Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 30 April 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 May 2008. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Monday, 12 May 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Nitrogen Oxides

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK meets its targets for the reduction of nitrogen oxides by 2010 under the EU national emissions ceiling directive and the UN Gothenburg protocol.

Answer: The UK reported in December 2007 for the first time that the 2010 national emission ceiling for nitrogen oxides (NOx) was likely to be exceeded by some 10 per cent. Though there remain considerable uncertainties with the projections, the increase is a consequence of changes in projections of emissions from energy production, and an improved methodology for predicting emissions from non-road transport mobile sources and machinery. We have commissioned a study to examine options for improving the prospects of achieving compliance, which will be finalised early in May 2008.

Secondary information