Gothenburg Protocol

Latest calculations showed that critical loads of nutrient nitrogen will be exceeded in 35% of the ecosystem area in 2010 even after implementation of the Gothenburg Protocol (Table 1). 

A revised NEC Directive, which includes emission ceilings for PM2.5, is of utmost importance in order to prepare the path for emission reductions up to 2020 and to achieve various environmental objectives. It will also contribute to attaining the PM10 and N02 limit values. It will furthermore be an important input for the foreseen revision of the Gothenburg Protocol, designed to also reduce transboundary pollution from countries outside the EU. Therefore a proposal for a revised NEC Directive should be published as soon as possible. The emission ceilings included therein should be ambitious so as to facilitate the attainment of air quality limit values. 

Figure 9 Measured (open circles) and MAGIC 7 modeled (lines) trends in the Cerne Lake, Bohemian Forest, Czech Republic. The model was calibrated on long-term (up to 70 yr) data. The best agreement was attached with a three-times higher SO4 adsorption capacity than determined experimentally, and slightly decreasing N retention during the acidic deposition peak. The forecast is based on the 2000 deposition value (thin line) and the projected decreased S and N emission/deposition rate in central Europe according to Gothenburg Protocol (UN-ECE, 1999 (thick line))...

UN-ECE. (1999) The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone. http //www.unece.org/env/lrtap. 

The CLTRAP addresses emissions of pollutant gases to the atmosphere (mainly sulphur and nitrogen), and seeks to reduce emissions such that adverse effects on ecosystems can be prevented or remedied. Work within the CLTRAP is now attempting to incorporate future climate changes and their effects, and a possible revision of the Gothenburg protocol may take climate change into account. 

Keywords chemical air pollution policy European institutions, EU Air Quality Framework Directive, Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution Convention (CLRTAP), UNECE, 1999 Gothenburg Protocol, NEC Directive, linkages, interplay. 

The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol led to the establishment of new European Union legislation, Directive 2001/81/EC on National Emissions Ceilings for Certain Pollutants. The Directive set upper limits for each member state for the total emissions of SO2, NO, , VOCs, and ammonia, four pollutants responsible for acidification, eutrophication, and ground-level ozone pollution. Member states are allowed to determine which measures they will take to comply with the directive, but are required to report annually on their national emission inventories and projects for 2010. ... 

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