Legislative and policy framework
The main legislative instrument to achieve the 2030 objectives of the Clean Air Programme for Europe is Directive 2016/2284 ; which entered into force on 31st December 2016. This Directive sets national reduction commitments for five pollutants:
1. sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) 2. nitrogen oxides (NO X ) 3. ammonia (NH 3 )
4. volatile organic compounds (VOC) 5. Particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ). The aim of this Directive is to set more ambitious emission reduction commitments so as to cut the health impacts of air pollution by half by 2030. 2.5 National Air Quality Guidance The enforcement of clean air legislation is conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local authorities. The EPA regulates industrial emissions under a range of EU directives including the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) which specifies maximum emission levels for a wide range of industry sectors and specific sources. In addition, the EPA licences waste facilities which are a significant source of public complaint, particularly regarding odours, which is the source of more complaints than any other environmental issue. Local authorities are primarily responsible for the enforcement of legislation on solid fuel and they are assisted by an active national implementation group. The role of local authorities in preventing and combating air pollution includes:
» Monitoring of emissions to the ambient air in the area » Assessing compliance with the relevant legislation » Dealing with complaints with regard to air pollution » Licensing certain categories of industry » Enforcing the ban on the marketing, distribution, sale and burning of certain fuel (usually bituminous (smoky) coal)
» Organising and conducting research into the causes, extent and prevention of air pollution » Establishing and running educational programmes about pollution and its prevention » Supporting or assisting anyone engaged in any research, survey or investigation into the nature and extent, the cause and effect and the prevention or limitation of air pollution. The EPA reviews the performance of local authorities in relation to the enforcement of environmental legislation. 2.6 Smoky Coal The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. The ban proved effective in reducing smoke and sulphur dioxide levels and was then extended to other areas. Research indicates that the ban in Dublin resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. An estimate of these benefits in monetary terms put the value at over €20m. Additional benefits of the regulations include many householders switching from solid fuels, which generally are less efficient and more polluting, to more efficient and less polluting gas or oil. The associated reduced fuel costs to consumers are estimated at €184m per year. Cork City followed with a ban in 1995 (see Figure 2.1).
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