Effects of changes in the UK energy-demand and environmental legislation on atmospheric pollution by oxides of nitrogen and black smoke

It has been demonstrated that the combustion of fossil fuels accounts for 9 5% of oxides of nitrogen and 90% of black-smoke emissions to the atmosphere over the 1970-1994 period. The study has shown that the overall NOx emissi ons, over this period, have decreased by a modest 5%. Only the transport se ctor is seen to have increased its emission of NOx. In contrast, black-smok e emissions are shown to have plummeted by 60% over this period. The overwh elming reason for this has been the decline in the demand for coal in the d omestic sector. By 1994, over 50% of NOx and black smoke was generated by r oad traffic. Petrol has been the major generator of NOx and diesel the main producer of black smoke. Three pieces of legislation were brought into for ce to limit the emissions from power-generating plant and petrol-driven roa d traffic. It has been shown that significant reductions in NOx emissions c ould be achieved in the power-generating sector by the increased use of CCG T and by adopting new energy technology. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.