Abstract
BackgroundIn Europe, ammonia (NH3) emissions strongly contribute to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution and associated premature human mortality. The National Emission Ceilings Directive 2016/2284/EU has set an obligation for all European Union countries to reduce the NH3 emissions by 6%, relative to 2005, by 2020. This study aims to assess the costs and benefits of four NH3 emission abatement options for the compliance of the agricultural sector with the commitments of the European air quality regulatory framework. A regional atmospheric model (WRF/Chem) was used to assess the effects of regulating NH3 emissions reductions on PM2.5 concentrations over Europe. Non-market valuation techniques (value of statistical life) were used to monetize the associated health outcomes.ResultsWe calculated that 16 out of the 28 EU member states exceeded their 2020 NH3 emission ceilings in 2016. The highest exceedances from the 2020 emission commitment level occurred in Latvia (15%), Germany (12%) and the UK (12%). Simulation of the required NH3 emission reduction by WRF/Chem showed that relatively large reductions in PM2.5 concentrations occur over central-western Europe and the UK. The largest health benefits (> 5% reduction in premature mortality) were found for Scandinavia. The economic benefit from avoided premature deaths over Europe amounts to 14,837 M€/year. The costs of four NH3 emission abatement options, where each would fully achieve the required emission reduction, range from 80 M€/year for low nitrogen feed to 3738 M€/year for low-emission animal housing, with covered manure storage (236 M€/year) and urea fertilizer application (253 M€/year), in between.ConclusionOur analysis indicates that the costs of compliance by the agricultural sector with the commitments of the European air quality regulations are much lower than the economic benefit. Thus, much more ambitious reduction commitments for NH3 emissions could be applied by the EU-28. The monetization of the health benefits of NH3 emission abatement policies and the assessment of the implementation costs can help policy-makers devise effective air pollution control programmes.
Highlights
In Europe, ammonia (NH3) emissions strongly contribute to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution and associated premature human mortality
National ammonia emission reduction commitments by 2020 The National Emission Ceilings Directive 2016/2284/EU has set an obligation for all EU countries to reduce the NH3 emissions by 6%, relative to 2005, by 2020
Our analysis indicates that meeting the requirements of national emission reduction commitments applicable from 2020 to 2029 set out in the Directive 2016/2284/EU can generate large health and economic benefits for the EU countries implementing the measures, and for the wider region
Summary
In Europe, ammonia (NH3) emissions strongly contribute to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution and associated premature human mortality. A regional atmospheric model (WRF/Chem) was used to assess the effects of regulating NH3 emissions reductions on PM2.5 concentrations over Europe. Giannakis et al [31] modelled the effect of a 20% increase in the output of Giannakis et al Environ Sci Eur (2019) 31:93 the EU-28 agricultural sector on air pollution in Europe. Their findings indicate a large increase of PM2.5 concentrations, the highest of which would occur over the northern Balkan countries (Bulgaria and Romania) and northern Italy. Pozzer et al [56] found that a 50% decrease of NH3 emissions could reduce the annual, geographical average near-surface PM2.5 concentrations by about 11% across Europe, while with maximum emission controls up to 35% reduction would be possible
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