France has presented an impact assessment for an ECA in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: Flickr.com / Simon Roberts CC BY-SA-ND

Benefits of a Mediterranean emission control area

At an IMO meeting in London in October, France presented its impact assessment of a possible emission control area (ECA) in the Mediterranean Sea. The findings show that a combined ECA which simultaneously addresses both sulphur and nitrogen oxides has the greatest positive effect in terms of reduced air pollution and resulting socio-economic and ecological benefits. Environmentalist groups welcomed the report and renewed their call for the immediate designation of all European waters and particularly the Mediterranean Sea as emission control areas.

Charlotte Lepitre at France Nature Environment (FNE) said: “People in northern Europe are profiting since years from higher standards for marine fuels, improving their air quality. France is taking the lead on Mediterranean countries proposing to catch up and protect the citizens’ health, ecosystems and the cultural heritage. Such a step would also establish a coherent European legal framework that prevents market distortions and guarantees a level playing field.”

Source: FNE and NABU joint press release, 24 October 2018

Shipping

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Editorial: Call for Europe to phase out coal by 2025

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Ship emissions debated

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What goes up must come down

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Levels of long-lived greenhouse gases rose again in 2017

The level of CO₂ today is similar to that 3–5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2–3°C warmer and the sea level was 10–20 metres higher than now.

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C is possible

Climate Action Network evaluates the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C for the Talanoa Dialogue.

Harmful air pollution levels still much too high

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Phasing out coal in Europe

Elements for a plan to phase out coal by 2025 are presented.

Cut methane to reduce ozone

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EU auditors urge tougher action on air quality

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Climate targets for trucks and cars in the making

The European Parliament is pushing for more ambitious CO₂ standards for cars and lorries by 2030. Though even more cuts are needed to decarbonise the vehicle fleet by 2050.

Livestock sector must contract

Numbers of farm animals in the European Union are not within a “safe operating space” for the climate and nitrogen, states a new report from the RISE foundation.

European lunches leave carbon footprints overseas

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1.5°C is the new 2°C

In the wake of the IPCC publishing their 1.5°C report the global press calls for quick action.

A 1.5°C target is needed to save the Mediterranean region

Climate change is a threat to the Mediterranean sea and surrounding countries. This is featured in a recent short documentary produced by AirClim and SEE.NET.

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Benefits of a Mediterranean emission control area

In this issue

EU needs net zero emissions by 2040

Editorial: Call for Europe to phase out coal by 2025

Ship emissions debated

What goes up must come down

Levels of long-lived greenhouse gases rose again in 2017

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C is possible

Harmful air pollution levels still much too high

Phasing out coal in Europe

Cut methane to reduce ozone

Citizens support diesel bans to tackle air pollution

EU auditors urge tougher action on air quality

Climate targets for trucks and cars in the making

Livestock sector must contract

European lunches leave carbon footprints overseas

1.5°C is the new 2°C

A 1.5°C target is needed to save the Mediterranean region

In Breif

Electric ferries between Sweden and Denmark

Heavily polluting Romanian power plant challenged

EU rules needed to stop truck NOx fraud

EU auditors critical of CAP proposal

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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