Last updated on 11 Feb 2020 14:19 (cf. Authors)
Obligations
Germany has made a commitment under the Gothenburg Protocol to reduce ammonia emissions. Since 2010, it is no longer permissible to exceed a National Emission Ceiling of 550kt NH3 for Germany as whole. The revised Gothenburg Protocol and the revised NEC Directive both define emission reduction targets relative to a 2005 base year, mandating 5% (2020) and 29% (2030) reductions respectively.
Further details can be found in Chapter 9 - Projections and Chapter 11 - Adjustments and Emission Ceiling Exceedance.
Main drivers
The Main Drivers for NH3 emissions are agricultural emissions from Manure Management (NFR 4.B) with 43% of total 1990 emissions and a 18% reduction between 1990-2018 and Agricultural Soils (NFR 4.D) with even 53% of total 1990 emissions and a 16% decrease between 1990-2018. The overall emission trend mainly follows the agricultural emissions closely with a total reduction of 16% between 1990 and 2018. The decrease of NH3 emission in the year 1991 is due to a reduced livestock population that followed after the German reunification, while no explicit trend is discernible for the years since then.