Multi-effect Protocol

Guidance documents adopted together with the Protocol provide a range of abatement techniques and economic instruments for the reduction of emissions.

Emission limits for new stationary sources should be enforced within one year after the date of entry into force of the Protocol for the party in question.

Progress towards reducing sulphur emissions was greater than the Protocol commitments due to a widespread European shift from coal to natural gas as an industrial fuel in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Protocol required only modest ammonia emission reductions and therefore in most parts of Europe, excess nitrogen deposition will be reduced only by a small percentage.

However, for large parts of Europe, human exposure to particulate matter and ozone will remain higher than recommended by the World Health Organization.

[14] Because of the great potential for low-cost emission reduction measures in this region, increased related policy efforts are underway for countries such as Russia and Ukraine.

Abatement of emissions from shipping and ambitious climate policy measures, offers possibilities to reduce air pollution in EU countries at relatively low costs.

Additional concerns include the negative effects from the combustion of biomass and biodiesel on air quality/[13] In December 2007, efforts began to revise the Gothenburg Protocol.