Information from international Conventions and Coalitions
Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP)
https://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/welcome.html
The Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution has developed a series of guidance documents associated to its different Protocols.
Guidance document on control techniques for emissions of sulphur, NOx, VOC, and particulate matter (including PM10, PM2.5 and black carbon) from stationary sources
https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/documents/2012/EB/ECE.EB.AIR.117_AV.pdf
This guidance document provides options and techniques, along with their performance assessment for emission prevention and reduction of Sulphur, NOx, VOC and particulate matter (including PM10, PM2.5 and Black Carbon). The aim of this document is to provide the Parties to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution with guidance on identifying best abatement options, with particular reference to best available techniques (BAT) to enable them to meet the obligations of the Protocol to abate Acidification, Eutrophication, Ground Level Ozone and particulate matter (including PM10, PM2.5 and Black Carbon).
Guidance document on best available techniques for controlling emissions of heavy metals and their compounds from the source categories listed in annex II
This guidance document addresses the control options for the heavy metals cadmium, lead and mercury. It aims to provide guidance on identifying best available techniques for stationary sources to enable Parties to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to reduce their emissions in order to meet their obligations under the Protocol on Heavy Metals. The main emission sources, their specific control techniques and reduction efficiencies as well as the related costs, are specified by sector where available.
Guidance document on best available techniques to control emissions of persistent organic pollutants from major stationary sources
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to the Parties to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution in identifying control options and best available techniques for reducing emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from major stationary sources with a view to implementing the obligations of the Protocol on POPs. The document describes control techniques for reducing emissions of dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) as well as of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from major stationary sources. The techniques described may also be used for reducing other POPs.
Guidance documents and other methodological materials for the implementation of the Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone (Gothenburg Protocol)
Guidance documents and other methodological materials for the implementation of the Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals.
Guidance documents and other methodological materials for the implementation of the Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Minamata Convention on mercury
http://www.mercuryconvention.org/
Materials developed by the Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in support for the ratification and effective implementation of the Convention
http://www.mercuryconvention.org/AwarenessRaising/Resourcematerials/tabid/5137/Defa ult.aspx
Publications:
http://www.mercuryconvention.org/Publications/tabid/3429/Default.aspx
Guidances::
The intergovernmental negotiating committee has considered a number of forms and guidance documents required for the effective implementation of the Convention, and has adopted a number of relevant documents on a provisional basis pending formal adoption by the Conference of the Parties.
A series of Guidances on best available techniques and best environmental practices in relation to emissions of mercury from point sources falling within the source categories listed in Annex D of the Convention are provided such as:
- BAT/BEP- - Common Techniques
- BAT/BEP- - Coal-fired power plants and coal-fired industrial boilers
- BAT/BEP- - Smelting and roasting processes used in the production of non-ferrous metals (lead, zinc, copper and industrial gold)
- BAT/BEP- - Waste incineration facilities
- BAT/BEP- - Cement clinker production facilities
- BAT/BEP- - New and emerging techniques
- Support for parties in implementing the measures for existing sources of mercury emissions
- Guidance on the methodology for preparing inventories of emissions
- BAT/BEP- - Common Techniques
- BAT/BEP- - Coal-fired power plants and coal-fired industrial boilers
- BAT/BEP- - Smelting and roasting processes used in the production of non-ferrous metals (lead, zinc, copper and industrial gold)
- BAT/BEP- - Waste incineration facilities
- BAT/BEP- - Cement clinker production facilities
- BAT/BEP- - New and emerging techniques
- Support for parties in implementing the measures for existing sources of mercury emissions
- Guidance on the methodology for preparing inventories of emissions
Stockholm convention on POP
http://chm.pops.int/Home/tabid/2121/Default.aspx
Brochure and leaflets are available.
http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/Publications/BrochuresandLeaflets/tabid/3013/Default.aspx Guidance and publications Various guidance documents have been developed to help Parties fulfil their obligations under the Convention.
Climate and Clean Air Coalition
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition is a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions and civil society organizations committed to improving air quality and protecting the climate through actions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants.
The Coalition produces a large number of relevant assessments and reports for acting for climate mitigation and improve air quality. For black carbon and methane emissions, control measures can be found at:
http://ccacoalition.org/en/content/short-lived-climate-pollutant-control-measures
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
An Arctic Council Working Group is mandated:
- To monitor and assess the status of the Arctic region with respect to pollution and climate change issues.
- To document levels and trends, pathways and processes, and effects on ecosystems and humans, and propose actions to reduce associated threats for consideration by governments.
- To produce sound science-based, policy-relevant assessments and public outreach products to inform policy and decision-making processes.
AMAP's work is directed by the Ministers of the Arctic Council and their Senior Arctic Officials, who have requested AMAP to also support international processes that work to reduce the global threats from contaminants and climate change. These include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNEP's Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and Minimata Convention on mercury, and the United Nation's Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution.
Since its establishment in 1991, AMAP has produced a series of high quality reports and related communication products that detail the status of the Arctic with respect to climate and pollution issues and that include policy-relevant science-based advice to the Arctic Council and governments.
https://www.amap.no/documents/18/documents/2
Other Conventions
UNEP
In progress.
Information on general Best Available Techniques and documents on BAT for specific stationary sources
Best available techniques Reference documents (BREFs) (European Commission)
The European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Bureau (EIPPCB) was set up in 1997 to organise an exchange of information between Member States, industry and non- governmental organisations promoting environmental protection on Best Available Techniques (BAT), associated monitoring and developments in them.
With the entry into force of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED, 2010/75/EU), the EIPPCB organises and coordinates the exchange of information that leads to the drawing up and review of BAT reference documents according to the dispositions of the Guidance document on the exchange of information (Commission Implementing Decision 2012/119/EU).
The European IPPC Bureau is an output oriented team which produces reference documents on Best Available Techniques, called BREFs. BREFs are the main reference documents used by competent authorities in Member States when issuing operating permits for the installations that represent a significant pollution potential in Europe. There are about 50000 of these installations in Europe.
For each BREF, the following information can be found:
- The latest reference document itself. In short, each document generally gives information on a specific industrial/agricultural sector in the EU, on the techniques and processes used in this sector, current emission and consumption levels, techniques to consider in the determination of the best available techniques (BAT) and emerging techniques.
- The list of references (background material) quoted in the reference document.
- Links to webpages containing relevant legislation/standards.
- Additional technical information.
- Translations of the Executive Summaries for BREFs adopted under the IPPC Directive.
http://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reference/
Clean Air Technology Center (US)
The Clean Air Technology Center (CATC) serves as a resource on all areas of emerging and existing air pollution prevention and control technologies, and provides public access to data and information on their use, effectiveness and cost. In addition, the CATC will provide technical support, including access to EPA's knowledge base, to government agencies and others, as resources allow, related to the technical and economic feasibility, operation and maintenance of these technologies.
Finnish resources on BAT (FI)
The Finnish Environment Institute has set up national BAT working groups on numerous subject areas, in order to contribute to the Seville process and the preparation of BAT reference documents (BREFs) or in order to produce national BAT reports on sectors not covered by the IPPC/IED directive. National BAT studies are available.
BAT published by the Nordic Council of Ministers
The Nordic council of ministers (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) publishes regurlarly BAT documents.
They are available at:
BAT published by the Russian Federation
The Bureau of BAT (Best Available Techniques) has been created 23.12.2014 by the Russian government regulation N1458 on the base of Russian Research Institute of Standardization of materials and technologies (VNII SMT).
Bureau of BAT is creating and managing Technical Working Groups for the development of Reference Documents on BAT. These Technical Working Groups consist of participants from industry, ministries, Academia and professional associations. They will have to analyze the current potential of the domestic industry and establish technological indicators on pollution and wastes.
http://www.ciscenter.ru/index.php/en/about-bat
Flemish Knowledge Centre for Best Available Techniques) (BE)
The Flemish Knowledge Centre for Best Available Techniques (BAT-knowledge centre) is an initiative from the Flemish Region and VITO.
The BAT-knowledge centre collects and distributes information concerning environmentally- and energy friendly techniques in industrial processes and selects the Best Available Techniques for several sectors.
https://emis.vito.be/en/flemish-knowledge-centre-best-available-techniques
A decision guidance system, LUSS, that can help in the initial screening of possible techniques for the treatment of industrial waste gas streams, has been developed. The objective of LUSS is not to automatically propose the Best Available waste gas treatment technique based on the input data, but rather to select a number of possible techniques from which the expert can select the Best Available Technique. The decision guidance system itself can only be consulted in Dutch. The technical descriptions of the techniques are available in English as well.
https://emis.vito.be/en/luss-0
Other resources
OECD has set up a project to assist governments to implement policies and practices that embody BAT (or similar concepts) to prevent and control industrial emissions.
http://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/risk-management/best-available-techniques.htm
The current OECD BAT project (running from January 2016 to December 2018) is divided into three activities.
Activity 1 involves the compilation of information on policies and practices using BAT (or similar concepts) in four OECD Member Countries (the United States, the European Union, Japan and New Zealand) and three Partner Countries (India, the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation). The findings from the first activity were presented in a report issued in May 2017, based on literature review and extensive contacts with national experts on pollution prevention and control, including the members of OECD’s designated Expert Group on BAT. Information from experts was collected via a survey and subsequent information-exchange.
https://one.oecd.org/document/ENV/JM/MONO(2017)12/en/pdf
Activity 2 aims to exchange experiences on how information on advanced techniques (so-called candidate BAT) is gathered, and how these are evaluated and identified/selected as AT.
Activity 3 will seek to evaluate the effectiveness of BAT policies and practices by using PRTR information or monitoring data. The activity will result in a final report which will be published by the end of the project period.
Information on BAT implemented in industrial installations
Technology Transfer Network Clean Air Technology Center - RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC):
This web site provides an overview of the RBLC Web Site and includes instructions for searching the data bases.
https://www3.epa.gov/ttncatc1/rblc/htm/welcome.html
The RBLC data base contains case-specific information on the "Best Available" air pollution technologies that have been required to reduce the emission of air pollutants from stationary sources (e.g., power plants, steel mills, chemical plants, etc.). This information has been provided by State and local permitting agencies.
https://cfpub.epa.gov/RBLC/index.cfm?action=Home.Home&lang=en
Costs of emission reduction techniques
Economic and Cost Analysis for Air Pollution Regulations (US)
This website provides access to EPA documents and tools relating to cost, benefit, and economic impact analyses of national stationary source air pollution regulations. This includes Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIAs) and Economic Impact Analyses (EIAs), as well as databases and models. This website also includes analytical guidance and reports on conducting analysis of costs, benefits, and economic impacts of air quality management strategies, programs, and regulations.
https://www.epa.gov/economic-and-cost-analysis-air-pollution-regulations
Under this web site, Cost Reports and Guidance for Air Pollution Regulations are provided.
EPA's Control Cost Manual provides guidance for the development of accurate and consistent costs for air pollution control devices. The Control Cost Manual focuses on point source and stationary area source air pollution controls for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and some acid gases (primarily SO2 and HCl).
Environmental Economics
US EPA develops economic analyses to improve the effectiveness of its environmental policies. A variety of economic tools allow the costs and benefits of different policy options to be compared. EPA also pursues new research to develop improved methods for measuring the economic consequences of environmental outcomes.
https://www.epa.gov/environmental-economics
Defra in the UK develops a cost-benefit analysis tool to inform on application for a derogation from the requirements of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).
Other information
Emission factors and plant emission reporting
US EPA clearinghouse for Inventories and Emissions Factors (CHIEF):
The EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook (formerly called the EMEP CORINAIR emission inventory guidebook) provides guidance on estimating emissions from both anthropogenic and natural emission sources. The Guidebook is designed to facilitate reporting of emission inventories by countries to the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive. It is also recommended by IPCC Guidelines as a source of air pollution emission factors for the indirect greenhouse gases that Parties report under UNFCCC. The Task force on Emission Inventories and Projections (TFEIP) of UNECE CLRTAP is responsible for the on-going maintenance and improvement of the Guidebook's technical content:
https://tfeip-secretariat.org/emep-eea-guidebook/
PRTRs (Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers)
The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) develop The Aarhus Clearinghouse for Environmental Democracy showcases information on laws and practices relevant to the public's right to:
- access environmental information
- participate in environmental decision-making, and
- achieve justice on environmental matters
https://aarhusclearinghouse.unece.org/
Guidance documents related to Kyiv Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers are available
OECD's Task Force on PRTRs (which is part of the Environment, Health and Safety Programme) provides a clearinghouse of guidance manuals and documents on release estimation techniques available from the principal pollutant release and transfer registries developed by OECD member countries. The manuals and documents include descriptive information on the sources of pollution and the pollutants that are released to the environment, as well as information on emission factors, mass balance methods, engineering calculations, and monitoring information. To assist countries in the development, implementation, and the improvement of PRTR programmes, links to PRTR guidance documents are also provided.