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general:trends:start [2023/03/15 12:41] – [Chapter 2 - Explanation of Key Trends] kotzullageneral:trends:start [2025/03/17 18:08] (current) – [Total emission trends] vosen
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 Between the 1950s and 1970s, air pollution in both parts of Germany was considerably higher than today, mainly due to the "traditional" pollutants sulphur dioxide, airborne particulates and to some extend nitrogen oxides. The reduction in the concentration of pollutants has been forced by regulations that induced technological advancements in stationary combustion plants and vehicles and caused the gradual changeover from solid fuels like coal and lignite to oil and gas, the increased use of low-sulphur heating oil, and, later, the desulphurisation of flue gases in large combustion plants (LCP). Between the 1950s and 1970s, air pollution in both parts of Germany was considerably higher than today, mainly due to the "traditional" pollutants sulphur dioxide, airborne particulates and to some extend nitrogen oxides. The reduction in the concentration of pollutants has been forced by regulations that induced technological advancements in stationary combustion plants and vehicles and caused the gradual changeover from solid fuels like coal and lignite to oil and gas, the increased use of low-sulphur heating oil, and, later, the desulphurisation of flue gases in large combustion plants (LCP).
  
-Air pollution control measures, regulated by law from 1983 onward, have led to a further major pollutant reduction of average annual levels – to below 25 μg/m³ in the case of SO₂ concentrations. In eastern Germany, decreases in SO₂ and particulate emissions associated with economic restructuring, redevelopment of smokestack industrial areas, and the construction of advanced, state-of-the-art industrial plants are also reflected in the emission concentrations measured. For example, the annual mean SO₂ pollution levels in the industrial and urban conurbations of West Saxony, southern Saxony-Anhalt, and eastern Thuringia fell from about 150–175 μg/m³ to 8–15 μg/m³ between 1990 and 2003. As a result of the reductions achieved, the winter smog alarms that were previously caused by sulphur dioxide emissions have been effectively eliminated. This applies to both East and West Germany, even in topographically unfavourable locations such as valleys and geological basins.+Air pollution control measures, regulated by law from 1983 onward, have led to a further major pollutant reduction of average annual levels – to below 25 μg/m³ in the case of SO<sub>2</sub> concentrations. In eastern Germany, decreases in SO₂ and particulate emissions associated with economic restructuring, redevelopment of smokestack industrial areas, and the construction of advanced, state-of-the-art industrial plants are also reflected in the emission concentrations measured. For example, the annual mean SO₂ pollution levels in the industrial and urban conurbations of West Saxony, southern Saxony-Anhalt, and eastern Thuringia fell from about 150–175 μg/m³ to 8–15 μg/m³ between 1990 and 2003. As a result of the reductions achieved, the winter smog alarms that were previously caused by sulphur dioxide emissions have been effectively eliminated. This applies to both East and West Germany, even in topographically unfavourable locations such as valleys and geological basins.
  
 <figure TotalEM> <figure TotalEM>
-{{:general:trends:iir_trend.png?direct&direct&800|All pollutants show a reduction, compared to the year 1990 for most pollutants, 1995 for particulate emissions and 2000 for Black Carbon. NH₃ emissions show a reduction of just under 20%, whereas SO₂ shows the largest reduction with -95% compared to 1990}} + 
-<caption>**Total emission trends for the most important pollutants** in percent decrease compared to a base year, set to 1995 for PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀, to 2000 for Black Carbon, and 1990 for all other pollutants.</caption>+{{:general:trends:iir_trend_2025.png?direct&direct&800|All pollutants show a reduction, compared to the year 1990 for most pollutants, 1995 for particulate emissions and 2000 for Black Carbon. NH₃ emissions show a reduction of just under 20%, whereas SO<sub>2</sub> shows the largest reduction with -95% compared to 1990}} 
 +<caption>**Total emission trends for the most important pollutants** in percent decrease compared to a base year, set to 1995 for PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>, to 2000 for Black Carbon, and 1990 for all other pollutants.</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
  
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 The framework directive and the first two daughter directives were adopted in German law through the //22nd Federal Immission Control Ordinance// (22nd BImSchV). The third daughter directive was subsequently adopted through the //33rd Federal Immission Control Ordinance// (33rd BImSchV), whilst the fourth daughter directive is currently passing through the legislative process. The limit values specified in the daughter directives are based on the work of the //World Health Organisation// (WHO) and, in general, are considerably lower than the limits specified in previous regulations. Where particle emissions are considered, new limit values for fine dust (PM₁₀) have replaced the previous limit values for total suspended particulate matter (TSP). Another new feature compared to the previous EC directives is that the first daughter directive makes it compulsory to make up-to-date information on ambient air quality and air pollution situation routinely available to the public. The framework directive and the first two daughter directives were adopted in German law through the //22nd Federal Immission Control Ordinance// (22nd BImSchV). The third daughter directive was subsequently adopted through the //33rd Federal Immission Control Ordinance// (33rd BImSchV), whilst the fourth daughter directive is currently passing through the legislative process. The limit values specified in the daughter directives are based on the work of the //World Health Organisation// (WHO) and, in general, are considerably lower than the limits specified in previous regulations. Where particle emissions are considered, new limit values for fine dust (PM₁₀) have replaced the previous limit values for total suspended particulate matter (TSP). Another new feature compared to the previous EC directives is that the first daughter directive makes it compulsory to make up-to-date information on ambient air quality and air pollution situation routinely available to the public.
  
-In addition to the air quality directives, the //European Commission// has also issued //Directive 2001/81/EC// on national emission ceilings (NEC) for certain atmospheric pollutants, restricting maximum national emission levels for the year 2010. This directive covers sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOC), and was adopted into German law through the //33rd BImschV//. In late 2016, the revised //NEC Directive EU/2016/2284// has entered into force, establishing emission reduction target for 2020 and 2030.+In addition to the air quality directives, the //European Commission// has also issued //Directive 2001/81/EC// on national emission ceilings (NEC) for certain atmospheric pollutants, restricting maximum national emission levels for the year 2010. This directive covers sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>), ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>), and volatile organic compounds (VOC), and was adopted into German law through the //33rd BImschV//. In late 2016, the revised //NEC Directive EU/2016/2284// has entered into force, establishing emission reduction target for 2020 and 2030.