cost-benefit for the environment and health.

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