As many of you know, 2013 is set to be the European Commission’s ‘Year of Air’ during which we expect to see the conclusion of the Commission’s current review of EU air quality policy and publication of an updated Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution. We understand that the new Thematic Strategy may be accompanied by a proposal to revise the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive, which would likely set new national emission reduction targets to 2020, 2025 and possibly 2030 for the four existing NEC Directive air pollutants – oxides of nitrogen (NOX), sulphur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), ammonia (NH3) and also fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

The Multi-Pollutant Measures Database (MPMD) is the starting point for an assessment of the additional measures that could be deployed to secure further reductions in NOX, SO2, PM10, PM2.5 and NMVOC. The MPMD was developed and consulted on back in 2008 and this is the first significant update since then. The database includes an assessment of the costs and effectiveness of almost 200 measures spanning most industry sectors (including energy, transport, manufacturing and agriculture) and it is here that we would welcome your views on the measures included in the updated MPMD, which now extends to 2030.

This consultation on electricity demand reduction seeks views on what more might be done to support the efficient use of electricity. It looks at the opportunities in all sectors and identifies a number of key barriers that are preventing this potential from being realised.

Focal aspects of the consultation include whether financial incentives can deliver cost effective reductions that are beneficial to society as a whole (including both market wide and more targeted approaches) and if voluntary and information proposals could be effective.

This is part of Government’s rolling programme of triennial reviews of public bodies, to consider whether the functions carried out by the body are still required and whether the delivery model is right and offers value for money.The consultation in particular looks to understand how best groups and individuals can work together at a catchment scale to improve the water environment. It also looks to address the challenge of consulting on both detailed RBMPs and Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs).

Stakeholders and experts in the field of the European carbon market are invited to comment on the structural options and views reflected in the report "The state of the European carbon market in 2012", which serves as the consultation document. There is no additional questionnaire.