Air protection Ordinance (OPair)

The Air protection Ordinance (OPair) of 16 December 1985 [1] aims at giving shape to the objectives regarding human and environment protection against harmful effects. In a report on air quality adopted by the Confederation and the Cantons [2], the Federal Council indicates in which proportions polluting emissions should be reduced to reach the protection targets in force (see table below).

Table : Objectives of polluting emissions reduction in Switzerland (with respect to 2000)

VLI: immission limit value according to OPair / CL: critical load to be respected in the long term according to the Convention of Geneva

These targets on the reduction of air pollutant emissions are transcribed at the scale of Cantons by the competent authorities. In the Canton of Geneva, for instance, the Air Protection Service indicates the targets for 2010 in its Planning of measures 2003-2010 [3].