Sweden's reporting of transboundary air pollutants

In accordance with the Air Pollution Convention (CLRTAP) and EU’s NEC Directive (2001/81/EC) Sweden annually compiles and reports data on emissions of air pollutants. The report covers emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), carbon monoxide, particles of different sizes, organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and certain heavy metals.

Since 1990, the emissions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, sulphur oxides and ammonia have decreased, although emissions were higher in 2010 than in 2009.

Emissions increased in 2010

Nitrogen oxides

Nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions were estimated at 161,000 tonnes in 2010 compared with 153,000 tonnes in 2009. This represents a 5 percent increase. However, the emissions have declined by 40 percent compared to 1990. The largest sources of emissions of nitrogen oxides are road traffic, off-road vehicles and mobile machinery, and production of electricity and heat. International shipping is also a very significant source.

Volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) emissions were estimated at about 197,000 tonnes in 2010. The emissions did not change compared to the previous year. However, the emissions have decreased by 45 percent since 1990. The main sources are road traffic, wood burning in residential areas and products containing solvents.

Sulphur oxides

Emissions of sulphur oxides (SOX) in 2010 were estimated at about 35,000 tonnes. The emissions have increased by 16 percent compared to 2009, but decreased sharply by 67 percent since 1990 when the estimated emissions were about 105,000 tonnes. The decrease is primarily due to a transition to low-sulphur fuels, for both shipping, road traffic and heating.

Ammonia

In 2010, the estimated emissions of ammonia (NH3) were almost 52,000 tonnes, up with about 3 percent compared to 2009. Emissions have fallen by 20 percent since 1995. Agriculture, especially manure management, is the major source for emissions of ammonia, contributing to about 85 percent of total emissions in 2010.

Metals

Emissions of metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead have fallen sharply since 1990. Emissions of mercury were estimated at about 550 kg in 2010, a decrease by about 5 percent compared to 2009 and by 65 percent since 1990. About half of the mercury comes from the energy sector. Metal industries and crematoriums are also major sources of mercury emission to air.

Particles

Particulate emissions of fine particles (PM2.5) were almost 32,000 tonnes in 2010. This is an increase by 14 percent since 2009, while emissions have fallen by about 16 percent since 1990. The largest source of particulate emissions is the energy sector. Other major sources are road traffic, including road surface abrasion, and industrial processes.

More information

The methods used to compile the emissions data can be found in Sweden's Informative Inventory Report 2012. The report includes analysis of emission trends between 1990 and 2010.