Europe
Clean Air for Europe (CAFE)
In May 2001, the European Commission formally adopted the Clean Air For Europe (CAFE) programme. The programme is aimed at integrating the various strands of air pollution policy under the 6th Environmental Action Programme and includes the preparation of a thematic strategy on air pollution – one of seven covering various areas of EU environmental policy. The CAFE process has therefore effectively become the focal point for the EU's air quality work, providing a framework within which air pollution measures, such as the Auto Oil programme, national emissions ceilings Directive and the air quality Daughter Directives can be coordinated.
In September 2005, the Commission published its Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution; its aim being to cut the annual number of premature deaths caused by air pollution by 40% by 2020 from the 2000 level and to reduce the continuing damage to Europe's ecosystems. To do this the Strategy says that emissions of sulphur dioxide will need to be reduced by 82%, nitrogen oxides by 60%, volatile organic compounds by 51%, ammonia by 27% and fine particulate matter by 59% (compared to their 2000 levels).
The Strategy proposes streamlining European air quality legislation and to this end includes a proposal for a Directive on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (COM(2005) 447) which will replace the Air Quality Framework Directive and three of its Daughter Directives (on sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead; on carbon monoxide & benzene; and that on monitoring & information on ozone).
The Strategy also outlines proposals for reviewing the National Emission Ceilings Directive, and for consideration to be given to the feasibility of tighter (Euro 5) emission limits for cars and Euro VI for heavy goods vehicles. Consideration is also to be given to extending the Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Directive to cover small combustion plant, a new Directive reducing VOC emissions from fuel stations, setting NOx emission limit values for ships, and reducing nitrogen use for animal feedstuffs and fertilisers.
Full details of the CAFE programme and of the Thematic Strategy can be found on the DG Environment website.
European Air Quality Limit Values
Most air quality standards applicable in the UK now flow from limit values set by the European Union. European Limit Values are legally binding, and exceedences can result in the European Commission taking legal action against the country at fault.
In 1996, the European Union adopted the Air Quality Framework Directive (96/62/EC), which in turn gave rise to a series of "Daughter" Directives containing Limit Values for seven of the eight pollutants contained in the UK Air Quality Strategy. These have now been transposed into UK law, through the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2007 (England SI 2007/64; Scotland SSI 2007/182; Wales SI 2007/17, W63; NI SR 2007/265), with for the most part, the UK objectives being brought into line to match them.
In June 2008 a new Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC) came into force and must be implemented by member states by 11 June 2010. This merges the former framework Directive and the first three Daughter Directives into a single Directive with no change to existing air quality objectives. It also introduces new air quality objectives for PM 2.5 (fine particles) including a limit value and exposure related objectives – exposure concentration obligation and exposure reduction target.
The new Directive also introduced several new features that weaken the previous legislation, including the possibility to discount natural sources of particles (e.g. sea salt) when assessing compliance against limit values, and the possibility (with EU approval) of time extensions of three years (PM10) or up to five years (NO2, benzene) for complying with limit values. The UK Government has applied for time extensions for PM10 and will apply for a time extension for NO2 in 2010.
Euro Vehicle Emission Standards
All new vehicles must comply with strict EU vehicle emission standards, known as Euro standards. Four pollutants are covered: carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and for diesel cars, particulate matter. The current standards are Euro 4 for cars and light vans and Euro V for heavy duty vehicles. Note that car and light van standards apply to the vehicle model, whilst heavy duty standards apply to the engine used (not the vehicle itself).
In early 2008 new Euro 5 and 6 emission standards for cars and light goods vehicles were agreed by the European Union. These represent significant tightening of NOx and PM limits, and for the first time would apply PM limits to petrol vehicles. For diesel vehicles Euro 5 will significantly decrease emissions of PM, whilst Euro 6 will add to this with lower NOx limits. Euro 5 and 6 will come into force during 2009 and 2014 respectively.
In December 2008 Euro VI emission limits, to apply to heavy duty engines, were agreed. The standard will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by 80% and particulate matter by 66% compared to the Euro V limits. Pending a rubber stamp by the European Council Euro VI will come into force at the end of 2012.
Related Links
EU Air Quality Pages