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%

 trend of PM<sub>2.5</sub> emisisons, by sector  trend of PM<sub>2.5</sub> emisisons, by sector, from 2005