by ClickGreen staff. Published Fri 11 Sep 2015 10:18, Last updated: 2015-09-11

A new report published today shows Scottish emissions of most air pollutants have continued to fall, with significant reductions in emissions of all air pollutants since 1990.

The announcement of the official figures was welcomed by Environment Minister Aileen McLeod who said an updated action plan to tackle nitrogen dioxide would soon be published.

Dr McLeod said: “Air pollution is harmful to human health and can contribute to climate change, and I very much welcome the significant progress that has been made reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides and other air pollutants in Scotland.

“However, more needs to be done. The Scottish Government is already working closely with local authorities and other partners to improve air quality and the lives and well-being of communities and individuals across the country.

“Local authorities with air quality issues in their areas have in place local action plans to improve the situation which can include measures such as promoting of walking and cycling, for example, or greater use of cleaner vehicles. And the forthcoming national Low Emission Strategy – which we consulted on earlier this year - will ensure greater consistency in approach across Scotland.

“We will also shortly be holding another consultation on updated action plans for ensuring compliance with EU nitrogen dioxide targets.”

The main findings of today’s report released by Scotland’s Chief Statistician include:

* Over the long term there have been reductions in emissions for all the pollutants. Since 1990, there have been decreases of 28 per cent for ammonia, 53 per cent for PM10, 66 per cent for NMVOCs, 67 per cent for nitrogen oxides, 81 per cent for carbon monoxide, 87 per cent for sulphur dioxide and 99 per cent for lead.

In 2013:

* Ammonia – Scottish emissions accounted for 12 per cent of UK emissions. The main source of Scottish emissions was agriculture responsible for 87 per cent of emissions.

* PM10 – Scottish emissions accounted for 11 per cent of UK emissions. Thirty five per cent of Scottish emissions came from commercial, domestic and agricultural combustion, 21 per cent from agriculture and 16 per cent from transport sources.

* Nitrogen oxides – Scottish emissions accounted for 9 per cent of UK emissions. Transport sources accounted for 38 per cent of Scottish emissions, energy industries 35 per cent and industrial combustion 13 per cent.

* NMVOCs – Scottish emissions accounted for 17 per cent of UK emissions. Industrial processes (mainly breweries and distilleries) accounted for 47 per cent of Scottish emissions, solvents and other product use 20 per cent and fugitive emissions from fuels 15 per cent.

* Sulphur dioxide – Scottish emissions accounted for 10 per cent of UK emissions. Seventy nine per cent of Scottish emissions came from power generation, 8 per cent from industrial combustion and 7 per cent from commercial, domestic and agricultural combustion.

* Carbon monoxide – Scottish emissions accounted for 8 per cent of UK emissions. Commercial, domestic and agricultural combustion accounted for 38 per cent of Scottish emissions, transport 30 per cent and 23 per cent came from industrial combustion.

* Lead – Scottish emissions accounted for 4 per cent of UK emissions. Industrial combustion accounted for 31 per cent of Scottish emissions, commercial, domestic and agricultural 28 per cent and energy industries 21 per cent.

The 1990-2013 figures in this Statistics Release are from the NAEI report “Air Quality Pollutant Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990 – 2013”, produced by Aether and Ricardo-AEA for the Scottish Government, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Department of Environment.

Emissions from the offshore oil and gas exploration sector are not attributed to a specific country but are reported within an “unallocated” category.

There are uncertainties associated with all estimates of pollutant emissions. The uncertainty rating are “high” for ammonia, carbon monoxide and PM10, “moderate” for NMVOCs and lead and “low” for nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. However, although for any given year considerable uncertainties may surround the emission estimates, it should be noted that trends over time are likely to be more reliable.

http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/news/national-news/126455-scotland-reports-drop-in-air-pollution-as-emissions-fall.html