EU Agrees NOx/SOx Rules, Iran Environment Deal

The EU has adopted stricter rules on five main air pollutants, as well as signing a framework for environmental cooperation with Iran.

The framework agreement with Iran was signed by the European Commission December 14 for technical cooperation on the environment including air and water quality. Technical work will focus on three themes, none primarily gas- or energy-related. Signed in Brussels, the accord states that "this cooperation will be tightly linked to cooperation activities of technical nature on climate change and efficient use of energy sources." The full agreement can be seen here.

EU energy/climate change commissioner Miguel Arias Canete welcomed Iran's commitment to the Paris Agreement and global climate action, adding "I look forward to strengthening our cooperation to effectively tackle climate change." Both agreed to promote the role of cities in global climate action.

The agreement came as the European Parliament and EU Council of ministers signed into law a new National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive, setting stricter limits on the five main pollutants (fine particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, and ammonia). The law will enter into force on December 31 2016. EU states must transpose the Directive into national legislation by June 30 2018 and produce a National Air Pollution Control Programme by 2019 setting out how they will reduce emissions of the five main air pollutants by 2020 and 2030.

Graphic credit: European Commission

EU environment commissioner Karmenu Vella said: "The new European air quality rules are a significant landmark in the fight against this invisible killer that is air pollution. Air pollution kills over 450 000 people in Europe each year." Last month such death rates were singled out by an International Gas Union report that called for gas to replace coal and other high-polluting fuels in Europe's cities.

Mark Smedley