Trends in NOx, SO2, NMVOC, NH3, PM2.5 emissions
Latest results of Austria’s Annual Air Emission Inventory
Air pollution knows no boundaries. Some air pollutants which have a long lifetime can be transported in the atmosphere over hundreds of kilometres and cause damage to human health and the environment far away from where they are emitted. Therefore, limits have been imposed on emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH3), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in all EU Member States.
The latest results of Austria’s Annual Air Emission Inventory show a decrease in the emissions of all these air pollutants for 2019.
Sulphur dioxide emissions (SO2) 1990 - 2019
Between 1990 and 2019, SO2 emissions (without fuel exports) fell from around 73,000 tonnes to 11,000 tonnes and were thus clearly below the legislated emission ceiling of 39,000 tonnes.
From 2018 to 2019, SO2 emissions fell by 5.9 %. Overall, SO2 emissions have been reduced by around 85.1 % since 1990, mainly due to a reduced sulphur content in mineral oil products, the installation of desulphurisation units and the shutdown of coal-fired power stations.
Nitrogen emissions (NOx) 1990 - 2019
Between 1990 and 2019, NOx emissions (without fuel exports) fell by around 34.8 %, from around 200,000 tonnes to around 131,000 tonnes. Compared to 2018, emissions decreased by around 4.0 % in 2019. The major source category for NOx emissions is the road transport sector. The downward trend is especially due to progress achieved in exhaust after-treatment for heavy duty engines.
Adjustments to NOx emission data and compliance with emission ceiling
Austria makes use of the flexibilities established by the NEC Directive and has submitted documentation for emission data adjustments to the European Commission. When including these approved NOx adjustments, the data shows that emissions have been below the national emission ceiling for NOx (103,000 tonnes) since 2014.
Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) 1990 – 2019
In 1990, NMVOC emissions stood at around 331,000 tonnes (excluding fuel exports). The data up to 2019 shows that emissions fell by 67.4 % to an estimated 108,000 tonnes, clearly below the legislated emission ceiling of 159,000 tonnes. From 2018 to 2019, emissions fell by 0.3 %. The most significant reductions since 1990 have mainly been due to fitting catalytic converters to vehicles in the transport sector and to legislative measures limiting the use and emissions of solvents.
Ammonia emissions (NH3) 1990 – 2019
Between 1990 and 2019, NH3 emissions increased by 2.9 % to an estimated 64,000 tonnes, below the legislated emission ceiling of 66,000 tonnes. Compared to 2018, Austria’s ammonia emissions fell by around 1.6 % in 2019. NH3 emissions are almost entirely caused by agricultural activities (94 %) and show only very small changes.
Fine particulate matter emissions (PM2.5) 1990 - 2019
In 2019, emissions of PM2.5 stood at around 14,000 tonnes (excluding fuel exports), a decrease of around 47.7 % since 1990. There were substantial reductions in domestic heating due to a significantly reduced use of coal, and in road transport due to improvements in engine and exhaust after-treatment technologies (e.g. particulate filters).
Between 2018 and 2019, PM2.5 emissions (without fuel exports) fell by 119 tonnes (– 0.9 %).
Outlook: new targets from 2020
The NEC Directive (2016/2284/EC) sets new emission reduction targets for the years from 2020 and from 2030 onwards, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been included for the first time. Other than the emission ceilings for the years 2010 – 2019, the commitments for the years from 2020 onwards have been set as relative targets and have the year 2005 as base year.
Austria’s national emission ceilings and reduction commitments under the NEC Directive (EU 2016/2284) and the Austrian Air Emissions Control Act 2018 (Federal Law Gazette I No 75/2018).
| Year | 2010-2019* | 2020-2029** | from 2030** |
| NOx | 103 000 t | -37% | -69% |
| SO2 | 39 000 t | -26% | -41% |
| NMVOC | 159 000 t | -21% | -36% |
| NH3 | 66 000 t | -1% | -12% |
| PM2.5 | – | -20% | -46% |
Austria’s Air Emission Inventory
The Umweltbundesamt (Environment Agency Austria), Austria’s leading environmental expert organisation, compiles Austria’s Air Emission Inventory once every year. Emissions of all air pollutants that are subject to legal regulations are calculated and documented according to international standards. The data collected in this way provides the basis for official reports to the European Union and for the development of appropriate measures in Austria and in Europe.
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