Management of historical data reported to E-PRTR Regulation (2007-2017) and former LCP database (2016 - 2017) and their inclusion in the industrial database.

The European Environment Agency (EEA), in collaboration with the European Topic Centre for Air and Noise (ETC/ATNI), undertook a significant initiative to convert historical pollution data into a new, standardised format. This section outlines the key steps involved in this process.

Data Sources

* European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR): Data on pollutant releases and transfers for reporting years 2007 to 2017.

* Industrial Emissions Directive (IED): Data on fuel inputs and emissions for Large Combustion Plants (LCPs) for reporting years 2016 and 2017.

* EU Registry: Administrative data on facilities (available from 2017 onwards).

Data Mapping Methodology

Establishing a Time-Consistent Foundation (Revised in 2023): The initial methodology utilised data reported for the year 2017 under the EU Registry, E-PRTR, and LCPs as the foundation for mapping between the old and new reporting systems. In 2023, the EEA refined this approach to ensure greater temporal consistency for industrial entities. Presently, a search is conducted across EU Registry data from 2017 to 2021 to identify match using either the NationalId (facility) or PlantID (LCP). This expanded search window guarantees a more comprehensive and time-consistent linkage between facilities and the corresponding data reported under the various systems. Additionally, for LCP data, a direct match between the E-PRTR NationalId reported in the old LCP database and the facility in the EU Registry is performed to establish a clear connection between the LCP and the relevant facility.

Integration of Historical Data (2024 Update): Thematic data on pollutant releases, transfers, and waste transfers reported under the E-PRTR from 2007 to 2017 were incorporated. Data on fuel inputs and emissions from LCPs for reporting years 2016 and 2017 were also included.

Data Enhancements: In 2023,Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia resubmitted updated EU Registry data from 2017. A new set of unique identifiers (Inspire IDs) was provided by Slovakia. A revised mapping file was developed to facilitate the integration of the updated EU Registry data with the previously employed reporting format.

Significance: This comprehensive data mapping exercise ensures that historical pollution data from various sources is now accessible in a consistent and standardised format, facilitating improved analysis and reporting within the European Union.

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Units

Pollutant releases and transfers (kg/year)

- Waste transfers (t/year)

- Total energy input, related to net calorific value (TJ/year)

- SO2, NOX and dust emissions from LCPs (t/year)

- Rated thermal input (MWth)

- Nominal and permitted capacities of Waste Incinerator and Co-Waste Incinerator (t/h)