CO emissions
Last update of indicator16.01.2024
Indicator definition
The indicator describes the development of CO emissions, including a comparison with the fulfilment of obligations under the international conventions.
Related policy documents and targets
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:
| Pollutant | SO2 | NOX | NMVOC | NH3 | PM2.5 |
| % of reduction | 57 | 36 | 18 | 15 | 36 |
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
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
| National reduction commitments of the Slovak Republic compared to the base year 2005 (v %) |
SO2 | NOX | NMVOC | NH3 | PM2,5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commitments valid for 2020 and subsequent years until 2029 | 57 | 36 | 18 | 15 | 36 |
| Commitments valid for 2030 and following years | 82 | 50 | 32 | 30 | 49 |
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%, NOx by 50%, NMVOC by 32%, NH3 by 30% and PM2.5 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 PM2.5 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.
Key question
What is the development of CO emissions?Key messages
CO emissions decreased significantly in the period 2005-2021, but a slight increase was recorded in the comparison between 2020 and 2021.
| Change since 1990 | Change since 2005 | Last year-on-year change | Progress in achieving of concrete defined objective |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|
 |
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| A significant downward trend was noted. | The downward trend continues, the overall development can be considered positive. | In 2021, compared to 2020, CO emissions increased slightly. | The Slovak Republic is succeeding in meeting the goals of its international obligations. |
Summary assessment
For the current fulfillment of legislative obligations, the year 2005 is important, which in terms of comparison is considered basic or reference (i.e. the decrease in emissions is compared with 2005). The nature of the pollutant emission trend starting this year is decreasing in most sectors of the economy as a result of legislative measures, the introduction of new technologies, as well as for economic reasons. However, the decline has slowed in recent years.
Detailed assessment
The evaluation of the emission situation is processed on the basis of emission inventories resulting from the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and thus according to the NFR categorization of sources (NFR - Nomenclature for Reporting).
By comparing the years 2005 – 2021, a significant decrease in emissions of basic pollutants was found. In the year-on-year comparison (2020 – 2021), there was a slight increase in emissions of all monitored pollutants, except for NH3 emissions, which decreased slightly. This positive development trend was recorded as a result of legislative and technological progress and a change in the fuel base. Changes in the structure and volume of industrial production also had an impact on the development.
CO emissions [kt/year] by sectors of their origin in 2021
| 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Energetika | 43,36 | 44,37 | 35,89 | 35,32 | 33,09 | 34,85 | 35,04 | 34,36 | 38,54 |
| Domácnosti | 229,15 | 218,36 | 173,68 | 191,22 | 188,41 | 148,86 | 158,00 | 157,76 | 174,99 |
| Doprava | 170,92 | 89,84 | 28,88 | 19,73 | 27,53 | 17,18 | 16,54 | 14,20 | 14,83 |
| Priemyselné procesy a použitie produktov | 104,34 | 94,21 | 119,92 | 121,80 | 124,19 | 111,79 | 73,46 | 70,50 | 106,10 |
| Poľnohospodárstvo | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,00 |
| Odpady | 0,01 | 0,01 | 0,01 | 0,00 | 0,00 | 0,01 | 0,01 | 0,01 | 0,01 |
| Spolu | 547,78 | 446,79 | 358,38 | 368,07 | 373,23 | 312,69 | 283,04 | 276,83 | 334,46 |
Source: SHMI
Emissions are evaluated on the basis of emission inventories resulting from CLRTAP and thus according to the NFR categorization of sources. The values may differ from the values calculated for Air Emissions Accounts (Regulation of the EP and Council (EU) No. 691/2011 of 6 July 2011 on European Environmental Economic Accounts according to Annex I - Module for Air Emissions Accounts) that were used for evaluation in previous reports.
Development of CO emissions
In 2021, 334,459 tons of CO emissions were produced. From 2005 to 2020, they decreased by 39%, but year-on-year (2020 - 2021) they significantly increased by almost 21%.
CO emissions have had a downward trend since 1990, which was mainly caused by a reduction in consumption and a change in the composition of fuel consumed by small customers. CO emissions from large sources decreased only slightly. The production of iron and steel contributes most significantly to total CO emissions, therefore the trend of CO emissions also follows the volume of production in this sector. The decrease in CO emissions since 1996 was caused by taking into account the effects of policy and measures to limit CO emissions in the most important sources, which were determined on the basis of measurement results. Changes in the trend of CO emissions from large sources between 1997 and 2002 are also related to the volume of pig iron production as well as fuel consumption. In 2003, CO emissions increased slightly, mainly at large sources (refinement of the amount of CO emissions obtained on the basis of continuous measurement at U.S. Steel, s.r.o., Košice). In 2005, the decrease in CO emissions from stationary sources was also influenced by the decrease in agglomerate production. The increase in CO emissions was recorded only in the small resources sector (household heating) and is related to the increase in wood consumption due to the increase in natural gas and coal prices. The increase in 2006 was caused by increased production of steel and pig iron. The significant year-on-year decrease in CO emissions from large sources in 2009 was mainly caused by the decrease in steel and iron production as a result of the economic recession. The decrease in emissions in the road transport sector was influenced by the ongoing renovation of the vehicle fleet with generationally new vehicles equipped with a three-way controlled catalyst. In 2010 and 2011, emissions rose due to increased iron and steel production in the U.S. operation. Steel, s.r.o., Košice. In 2012 and 2013, there was only a slight decrease in CO emissions, and in 2014 there was a slight increase. Since 2015, CO emissions have been steadily decreasing, although an increase was recorded in 2021.