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Last changed: 19/04/12
Air pollution by particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide remained too high in Germany once again last year. These are the results of preliminary measurement data from the Länder and the Federal Environment Agency. Although low-emission zones have been effective the limits on pollutants are all too often exceeded in many urban areas. Motor vehicles actually produce only some 40 per cent of urban particulate matter pollution. The remainder originates from power plants and heating systems.
The levels of particulate matter pollution in Germany’s inner cities continue to remain too high. Each year there are quite a number of measuring stations at which the ceiling of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre of air is exceeded on more than the allowable 35 days a year. UBA recommends concrete action to effectively reduce particulate matter pollution – based on comprehensive findings about development.
Human activities not only increase atmospheric concentrations of the familiar greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), they also cause the release of other greenhouse gases. For some years now, measurement data from the Federal Environment Agency’s air monitoring stations show an accelerated rise in sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) levels in the atmosphere, and a current publication also shows such rise for nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). One tonne of these gases has a global warming potential 10,000-fold that of a tonne of CO2.
Gaseous ammonia harms ecosystems and is mainly generated from agricultural sources. A study commissioned to KTBL e.V. by UBA demonstrates that mitigation of agricultural emissions is feasible and may even lead to cost savings for farmers. For example, a protein-adjusted diet for fattening pigs reduces both nitrogen excretion and feed costs. The study presents a number of relevant measures, offers a cost-benefit analysis and thus provides policymakers and practitioners with useful input.
On 1 January 2012 the cities of Heidenheim and Urbach introduced new low-emission zones, allowing only vehicles bearing a yellow or green adhesive sticker into their centres. The low-emission zone of Pleidelsheim spans the region of Pleidelsheim, Ingersheim, and Freiberg. Many cities in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria have restricted vehicle access into their low-emission zones and are no longer accepting red sticker vehicles. The green sticker is the only vehicle allowed in Frankfurt/Main, Osnabrück and Stuttgart. Munich will follow suit on 1 October 2012. The new Ruhr District low-emission zone combines new and existing low-emission zones (Bochum, Bottrop, Castrop-Rauxel, Dortmund, Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Gladbeck, Herne, Herten, Mülheim, Oberhausen and Recklinghausen). A low-emission zone was also introduced in Hagen the beginning of the year.
Nitrogen emissions from agriculture, transport, energy generation and industry threaten biodiversity, contaminate water bodies, and increase concentrations of greenhouse gases and fine particulate matter in air. The UBA has developed an integrated strategy for reduction of nitrogen emissions, which points out synergies in reaching various environmental targets. Measures in agriculture show a high reduction potential with high cost effectiveness.