Emissions of heavy metals

Convention of European Economic Commission  of the United Nations on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Geneva, 1979)
 
The Slovak Republic is a party to the Convention by the United Nations Economic Commission on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution, and it has subscribed to the commitments under the following Protocols:
 
Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-Level Ozone (1999)
 
The SR´s commitment is to reduce SO₂ emissions up to 2010 by 80%, NO₂ emissions up to 2010 by 42%, NH₃ emissions up to 2010 by 37%, and NM VOC emissions up to 2010 by 6% - compared to 1990. In 2012, a revision was made to the objectives of the Protocol to reduce emissions in 2020, compared with the base year 2005 as follows:

 
Protocol to abate acidification, eutrophication, and ground-level ozone sets the following measures for meeting the objectives as follows: 
• to develop new projections of pollutant emissions included in this Protocol by 2010,
• based on these projections prepare the analysis of the possibility of introducing quotas for individual pollutants (for SO₂ the emission quotas are already established),
• to implement Directive 94/63 EC, 1999/13/EC on volatile organic compounds and Directive 2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants from large combustion plants.
 

National reduction commitments

National emission reduction commitments for individual Member States are set out in Annex II of the NEC Directive. They are expressed as a percentage reduction in emissions of the monitored pollutants compared to the base year 2005. Emission reduction commitments are set in two phases: (a) commitments in force for 2020 and subsequent years up to 2029 (by the commitments set out in the Appendix to the Protocol on the Reduction of Acidification, Eutrophication, and Ground-Level Ozone to the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Appendix to the Gothenburg Protocol)) a (b) more stringent commitments in force since 2030 and beyond. Emission reduction commitments established for the Slovak Republic are shown in Table 1. National emission reduction commitments under the NEC Directive for the Slovak Republic National reduction commitments of the Slovak Republic compared to the base year 2005

National obligations to reduce emissions according to the NEC directive for the Slovak Republic

Protocol on Heavy Metals to the UNECE Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (1998)
sets goals to reduce emissions of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) to the emission level of 1990. The Slovak Republic signed this Protocol in the same year, when it was also signed.

European Green Deal (2019)
It is necessary to review policies in the area of clean energy supply for the entire economy, as well as in the areas of industry, production and consumption, general infrastructure, transport, food and agriculture, construction, taxation, and social benefits. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to increase the perceived value of protecting and restoring natural ecosystems, sustainable use of resources, and human health. This is where transformative change is most needed and potentially most beneficial for the EU's economy, society, and environment.

2.1.3. Mobilization of industry in the interest of a clean and circular economy
The Commission will draw on the experience it has gained in evaluating current air quality legislation. In addition, it will propose strengthening provisions on air quality monitoring, modeling, and plans to help local authorities achieve cleaner air. In particular, the Commission will propose a revision of air quality standards to better align them with the recommendations of the World Health Organization

2.1.5. Accelerating the transition to sustainable and intelligent mobility
Traffic pollution should be radically reduced, especially in cities. The issue of emissions and congestion in cities, as well as the improvement of public transport, should be solved by a combination of several measures. In the case of vehicles with a combustion engine, the Commission will propose stricter standards for emissions of air pollutants

2.1.8. The ambition of zero pollution for a non-toxic environment
The Commission will draw on the experience it has gained in evaluating current air quality legislation. In addition, it will propose strengthening provisions on air quality monitoring, modeling, and plans to help local authorities achieve cleaner air. In particular, the Commission will propose a revision of air quality standards to better align them with the recommendations of the World Health Organization

Greener Slovakia – Environmental Policy Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 (Envirostrategy 2030) (2019)
The environmental strategy is a basic strategic document for the environment with long-term goals aimed at the transition to a green, low-carbon, and inclusive economy. The Envirostrategy 2030 defines the vision until 2030 (to achieve a better quality of the environment and a sustainable circular economy using as few non-renewable natural resources and hazardous substances as possible), identifies basic systemic problems, sets goals for 2030, and proposes framework measures to improve the current situation.

Clean Air Goals:

•      Air quality in 2030 will be significantly better and will not have a significantly adverse effect on human health and the environment. This will be achieved by reducing the amount of emissions compared to 2005 - SO₂ by 82%, NO_x by 50%, NMVOC by 32%, NH₃ by 30% and PM_2.5 by 49%
•      Promote more efficient combustion devices and heating systems
•      Gradually reduce the production of electricity from coal
•      Increase the share of low-emission transport

National emission reduction program of the Slovak Republic (2020)
Among the biggest environmental challenges of the Slovak Republic are also the goals based on Directive (EU) 2016/2284 on the reduction of national emissions of certain air pollutants, which amends Directive 2003/35/EC and repeals Directive 2001/81/EC.
These are commitments to reduce emissions of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and PM_2.5 dust particles by 2030. To achieve these goals, the MoE of the Slovak Republic has currently developed a draft of the National Emissions Reduction Program, in which policies and measures for achieving the aforementioned national commitments in two stages: the period from 2020 to 2029 and the period from 2030 onwards.
The National Emissions Reduction Program contributes to the achievement of air quality targets under Directive 2008/50/EC, as well as ensuring compliance with plans and programs set out in other relevant policy areas, including climate, energy, agriculture, industry and transport. At the same time, this will support the transfer of investments into clean and efficient technologies.