NEC Directive status report 2014 : reporting by Member States under Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants

This report describes the most recent emission inventory information provided by the Member States of the European Union (EU) at the end of 2014, under Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants (commonly known as the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD)) (EU, 2001). The NECD requires all 28 EU Member States to report information annually on emissions of four significant air pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOX), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3). These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, contribute to the acidification of soil and surface water, cause eutrophication in sensitive habitats and damage vegetation through exposure to tropospheric ozone resulting from these emissions. To help protect human health and the environment, the NECD sets pollutant-specific and legally binding emission ceilings for each of these substances and for each country. The ceilings were to be met by 2010 as well as in future years.