300 million children breathing toxic air

Three hundred million of the world’s children live in areas where the levels of toxic air pollution are more than six times the international guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to new research by UNICEF. Moreover, almost 90 per cent of the world’s children – two billion – live in places where outdoor air pollution exceeds the WHO recommended levels.

“Air pollution is a major contributing factor in the deaths of around 600,000 children under five every year – and it threatens the lives and futures of millions more every day,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “Pollutants don’t only harm children’s developing lungs – they can actually cross the blood-brain barrier and permanently damage their developing brains – and, thus, their futures. No society can afford to ignore air pollution.”

Children are more susceptible than adults to air pollution as their lungs, brains and immune systems are still developing and their respiratory tracts are more permeable. The most disadvantaged, who already tend to have poorer health and inadequate access to health services, are the most vulnerable to the illnesses caused by polluted air.

Source: UNICEF press release, 31 October 2016 (www.unicef.org)

In this issue

IMO confirms 2020 date

Implementing the global rule to restrict the sulphur content in marine fuel oil to 0.5 per cent will cut shipping SO2 emissions by nearly 80 per cent and prevent more than 100,000 annual premature deaths.

Editorial: Global sulphur cap in 2020

It is now finally settled that the global cap of 0.5 per cent for the sulphur content of the fuel oil used by ships will apply from 1 January 2020.

End derogations for polluting coal plants

Effective regulation of air pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants could prevent 20,000 premature deaths every year.

A Europe powered only with renewable energy

This vision was launched in 1992 from within the world-leading power equipment company ABB.

Small is beautiful

“Small is beautiful” was the catchphrase of the alternative energy movement of the 1970s.

Initiative to boost soil carbon

In Paris an initiative called “4 per 1000” was signed by 25 countries, with the aim to protect and increase carbon stocks in soil and to develop accounting and safeguard criteria.

Multiple actions needed to reduce food emissions

Reducing consumption of meat, dairy and eggs by three quarters in the EU will lead to reductions of 44 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions from the food sector, but other efforts are also needed to reach a 2-degree target.

Climate target for agriculture

A new study proposes that the agricultural sector needs to reduce emissions by 1 billion tonnes of CO₂e per year by 2030 to contribute to the 2°C target.

Air pollution costs trillions

Premature deaths due to air pollution cause annual global costs of about US$225 billion in lost work days, and more than US$5 trillion in welfare losses, according to a new study.

Germany’s slow decarbonisation

Germany must still eliminate 145 Mt of annual greenhouse gas emissions to achieve its 2020 climate target, 16 per cent below current levels.

Proposed gas strategy is a gamble with the climate

The EU, Norway and Russia are all promoting fossil gas as a long-term clean and sustainable energy solution. “There’s no such thing as clean gas”, says Friends of the Earth Europe.

Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

The EU should seize the opportunity to replace ageing and end-of-life coal-fired plants with renewable energy sources.

Unique oppurtunity for Ukraine

The changed geopolitical situation in Ukraine has led to an energy crisis, and the country is now at a crossroads: sticking with coal and nuclear power or investing in renewables?

Greening transport with more electric vehicles

A large scale roll-out of electric cars on EU roads would result in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower levels of certain air pollutants.

New diesel cars still emit up to 15 times too much NOx

Over four in five Euro 5 diesel cars produce more than three times their laboratory limit value for NOx when driven on the road, and two-thirds of Euro 6 diesel cars still emit more than three times their limit.

European emission trends updated

Overall air pollutant emissions keep on slowly shrinking – sulphur emissions show the biggest reductions, while there is much less improvement for ammonia and particulate matter.

Industry does not need CCS

Swedish steel group SSAB, the country’s top CO₂ emitter, foregoes CCS. It opts to replace coal with hydrogen. The cement industry and refineries also show low-CO₂ potential soon, and without CCS.

NOAA: Reefs are boiled to death

The soaring temperature of the oceans is the “greatest hidden challenge of our generation”and global coral bleaching continues for a third year due to global warming.

Main menu

300 million children breathing toxic air

In this issue

IMO confirms 2020 date

Editorial: Global sulphur cap in 2020

End derogations for polluting coal plants

A Europe powered only with renewable energy

Small is beautiful

Initiative to boost soil carbon

Multiple actions needed to reduce food emissions

Climate target for agriculture

Air pollution costs trillions

Germany’s slow decarbonisation

Proposed gas strategy is a gamble with the climate

Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

Unique oppurtunity for Ukraine

Greening transport with more electric vehicles

New diesel cars still emit up to 15 times too much NOx

European emission trends updated

Industry does not need CCS

NOAA: Reefs are boiled to death

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

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

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