Recent decreases in observed atmospheric concentrations of SO2 in the Netherlands in line with emission reductions

Concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) have been decreasing in the Netherlands since the beginning of the 1980s, as a result of national and international emission control measures. Since 2007, concentrations observed at the Rotterdam port and industrial areas have shown a large decrease that is in line with recent emission control measures. The average annual SO2 concentration in 2010 was about 50% below 2000–2006 levels. This drop in concentration level corresponds with recent decreases in emissions of SO2 from Dutch refineries and international sea shipping, on top of the gradual decreases in emissions from sources outside the Netherlands. The reduction in the emissions from refineries was initiated by a ceiling on the total amount of emissions from this sector, effective since 2010. Emission reductions from sea shipping result from two types of regulations to reduce the sulphur content in marine fuel, by 2010; regulation by the International Maritime Organization for sea ships on the North Sea, and by the EU directive for ships at berth in ports.