UK coal closures good for climate and air quality

Of the UK’s remaining 11 coal power stations, five have announced they will close this year. These five coal power stations alone emitted 32 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2014, equal to six per cent of UK greenhouse gas emissions. They also emitted 18 per cent of the country’s sulphur dioxide emissions, seven per cent of the nitrogen oxides, and 527 kg of mercury. Their health damage from 2008 to 2012 was assessed by the European Environment Agency, and calculated to be between €5.5 and 17.5 billion. The remaining six coal power stations emit even more CO₂ – equal to ten per cent of the UK’s total GHG emissions in 2014. In addition, they emitted a further 13 per cent of the SO₂ and 11 per cent of the NOx in 2013. Their health impacts were also slightly higher, at €6.4 to 20.8 billion from 2008 to 2012. It is for these reasons that it is necessary to ensure the UK Government legislates to phase out coal by 2025 at the latest. That is almost ten years away, which is surely plenty of time to build enough renewables, gas power stations, electricity storage, interconnectors and demand response capability, to ensure we can at last phase-out dirty coal forever.

Source: sandbag.org.uk.blog, 9 February 2016.

In this issue

A 1.5 target is needed to save the Baltic Sea

Effects of global temperature increases on the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea.

CCS in Norway – still a long way from the goal

The CCS project at Mongstad in western Norway was finally cancelled in 2013, causing sarcastic comments about “The Moon landing that failed”.

How to account for emissions of greenhouse gases from imported goods?

Carbon emissions have dropped in many rich countries, Sweden among them. Or is it just that the emitting industries have moved to China? A technical discussion is getting intensely political.

Member states opt for weakening air pollution targets

Compared to the Commission’s proposal, the relaxed targets agreed by member states could result in an additional 130,000 premature deaths by 2030.

The EU should phase out fossil gas

AirClim has published a new report (1) about the need to phase out the use of fossil gas as soon as possible in order to meet the climate targets agreed at the UN Paris Climate Conference in December 2015.

Sanctions missing for ship sulphur sinners

In the first year of stricter standards in the Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) of the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel, Swedish authorities took 441 ship fuel oil samples. They discovered 15 violations of the sulphur limit, but none of these resulted in fines or other types of sanctions.

New rules on emissions from medium combustion plants adopted

Despite a widespread agreement on the urgent need to cut emissions to improve air quality, existing installations are given very generous transition periods.

Cutting meat and dairy intake is beneficial for health, the environment and climate

Halving the consumption of meat and dairy in the EU would cut agricultural nitrogen losses by more than 40 per cent and GHG emissions by 25–40 per cent.

Sector targets for aviation and shipping wanted

In the absence of additional action, international shipping and aviation will be responsible for close to 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions by 2050.

Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollution

A new report by the European Environment Agency estimates that air pollution continues to be responsible for more than 430 000 premature deaths in Europe.

A new era for the debate on coal phase-out in Germany

2015 was not only the year of the groundbreaking climate agreement in Paris. It also marked a new era in political efforts on a more actively managed phase-out of power generation from coal and lignite mining in Germany.

Explaining vehicle emissions

A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) provides a non-technical guide that describes why, for certain pollutants, vehicles can emit substantially higher emissions on the road than official emissions tested in laboratories.

CCS sidelined by public opposition

In the EU, coal power currently accounts for about one fourth of electricity generation.

Need to decarbonise transport

Policies needed to stimulate behavioural changes.

Main menu

UK coal closures good for climate and air quality

In this issue

A 1.5 target is needed to save the Baltic Sea

CCS in Norway – still a long way from the goal

How to account for emissions of greenhouse gases from imported goods?

Member states opt for weakening air pollution targets

The EU should phase out fossil gas

Sanctions missing for ship sulphur sinners

New rules on emissions from medium combustion plants adopted

Cutting meat and dairy intake is beneficial for health, the environment and climate

Sector targets for aviation and shipping wanted

Europeans still exposed to harmful air pollution

A new era for the debate on coal phase-out in Germany

Explaining vehicle emissions

CCS sidelined by public opposition

Need to decarbonise transport

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

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Air pollution

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