Effects of changes in the UK energy-demand and environmental legislation on atmospheric pollution by oxides of nitrogen and black smoke

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that the combustion of fossil fuels accounts for 95% of oxides of nitrogen and 90% of black-smoke emissions to the atmosphere over the 1970–1994 period. The study has shown that the overall NO x emissions, over this period, have decreased by a modest 5%. Only the transport sector is seen to have increased its emission of NO x . In contrast, black-smoke emissions are shown to have plummeted by 60% over this period. The overwhelming reason for this has been the decline in the demand for coal in the domestic sector. By 1994, over 50% of NO x and black smoke was generated by road traffic. Petrol has been the major generator of NO x and diesel the main producer of black smoke. Three pieces of legislation were brought into force to limit the emissions from power-generating plant and petrol-driven road traffic. It has been shown that significant reductions in NO x emissions could be achieved in the power-generating sector by the increased use of CCGT and by adopting new energy technology.