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Emissions of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides from Large Combustion Plants 10: 1996-2007
Annual LCP emissions (thousand tonnes)
Annual emissions (thousand tonnes) |
Source | SO 2 | NO X |
|---|
1996 | 2000 | 2007 11 | 1996 | 2000 | 2007 11 |
|---|
Electricity supply | 99.1 | 93.2 | 45.9 | 44.7 | 42.6 | 36.9 |
|---|
Refinery | 11.3 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
|---|
Other industry | 3.8 | 2.3 | 0.04 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 0.6 |
|---|
Sulphur dioxide (SO 2) and oxides of nitrogen (NO X) affect human health through respiratory damage, and ecosystem health through acidification. SO 2 and NO X are released into the atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels. In 2006, large combustion plants ( LCPs) accounted for 54% of the SO 2 emissions and 24% of NO X emissions in the UK. 3
The Large Combustion Plants Directive (since revised by 2001/80/ EC) called for a 60% reduction in SO 2 emissions by 2003 and a 30% reduction in NO X emissions by 1998, from a 1980 baseline. By 2002, UK emissions for SO 2 and NO X were 78% and 64% respectively below 1980 levels. 3 In Scotland, SO 2 emissions from the electricity supply industry fell between 1996 and 1999, but rose in 2000. This was due to the increased use of coal-fired power stations, necessary to offset the reduced capacity of the nuclear sector because of refurbishment work at certain plants.
In 2007 emissions of SO 2 and NO X decreased by 24% and 21% respectively since 2006. This fall in emissions followed a large rise the previous year which was due mainly to increased emissions from the electricity supply sector, and specifically to the increased use of coal.
Source: Scottish Environment Protection Agency
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