Australia-wide National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) 2012–13 dataset released
New data on Australia’s pollution is now available on the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) website.
The NPI is an internet-based database that provides free information to the community, government and industry on the emissions and transfers of 93 substances that have been identified as important due to their possible effect on human health and the environment.
The NPI is unique as it shows on a geographical basis, where substances are being emitted, and what amount. Each year this data is reported nationally by industry to the relevant state environment agency. EPA team members Naomi Struve, Brenton Reynolds and Savini Tennakoon are dedicated to validating and auditing the NPI process and data in South Australia.
NPI data is used in many ways by government, industry and the community. Here in South Australia for example:
- EPA load-based licensing uses NPI data to calculate the Resource Efficiency Fee (REF).
- The 2013 State of the Environment Report uses NPI data to show emission trends of key pollutants.
- Marine parks design and monitoring by the Marine Parks Unit in the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. NPI data is used in conjunction with other social and economic data such as aquaculture, recreational fishing, boat ramps, jetties, mining and shack settlements to assist in the designing of the marine park zoning network. NPI data will also support the marine parks monitoring and evaluation program.