The protocol enters into force just as the LRTAP convention celebrates its 40-year anniversary. Photo: © Shutterstock – Sandra van der Steen

Amended Gothenburg Protocol now in force

The amended Gothenburg Protocol under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) came into force on 7 October, after the eighteenth ratification, by Luxembourg in July. All in all, there are now nineteen parties to the protocol: Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

The original protocol dates back to 1999. After an update and revision, an amended protocol was signed in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2012, and it sets binding country-by-country emission reduction commitments for five air pollutants – sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, ammonia and fine particulate matter – to be achieved by 2020.

The entry-into-force opens the way for a review and possible revision of the protocol – an issue that will be debated at the next meeting of the Convention’s Executive Body on 9–13 December in Geneva. On 11–12 December, the meeting will also hold a special session to celebrate the Convention’s 40-year anniversary.

Further information: http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/welcome.html.html

Air pollutionCLRTAP

In this issue

Not even 1.5°C is good enough

The international community is still far from agreeing on a clearly defined maximum limit for global warming. Yet, parts of marine ecosystems face catastrophic risks already at current levels of warming.

Editorial: IPCC Ocean and Cryosphere report is a powerful diplomatic asset

The IPCC’s Special Report on The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate and its summary for policymakers provide scary reading about ongoing changes and risks, as well as projected risks.

Capacity is no longer a reason for subsidies to fossil power

Check the national regulation regarding extreme power shortage situations, and educate either the regulator or the balance responsible power companies. Do not accept capacity arguments for subsidies to fossil fuels.

Increasing renewable energy targets for the EU

The new European Commission needs to sprint towards climate action to be in line with the Paris Agreement. There is growing support for at least 55% emission reductions by 2030.

EU law instrumental for cleaning up power plants

The EU Large Combustion Plants Directive was the main driver behind the significant air pollutant emission cuts in this sector from 2004 to 2015, according to a new EEA report.

Achieving a sustainable food future

Feeding the world while staying below 1.5°C by 2050 will require increased productivity, shifts in consumption, new technology and massive reforestation, according to a new report.

Prompt climate action needed to ensure food supplies

IPCC report says that climate change increases pressure on land, meanwhile land use causes almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental impacts of ship scrubbers

Untreated wash water from open-loop scrubbers contains heavy metals, aromatic hydrocarbons and soot particles, and scientific tests have shown harmful effects on marine organisms.

Ship emissions debate continues

While slightly stricter energy efficiency targets for certain types of ships were agreed by the IMO in May, there was still no progress on introducing effective short-term measures to cut ships’ carbon emissions.

Six countries still breach binding air pollution limits

In 2017, the national emission ceilings for ammonia were still violated by five member states and total emissions have now increased by more than three per cent over the last four years, preliminary data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows.

Global SO2 air pollution hotspots mapped

The Norilsk smelter complex in Russia continues to be the largest sulphur dioxide emission hotspot in the world.

Swedish refinery at crossroads: 2X fossil future contested

The Preem oil refinery in Sweden wants to expand, greatly increasing its CO₂ emissions and those of Sweden. It may wreck Sweden’s climate target. It may also help the Norwegian fossil industry’s effort to pitch CCS. What happens now is up to the government.

Hydrogen choices

Hydrogen has for several decades been touted as the fuel of the future. It is in fact a big commodity today, and heading for fast growth in a low-carbon future. If it is produced from fossil fuels, which is what Preem plans for, it is not part of the solution, but a big source of CO₂.

Main menu

Amended Gothenburg Protocol now in force

In this issue

Not even 1.5°C is good enough

Editorial: IPCC Ocean and Cryosphere report is a powerful diplomatic asset

Capacity is no longer a reason for subsidies to fossil power

Increasing renewable energy targets for the EU

EU law instrumental for cleaning up power plants

Achieving a sustainable food future

Prompt climate action needed to ensure food supplies

Environmental impacts of ship scrubbers

Ship emissions debate continues

Six countries still breach binding air pollution limits

Global SO2 air pollution hotspots mapped

Swedish refinery at crossroads: 2X fossil future contested

Hydrogen choices

In Breif

UK aims for zero-emission ships by 2025

10,000 EU staff call for coal phase-out by 2025

Court rulings on air pollution

Climate change and the Andean cryosphere

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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