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Explanation of Key Trends - Fine Particulate Matter (PM₂.₅)
Obligations
Germany has made a commitment to reduce particulate matter emissions. The revised Gothenburg Protocol and the revised NEC Directive both define emission reduction targets relative to a 2005 base year, mandating 26% (2020) and 43% (2030) reductions respectively.
While Germany's compliance with these obligations is not discussed here, further information on this subject can be found in Chapter 9 - Projections and Chapter 11 - Adjustments and Emission Ceiling Exceedance.
Main drivers
Between 1995 and 2022, Total PM2.5 emissions declined by 57.8%.
The Main Drivers for PM2.5 emissions are Fuel Combustion (NFR 1.A) with 73% of total 1995 emissions and a 64% reduction between 1995 and 2022 and, as a sum, the Industrial Processes (NFR 2) with about 20% of total 1995 emissions and a 48% reduction between 1995 and 2022.
Within both National totals and NFR 1.A, Transport (NFR 1.A.3) is responsible for the biggest part of PM2.5 emissions. Here, about 77% of 2019 PM2.5 transport emissions are induced by Road Transport (NFR 1.A.3.b), caused by two third directly by fuel consumption (NFR 1.A.3.b.i - v) and the other third by road abrasion and tyre and brake wear (NFR 1.A.3.b.vi - vii).
Table: PM2.5 emissions 1990-2021, in kilotonnes [kt]
Trend: latest compared to | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 1995 | previous year |
200 | 164 | 133 | 118 | 113 | 111 | 110 | 102 | 101 | 95 | 94 | 94 | 89 | 81 | 83 | 84 | -57.8% | +1,6% |