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CEROI home page
Indicators encyclopedia
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City Environmental Indicators Encyclopedia
Emissions NOx, NMVOC, CO and CH4
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Rationale - what it means and why it is an important measure
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Photochemical oxidants, especially ozone, are among the most important trace gases in the atmosphere with respect to their physical and chemical functions. Their distributions show signs of change due to increasing emissions of ozone precursors (NOx, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane and CO). These gases have adverse effects on human health and ecosystems (crops, forest, other vegetation). Emissions of NMVOC occur from incomplete combustion and fugitive non-combustion sources such as petroleum transportation and storage, the use of solvents (industry, households), paints and glues, and from printing and manufacturing processes. Significant emissions also arise from road transport combustion and petrol evaporation.
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How it is compiled, what data are needed
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Emissions of NOx, NMVOC, CO, and CH4. This indicator should be measured annually.
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Measurements and units
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Annually emissions of CH4 (tones per year)
Annually emissions of CO (tones per year)
Annually emissions of NMVOC (tones per year)
Annually emissions of NOx (tones per year)
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Possible temporal and spatial format
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trend charts, maps
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Reference to methodology resources
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EEA, 1999. Environment in the European Union at the Turn of the Century. Copenhagen.
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Objective
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To reduce emissions of the substances.
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Targets, benchmarks, reference values
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The NMVOC Protocol in 1991 (UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution) requires a NMVOC emission reduction of 30 % from 1988 levels in 1999. For Europe: The EU Fifth Environmental Action Programme (5EAP) requires a similar 30 % reduction for the EU and the individual Member States, but from 1990 levels (European Union: European Council Directive 92/72/EEC).
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References to examples of application
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Tropospheric ozone: http://themes.eea.eu.int/toc.php/issues/air_quality?doc=39094&l=en.
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Other comments / background
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