The analyses show that a NOx levy and fund system would be a cost-effective complement to NECAs and it would ensure much needed faster and further emission reductions.
Pathways to a Nordic agricultural and food system with reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. A policy brief financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
A 70 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2020 since 1990, and 95 percent by 2030 in the Nordic-Baltic region is feasible, using known technology and not exceeding reasonable costs.
The Kyoto Protocol sets out in its treaty a number of Articles related to Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). This guide explains some of the details and the ongoing negotiations in the UN from an NGO point of view.
For Clean Air Everywhere: what can be done in our cities to decrease air pollution?
A short guide to the effects of major air pollutants on human health, recommended guidelines and current EU standards. Followed by twelve practical steps for cleaner air in our cities.
A briefing on the European Commission's proposal to revise the "sulphur in fuels directive" by aligning EU standards for shipping fuel with those adopted in 2008 by the International Maritime Organisation.
This book is about a few hundredths of a percent of the air we breathe – for that is the total extent of what we call air pollution. Even so, the effects on people and nature are very tangible: the climate is changing, rare species of animals and plants are under threat, lakes are becoming acidified, buildings are eroding, and so on.
The fate of the vast boreal forest belt of the northern hemisphere is crucial for global climate. This report looks into our possibilities to protect and manage these forests for climate mitigation.
Annual ship emissions of nitrogen oxides in the Baltic Sea could be cut by around 270,000 tons in 2015 by the application of an emissions charge, according to a new report. Published jointly by AirClim, T&E and EEB.
A key finding of this study, based on a review of recent scientific literature, is that the boreal forests will not be able to respond to global warming by migrating northwards. Massive forest dieback is a more likely scenario. Published in cooperation with Taiga Rescue Network.
Strong economic and political motives, combined with a partly positive and partly silent NGO community, has contributed strongly to the present powerful commitment towards the use of CCS in Norway.
This report takes a look behind the bright vision of carbon capture and storage (CCS) given by proponents of this technology. It is not intended to damn CCS but is an appeal for wise decision-making.
Concludes that the average benefit-to-cost ratio for measures at the 100 most polluting plants in Europe is 3.4, i.e. the estimated health benefits are 3.4 times bigger than the estimated emission control costs.
This study combines the health impact assessment methodology used by EU's CAFE programme with an emissions database for large point sources, to assess health damage linked to emissions on a plant by plant basis.
Renewable energy sources could produce all the energy the world needs in as little as 20 years from now and at a lower cost than the present energy mix, two American experts claim.
A new map published by the British government presents the likely effects of global warming above the +2° goal - a future that seems impossible to cope with.
The boreal forests, one of the largest carbon stocks on earth, will not be able to respond to global warming by migrating northwards. Massive forest dieback, causing runaway warming, is a more likely scenario.
A new AirClim factsheet takes a close look at the +2°C target for global warming. What are the allowed emissions if it is to be met, and how should the burdens be shared?
October 2009.
Sweden can cut greenhouse gas emissions by well over 50 per cent by the year 2020, if results of recent studies for 2050 are “telescoped” into the shorter timeframe, and if the consequences of exported electricity and biomass are accounted for. This could take place without CCS and while much of the nuclear capacity is decommissioned.
In 1991 Sweden introduced a substantial CO2 tax. Though it had many exemptions and was subject to many changes over the years, it did cut emissions. During that time, Sweden also phased out two nuclear reactors.
The EU burden sharing agreement in 1997–98 allowed Sweden a plus four per cent GHG target for 1990–2010. This was motivated by Sweden’s supposed plans to phase out nuclear power by 2010, plans that were already abandoned.
The CAFE programme and the thematic strategy on air pollution
Current levels of air pollution cause severe health impacts in the European Union, resulting in some 370,000 premature deaths each year, increased hospital admissions, extra medication, and millions of lost working days.
Recent research indicates that fine particles (PM2.5) in the air in the year 2000 caused an average shortening of statistical life expectancy of more than eight months in the EU, equivalent to 3.6 million life years lost annually. This means that these particles have the most serious effects on people’s health of all air pollutants.
This study includes a historical treatment of German lignite use and discusses many of the hidden costs involved. Special consideration is paid to eastern Germany.
A lowering of the sulphur content of marine heavy fuel oil to 0.5 per cent would reduce SO2 emissions from international shipping around Europe by more than three quarters by 2010. The benefits of such a measure clearly outweigh the costs, according to this study.
The report identifies and lists the 200 largest emitters of sulphur dioxide and the 200 “best” fossil-fuelled power stations, in terms of SO2 and NOx emissions per useful output.
A briefing document by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), Seas At Risk (SAR), and the Swedish NGO Secretariat on Acid Rain.
EU emission standards for light and heavy road vehicles
Emission requirements for light road vehicles have existed in the EU since the early 1970s, while the first requirements for heavy vehicles came in at the end of the 1980s.
EU on climate change: Targets, strategies and legislation
The EU was among the most active in the negotiations leading to the Kyoto protocol to the climate convention, urging the industrialized countries to reduce their emissions of the main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – by 15 per cent between 1990 and 2010, with an interim target of 7.5 per cent for 2005.
Up to the early nineties, EU policy in regard to air pollution had tended to be fragmented. Such directives as existed were either those setting air-quality standards for a few selected air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, or others to control emissions from certain defined sources such as large power plants and road vehicles.
Up to the early nineties, EU policy in regard to air pollution had tended to be fragmented. Such directives as existed were either those setting air-quality standards for a few selected air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, or others to control emissions from certain defined sources such as large power plants and road vehicles.
The IPCC’s Third Assessment Report provides the best scientific information to date as to how the emissions of greenhouse gases are affecting our climate. Here is a brief description of the IPCC and its most recent findings.
Although the concentrations of air pollutants are in general on the way down in Europe, the problems remain considerable – especially as regards ground-level ozone and small particles. In some parts, too, the situation continues to become worse. In the following is a digest of the chief effects, causes, and permissible limits to the concentrations of the most pervasive pollutants.
A study showing that the estimated annual costs for achieving the interim environmental quality targets of the proposed national emission ceilings (NECs) directive can be reduced by nearly two thirds. This result is obtained by using an low-CO2 energy scenario as the basis for the cost estimation.
In comparison with additional measures taken on land, reducing emissions at sea would be very cost effective. This report presents the problems, as well as the technical and political opportunities to solve them.
Study examining the outlook in the light of various assumptions concerning the trend in emissions. Concludes that acidification is likely to remain a threat even if all the proposed measures for reducing them are actually carried out.
In order to determine the extent to which the emissions of air pollutants will have to be reduced, if the environment is to be protected from damage, it is essential to know the limits to nature's tolerance.
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