Controlling transboundary emissions of nitrogen oxides

In 1988 the Protocol concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or their Transboundary Fluxes (NOx Protocol) was adopted in Sofia (Bulgaria). This Protocol requires as a first step, to freeze emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes. The general reference year is 1987 (with the exception of the United States that chose to relate its emission target to 1978). Taking the sum of emissions of Parties to the NOx Protocol in 1994, or a previous year, where no recent data are available, also a reduction of 9% compared to 1987 can be noted. Nineteen of the 25 Parties to the 1988 NOx Protocol have reached the target and stabilized emissions at 1987 (or in the case of the United States 1978) levels or reduced emissions below that level according to the latest emission data reported.