Air pollution - National responses

What are the policy responses?

Due to exceedances of air quality limit values, especially of PM10 and NO2 in recent years, abatement measures have been introduced at local, regional and national levels. These measures can be regarded as additional measures on top of activities that have been in place for many years. The majority of measures address traffic, residential heating and industry and aim at compliance with the limit values after the extended deadline according to Directive 2008/50/EC.

A few examples for measures taken are:

  • Sectoral ban of specific goods transport by lorries at the Inntal highway A12
  • Dynamic speed limits for passenger cars at highways dependent on pollutant levels
  • Subsidies for retrofitting of diesel particle filters for passenger cars and construction machinery
  • Transport of construction material via rail
  • Extension of tramway and regional railway lines
  • Subsidies of up to 100% for exchange of old heating systems
  • BAT (best available techniques) requirement for installations
  • Measures to reduce heating demand in the building sector by linking subsidies to certain energetic performances

For PM10, the Commission raised no objections against a time extension until 20 June 2011 to comply with the PM10 limit value for several zones in Austria, acknowledging inter alia that some zones are severely affected by transboundary air pollution and that measures have been implemented. Nevertheless, additional measures are planned, and a revision of the Austrian Air Quality Act is due in mid 2010.

 

Additional measures will be needed to attain the national emission ceiling for NOx. The most significant source of NOx in Austria is diesel vehicles. EU legislation for mobile sources (EURO Standards) has failed to deliver significant reductions in NOx emissions for diesel vehicles. Therefore, national measures to increase efficiency of road traffic are currently being discussed, including efforts to boost mobility with electric traction and an increase in fuel taxation.

 

In the industrial sector, there are, for example, pilot projects to install selective catalytic converters (SCR) in the cement industry. In addition, far-reaching emission reduction technologies have been installed in Austria’s main crude oil refinery.

 

In the residential sector, it is planned, for example, to enhance efforts to increase the thermal insulation of existing buildings. This will lower the specific energy demand for heating and cooling. In addition, the use of district heating is also promoted.

 

Links to air quality plans and strategies set by the responsible authorities

Links & References

Infobox

Contact

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