Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds have fallen by 71 per cent between 1990 and 2010, and fell by 4 per cent between 2009 and 2010. Emissions in 2010 were 34 per cent below the international target for the UK.

The UK has met current international targets set in the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) and the Gothenburg Protocol under the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) to reduce total emissions by 2010. 

 Non-methane volatile organic compound emissions and targets: UK, 1970 – 2010

• Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) in 2010 were 71 per cent lower than 1990 levels. The main sources of NMVOCs are the use of solvents and the extraction and distribution of fossil fuels.
• The marked decrease in emissions since the early 1990s reflects stricter limits on emissions from various sectors.

Why is this important – Volatile organic compounds  represent a wide range of chemical compounds, arising from many different sectors and processes. They are involved in the formation of ground-level ozone.

Ground-level ozone arises where chemical reactions involving air pollutants create the toxic gas ozone (O3) which can affect people’s health and can damage wild plants, crops, forests and some materials.

This pollutant can also react in the atmosphere to form secondary particulate matter (PM), which can adversely impact human health. Chronic exposure to PM can contribute to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Data download

The key facts publication contains a downloadable version of this page
Next scheduled update December 2012
Additional data and information on emissions of NMVOCs
Air pollutant emissions methodology
Current Government policy on air quality
Air quality in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Emissions of air pollutants in Europe