International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Abstract
The 2015 Medium Combustion Plants Directive (MCPD)1 was initially a part of the clean air
legislation package initiated by the European Commission in order to achieve the short-term
and long-term EU air quality objectives.2 The need for adopting the Directive was obvious: the
MCPs increasingly contributed to air pollution,3 but emissions from them were not regulated
at the EU level,4 even despite the fact that regulation of emissions from small and large
combustion plants has already been present for a few years.5 Thus, the combustion of fuel in
certain small combustion plants and appliances is covered by implementing measures as
referred to in Directive 2009/125/EC,6 although further measures are urgently needed under
this act in order to cover the remaining regulatory gap.7 Meanwhile, combustion of fuel in large
combustion plants is covered by Directive 2010/75/EU,8 which repealed the previous Directive
2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large
combustion plant