Finland's national Air Pollution Control Programme 2010
In 2002, the Finnish Government approved a national programme designed to curb emissions of certain pollutants according to the requirements of the EU’s National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC). Emissions will be cut progressively to achieve the targets set in the directive by 2010.
Targets
The National Emission Ceilings Directive obliges EU member countries to cut emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with the exception of methane, to certain limits, which must not be exceeded after 2010.
These substances can be transported for long distances in the atmosphere, and they may result in acidification, the formation of ozone near ground level, eutrophication or the formation of secondary aerosol particles. Where these forms of pollution are concerned, the locations of emission sources and geographical connections with the affected sensitive areas or human populations are highly significant – in contrast with the global nature of the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions.
Planned emission cuts
The Air Pollution Control Programme 2010 contains measures to reduce emissions from energy production, traffic, agriculture and industry, and also sets out ways to curb emissions from machinery, leisure boats and the small-scale combustion of wood.
Estimates of the emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and VOCs in Finland in 2010, and information about the measures planned to curb them were all compiled during summer 2002 by a working group set up by the Ministry of the Environment, also containing representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The working group also assessed information on models and scenarios prepared by experts from the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT).
The first annual report on the emissions covered by the directive was submitted to the European Commission in December 2002, together with the Air Pollution Control Programme 2010.
Monitoring the implementation of the programme
The Ministry of the Environment and other stakeholders are closely monitoring the implementation of the Air Pollution Control Programme 2010.
For more information
Mr Seppo Sarkkinen, Counsellor, Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Protection Dept., e-mail: firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi
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