An overview of air pollutant emission standards for coal-fired plant worldwide

Current air pollution regulations applicable to coal-fired plant around the world are surveyed, focusing on particulates, SO2 and NOX. Approaches to controlling emission standards vary from region to region and from country to country. Acidification has been a long term concern in many OECD countries, leading to ever-tightening emission standards. In some regions, air quality considerations are currently more important. A variety of policy instruments are used to regulate emissions to the atmosphere. These include emission standards, fuel quality standards (for control of sulphur emissions), requirements to achieve a percentage reduction in emissions, requirements to use the ''Best Available Technology'' and economic instruments. These instruments are reviewed briefly. Finally, future trends in air pollution legislation are discussed, with particular reference to the recent or forthcoming UNECE protocols and the ongoing revision of the European Union's Large Combustion Plants Directive.