1.8 | National Air Pollution

1.8 | National Air Pollution Control Programme

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of premature death in Europe. Besides health impacts, air pollution can cause significant adverse environmental impacts, including the degradation of biodiversity and water quality. To address these health and environmental challenges the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is in the process of developing a National Clean Air Strategy.

Ireland is required to produce a National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) every four years, under the EU National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NECD). The NECD establishes emission ceilings for 2020 and 2030 for five specified pollutants.

In the transport sector, emissions arise mostly from road transport, which is responsible for nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter and black carbon pollution arising from increased numbers of diesel cars and buses in our cities and towns. The Urban Environmental Indicators report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2019 reveals the extent of nitrogen dioxide pollution across Dublin City resulting from heavy traffic levels.

The first NAPCP for Ireland was prepared and submitted to the European Commission in 2019. The NAPCP demonstrates the pathway Ireland will follow to achieve compliance with the NECD 2020 and 2030 targets and presents an overview of current and projected 2030 emissions levels for each of the five pollutants.

The transport sector is a significant contributor to air pollution in Ireland. It is the primary source of nitrogen oxide emissions, with passenger cars and heavy goods vehicles the most significant emitters.

The consultation document prepared as part of the development of the Clean Air Strategy makes

National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland | Project Ireland 2040

several suggestions for how these emissions could be reduced, including the transition away from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, increased travel by sustainable modes, the deployment of low emissions zones, and the introduction of congestion charging.

Development Goals. NIFTI will ensure that this alignment is extended to the transport sector when undertaking future investment.