This document aims to reduce tropospheric ozone concentrations to improve the pollution values recorded.
It includes measures to increase knowledge, coordination between administrations, as well as information, dissemination and awareness-raising.
The Consell de Govern has approved the Plan for the Improvement of Air Quality due to Ozone Pollution in the Balearic Islands, a document that aims to reduce tropospheric ozone concentrations in order to improve the values recorded in the air quality monitoring and control network of the territory, as well as to contribute to compliance with the target values indicated in the current directives and the forecast of future directives.
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Approval of the Plan to Improve Air Quality due to Ozone Pollution in the Balearic Islands
Unlike the ozone present in the stratosphere, which acts against the strongest solar radiation, tropospheric ozone is present in the atmosphere, the area where humans and, in general, all biodiversity live. Also known as ‘bad ozone’, it is produced from hydrocarbons, methane, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides that react with solar radiation. It is a pollutant that can affect health and the environment. In addition, in the upper troposphere, it is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect.
The report of the approved Plan analyses the data and details the areas most affected by exceedances of the objective value for the protection of health and the protection of vegetation. The same document explains the trends in ozone on a hemispheric scale, the background levels, the allochthonous contribution of this gas and its behaviour by island, according to the particularities of each one. An assessment is also made of ozone precursor emissions in the Balearic Islands.
The document lists the existing plans, programmes and projects, at regional, national and European levels, indicates the specific measures that represent a reduction in ozone precursor emissions and proposes four blocks of additional measures.
The first block of measures foresees initiatives aimed at increasing knowledge, consisting of the implementation of new measures and the elaboration of specific studies. The second includes proposals for coordination between administrations, such as the review and promotion of the Air Quality Improvement Framework Plan for Municipalities. The third includes regional measures to reduce pollution, such as the implementation of low-emission zones, the improvement and promotion of public transport and specific measures in ports and airports, as well as controls on emissions of volatile organic compounds in the industrial sector. The fourth and final block incorporates proposals for information, dissemination and awareness-raising through an air quality communication and awareness-raising plan.
The Plan has been subjected to a simplified strategic environmental assessment and the Balearic Islands Environment Commission has formulated the corresponding strategic environmental report on this initiative.