Emissions of ammonia have fallen by 21 per cent between 1980 and 2010, but increased by 0.5 per cent between 2009 and 2010. Emissions in 2010 were 4 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.  

 Ammonia emissions and targets: UK, 1980 – 2010  

• Ammonia emissions (excluding natural emissions from wild animals and humans) fell  by 21 per cent between 1980 and 2010 to 284 thousand tonnes,  compared with the 2010 target of 297 thousand tonnes under the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol and the EU National Emissions Ceiling Directive.
• Emissions from agriculture accounted for 89 per cent of total ammonia emissions in 2010. Agriculture’s contribution to the total has decreased slightly since 1980, largely due to reductions in cattle numbers and more efficient fertiliser use. However, more recently there has been increased use of urea as a nitrogen-containing fertiliser and a resulting slight increase in emissions from agriculture.

Why is this important – Ammonia is an acidifying and eutrophying gas.  

Acidification is the process where chemical reactions involving air pollutants create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings (including as acid-rain).

Eutrophication is the process where nitrogen is deposited in soils or in rivers and lakes through rain and affects the nutrient levels and diversity of species in sensitive environments, for example encouraging algae growth in lakes and water courses.

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 ammonia
Air pollutant emissions methodology
Government policy on air quality
Air quality in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Emissions of air pollutants in Europe