16 February 2021
23.02.2021 - Within the framework of the project “Management of Information on Air Quality, Behavior Change, and Communication Services,” supported by the Millennium Foundation Kosovo – MFK, as part of the component “Updating the air emissions inventory: Detailed methodology for the inventory of pollutant emissions in Kosovo,” data for the Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory and air emissions modeling in Kosovo for the year 2018 have been published.
The air emissions inventory has been prepared for the entire territory of Kosovo. The preparation of the inventory was done in cooperation with the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency and with the use of inputs also from the project “Capacity Development for Air Pollution Control in Kosovo” supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The base year for the development of the emissions database has been 2018, and for the preparation of the inventory, data from measurements, statistical data, and other necessary data at the national and local level have been used.
The emissions inventory includes the pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SO2, CO, and total NMVOC. Within the emissions inventory, the following emission sources are included: small-scale combustion, transport, industry, waste landfills, quarries, and agriculture.
Inventory results show that in total emissions from all sources, small-scale burning contributes 69% (PM10) and 84% (PM2.5); in total PM emissions, transport contributes 12% (PM10) and 7% (PM2.5), industry and quarries 17% (PM10) and 8% (PM2.5), while agriculture 3% (PM10) and 1% (PM2.5). The share of emissions from different sectors differs in the case of NO2: small-scale burning - 5%, transport 32%, industry - 56%, and agriculture - 9%. The air pollutant emissions inventory is one of the most important input sources for air quality modeling and air quality forecasting.
Air quality modeling provides information on the spatial distribution of air pollution (where air pollution is worst or best), indicates areas with air quality standard exceedances, and provides information on which emission sources are responsible for high pollution levels. Air quality modeling for the year 2018 supports the air quality monitoring system with the spatial distribution of pollution in an area of the country (not just at measurement points). The modeling results have confirmed that the biggest problem is particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in urban areas.
According to the modeling results, there are many areas polluted with PM10 and PM2.5 in Kosovo where PM concentrations are above the limit values. In general, areas with high concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 pollution overlap with the locations of major emission sources such as large cities and main roads. Regions with very high PM pollution (exceeding national standards) include the Prishtina region, the Prizren region, the Mitrovica region, Gjilan, Gjakova, and Ferizaj. Exceedances are also predicted in smaller towns. Small-scale combustion (household heating) has the largest contribution to annual PM10 and PM2.5 pollution concentrations in most urban areas. The average percentage of the small combustion sector in PM10 concentration is around 50% (PM10) and 57% (PM2.5). Household heating contributes to PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at the level of 56% and 58% in Prishtina.
Annual exceedances of NO2 concentrations are small and concentrated in several cities such as: Prishtina, Fushe Kosova, Obiliq, Ferizaj, Gjilan, Prizren, and others. Exceedances have also been observed along main roads, especially highways and the regional road from Ferizaj through Prishtina to Mitrovica. There are no predicted exceedances of hourly NO2 concentrations in the territory of Kosovo. In the case of NO2, transport has the largest contribution to the annual concentration for most urban areas. The average contribution of the transport sector to NO2 concentrations is about 57% at the national level and 61% in Prishtina. There are no predicted exceedances of limits for hours and days for SO2. For more details, see: Annex II: Summary of sectors, uncertainties, updates, and key categories.