Göteborgsprotokollet

Göteborgsprotokollet, or the Gothenburg Protocol, is an international environmental treaty negotiated under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) as part of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). It was opened for signature in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1999. The protocol aims to reduce emissions of pollutants that cause acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone, by establishing national emission ceilings for key substances.

The protocol originally targeted sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH3), and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs). Over time it has been amended and expanded to cover additional pollutants and to tighten emission limits. In addition to setting ceilings, the protocol provides for reporting, monitoring and compliance mechanisms, as well as guidance for measures across energy, industry and agricultural sectors to achieve the agreed reductions.

Scope and significance aside, Göteborgsprotokollet is a central element of the UNECE’s CLRTAP framework and represents one of the primary tools for reducing long-range transboundary air pollution in Europe and the broader region. Through its ongoing reviews and amendments, the protocol seeks to reflect evolving scientific understanding and policy needs, contributing to improvements in air quality and environmental protection.

Related topics include the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and other UNECE environmental frameworks.