National Emission reduction Commitments Directive

The National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive) outlines obligations to reduce national emissions of the five main air pollutants (PM2.5, NOx, NMVOCs, NH3 and SO2). The current reduction obligations apply from 2020 to 2029, while stricter obligations will apply from 2030 onwards.

The directive transposes the reduction commitments for 2020 agreed by the EU and its Member States under the  Gothenburg Protocol under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution Convention (Air Convention). The more ambitious reduction commitments agreed for 2030 are designed to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by half compared with 2005.

Further, the Directive requires that the Member States draw up National Air Pollution Control Programmes that should contribute to the successful implementation of air quality plans established under the EU’s Air Quality Directive.

Page content:

• Reporting air pollutant emission inventories by Member States
• National emission reduction commitments
• Policies and measures to tackle air pollution
• Flexibilities
• Links to air pollution data