Recent developments in technologies and policies in Germany to control acid deposition

Abstract

In Germany, acidifying emissions have decreased since the mid-eighties, but are still at levels that cause environmentally harmful acid deposition and thus make further action necessary. The driving force behind such actions is the precautionary principle laid down in pollution control legislation. It is implemented as a requirement to minimize emissions and mandates the parties concerned to formulate and implement emission control requirements based on the state of the art, and to update them as technological advances are made. As the scope for restructuring energy supply and switching to environmentally friendlier sources is very limited in Germany, strategies for controlling inevitable NO_X and SO₂ emissions will continue to be directed at further improving the technical systems (besides necessary changes in lifestyle). Since the large-scale retrofit programmes were initiated in the eighties, technological advances have provided some scope for a further tightening of emission reduction requirements for SO₂ and NO_X. In addition, there is some potential for further reducing these emissions through more energy-efficient demand- and supply-side technology.