The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol to Abate Acidification Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone

The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol to Abate Acidification Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone

Subject – Environment

Context – Rising ammonia levels in West Africa linked to biomass burning

Concept –

• The Protocol sets national emission ceilings for 2010 up to 2020 for four pollutants: sulphur (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia (NH3).
• This protocol is also known as Muti-effect protocol.
• These ceilings were negotiated on the basis of scientific assessments of pollution effects and abatement options.
• Parties whose emissions have a more severe environmental or health impact and whose emissions are relatively cheap to reduce will have to make the biggest cuts.
• Currently, the protocol is under negotiation for a revised protocol.