Climate change is a harsh reality for the world. It has now caused irreversible damages to human life and environment, ecology and natural resources so, every country would have to play its role.
However, EU member countries, in conjunction with the European Parliament, have made significant strides in tackling industrial emissions. This preliminary agreement, reached on a late Tuesday (November 28, 2023) session, marks a pivotal step toward curbing harmful emissions, notably targeting intensive poultry and pig farms along with industrial ore mines.
Industrial operations and activities produce hazardous emissions such as nitrogen oxide, ammonia, mercury, and carbon dioxide. These substances contaminate water, air, and soil, leading to adverse impacts on human health, the environment, and natural ecosystems.
EU’s Goal
The EU’s goal for 2050 is to bring pollution down to levels that are no longer harmful to human health. The current industrial emissions agreement contributes to this objective in two key ways. Firstly, it establishes more stringent regulations aimed at addressing pollution at its source. Simultaneously, it enhances the reporting and monitoring of emissions. These new regulations will implement more effective pollution limits and offer industry clear directives on making investments that effectively reduce their emissions.
Directive on Industrial Emissions
The primary tool within the EU for regulating pollution from industrial facilities, including intensive livestock farms, is the Industrial Emissions Directive. This directive oversees emissions from large-scale industrial installations and farms are:
- nitrogen oxide
- ammonia
- mercury
- methane
- and carbon dioxide
Compliance mandates these entities to function under a permit issued by national authorities, adhering to the Best Available Techniques (BAT) as the established standard.
Following amendments, the directive aims to advance energy efficiency, support a circular economy, and drive decarbonization.
In their initial agreement, co-legislators revised agricultural thresholds for animal rearing: 350 LSU (livestock units) for pigs, 280 LSU for poultry (300 for laying hens), and 380 LSU for mixed farms. However, extensive and domestically focused animal farms would fall outside the directive’s scope. These updated regulations will be gradually enforced, commencing in 2030, initially targeting the largest farms.
Moreover, the agreement broadens the directive’s coverage to include mining activities, encompassing the extraction and processing of non-energy ores like:
- Iron
- Copper
- Gold
- Nickel and
- platinum on an industrial scale.
Pending a review and legislative proposal by the Commission, the directive’s scope might extend to include industrial minerals.
Revised Agricultural Thresholds for Animal Rearing
limit values
The agreement introduces Environmental Performance Limit Values (EPLVs), to be established by competent authorities in permits authorizing the establishment and operation of installations. The Council and Parliament have concurred to enforce binding EPLV ranges for all energy resources, excluding water, where competent authorities are tasked with setting obligatory targets. EPLVs will serve as indicative for emerging techniques.
Review clause
The interim agreement establishes 2028 as the initial review date (with subsequent assessments every five years) for the Commission to evaluate the directive’s implementation. This evaluation will consider emerging techniques and the necessity for additional pollution prevention measures or minimum EU-wide emission limits.
Additionally, by 2026, the Commission must devise strategies to tackle emissions arising from cattle farming and agricultural products entering the EU market effectively.
Industrial emissions portal
The co-legislators approved a new industrial emissions information portal, replacing the E-PRTR regulation. This portal aims to boost public access to industrial emission data, fostering public involvement in environmental decisions. It will cover water, energy, and raw material use, tracking progress toward a circular, resource-efficient economy. They’ve also included a review clause to assess activities and pollutants, adding dicofol and two types of PFAS (Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances) to the listed substances for closer monitoring. The regulation will align with existing protocols and come into effect by 2028, allowing member states time to adjust.
The Commission proposed a review of the industrial emissions directive on April 5, 2022. Initially established in 2010, this directive serves as the principal EU tool aimed at preventing and mitigating pollution from significant industrial facilities. The primary goal of this revision is to advance the EU’s ambition of achieving zero pollution for a healthier, toxin-free environment.
The upcoming regulations aim to:
- Extend its coverage to encompass additional installations, particularly larger-scale intensive livestock farms.
- Enhance the effectiveness of permits.
- Diminish the administrative load.
- Foster greater transparency.
Bangladesh – CO2 emissions from manufacturing industries
Bangladesh, despite being one of the world’s lowest carbon emitters, remains dedicated to reducing carbon emissions by 89.47 million tonnes, aiming for a 21.85% reduction in carbon dioxide by 2030. To reach the target, Bangladesh will cut 96.1 per cent of emissions from the energy sector such as power, transport, industry, households, commercial, agriculture, brick kilns, and fugitive emissions. The government of Bangladesh is working with the private sector to implement environment-friendly industrialization.
The industries of Bangladesh are increasingly looking to innovate and move for maintaining environment-friendly standards.
As COP28 approaches, Bangladesh, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, aims to intensify the call for implementing the fund for loss and damage with a focus on responsibility and transparency, once again positioning itself as a leader in the global fight against climate change. COP28 is kicked off today (November 30, 2023) and will continue till next December 12 in Dubai, UAE.
Highlights
- Current Status: Bangladesh stands as one of the world’s lowest carbon emitters.
- 2030 Target: Aims to reduce carbon emissions by 89.47 million tonnes, targeting a 21.85% reduction in CO2 by 2030.
- Industrial Innovation: Industries in Bangladesh are progressively adopting environment-friendly standards and innovation.
- Leadership in Climate Advocacy: Ahead of COP28, Bangladesh is amplifying calls for implementing the loss and damage fund with a focus on responsibility and transparency.
- COP28 Details: Scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, UAE.
Conclusion
This proactive initiative signifies a crucial move toward environmental sustainability by targeting key sources of industrial emissions. By integrating updated regulations and stringent compliance measures, the EU aims to mitigate the adverse environmental and health impacts associated with industrial activities, promoting a cleaner and healthier future for its citizens.
