====== Explanation of Key Trends - Non Methane Volatile Organic Compounds ======

===== Obligations =====

Germany has made a commitment under the Gothenburg Protocol to reduce NMVOC emissions. Since 2010, it is no longer permissible to exceed a National Emission Ceiling of 995 kt NMVOC for Germany as whole. The revised Gothenburg Protocol and the revised NEC Directive both define emission reduction targets relative to a 2005 base year, mandating 13% (2020) and 28% (2030) reductions respectively.

While Germany's compliance with these obligations is not discussed here, further information on this subject can be found in [[general:projections:start|Chapter 9 - Projections]] and [[general:adjustments:start|Chapter 11 - Adjustments and Emission Ceiling Exceedance]].

===== Main drivers =====

NMVOC **total emissions** show a falling trend from 1990 onwards, with **emission reductions of 73.6% between 1990 and 2021**. 

Here, a bump occurs in 2010 after the dent of 2008 and 2009 due to the economic situation. After a period of stagnating emissions, the last few years show a slight annual emission reduction of 3% on average.

The main drivers for NMVOC emissions are **Fuel Combustion (NFR 1.A)** with about half of total 1990 emissions and a 92% reduction between 1990 and 2021. 

In the Fuel Combustion category, **Road Transport (NFR 1.A.3.b)** is responsible for about three quarters of the 1990 Fuel Combustion emissions, with **Passenger Cars (NFR 1.A.3.b i)** emitting nearly all of it. Reductions of about 95% in those categories between 1990 and 2021 are mainly due to increasingly stricter regulations, especially incentives for automobile users to retrofit/buy cars with catalytic converters.

Furthermore the implementation of the Technical Instruction on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft 2002), to decreases in emissions from **petrol storage and from fuelling of motor vehicles (1.B.2.a.v)** - as a result of implementation of the 20th and 21st Ordinances on the Execution of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchV) - and to reduced petrol consumption play a major role in the reduction of NMVOC emissions within the category **Fugitive Emissions from fossil fuels (NRF 1.B.2)**.

Substantial emissions also come from **Non-Energy Products from Fuels (NFR 2.D)**, emitting 31% of total 1990 emissions and a 58% reduction between 1990 and 2021.

__Table: NMVOC emissions 1990-2021, in kilotonnes [kt]__

^                                                                                                                                |||||||||||||||^  Trend: latest compared to                                                                  ||
^  1990  ^  1995  ^  2000  ^  2005  ^  2010  ^  2011  ^  2012  ^  2013  ^  2014  ^  2015  ^  2016  ^  2017  ^  2018  ^  2019  ^   2020 ^  2021  ^  1990                                            ^  last years                               ^
|  3,949 |  2,363 |  1,814 |  1,490 |  1,363 |  1,274 |  1,258 |  1,213 |  1,173 |  1,147 |  1,139 |  1,143 |  1,096 |  1,066 | 1,029  | 1,044  |  {{:general:trends:down_green.png|down}} -73.6%  |  {{:general:trends:down_green.png|down}}  |

{{ :general:trends:iir_nmvoc_trend.png?direct&800 | trend of NMVOC emissions, by sector}}
{{ :general:trends:iir_nmvoc_trend_from_2005.png?direct&800 | trend of NMVOC emissions, by sector, from 2005}}