Low-emission zones reduce child asthma

A recent German study found that children who spent their time in the womb and their first year of life in low emission zones experienced a 13% reduction in asthma medication prescriptions by their fifth birthday. The study, published in the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, focused on children born between 2006 and 2017 in cities with low emission zones (LEZ), using air quality data and anonymized health records from Germany’s largest public health insurer. Researchers employed a quasi-experimental approach, comparing children born before and after the implementation of LEZ to control groups from cities that introduced these zones later. This method allowed them to isolate the causal effects of reduced pollution on early childhood health

Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change 13 May 2024 https://www.mcc-berlin.net/en/news/information/information-detail/articl...

Air pollutionAir qualityRoad traffic

In this issue

Illustration: © Henri Gylander

A major step toward cleaner air in the EU

By tightening limits on harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 the revised Air Qulaity Directive will significantly improve public health and align closer with WHO guidelines.

Photo:© GOLFX/ Shutterstock.com

Editorial: Fighting for the right to clean air

“The dose makes the poison” is a basic principle in toxicology. Even drinking water can be lethal if consumed in excessive amounts. For air pollution, the levels considered harmful are often relatively small, measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air. However, exposure is constant as we continuously breathe, and these small ammounts accumulate, leading to diseases and ultimately deaths.

Photo: © Andrei Metelev/ Shutterstock.com

How many arguments will it take?

There are many reasons to reduce car use in cities, and yet traffic reduction policies seem to remain controversial and unpopular. Systems thinking and understanding how to communicate the multiple and complex set of impacts will help push forward urban transformations that reduce car dependency.

Photo: © Joko P/ Shutterstock.com

Global resilience by empowering communties: the “Early Warnings for All” intiative at COP28

The urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts has never been more apparent, and the “Early Warnings for All” initiative stands at the forefront of global efforts to enhance resilience against meteorological risks. At COP28, the initiative received significant attention.

Photo: ©Roman Samborskyi/ Shutterstock.com

Opportunity to address gaps in the NEC directive

The EU NEC Directive sets national targets to reduce emissions of five key pollutants. Article 13 of the directive mandates a review before the end of 2025.

Euro 7 sets minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid vehicles. However, these are only marginally more demanding than current voluntary commitments from car manufacturers. Photo: © Scharfsinn/ Shutterstock.com

European Parliament approves watered-down Euro 7 rules

The European Parliament approved a deal on the revised Euro 7 emissions rules for cars, trucks, and buses in March. However, the decision remains controversial, with stakeholders divided on whether it goes too far or not far enough in combating emissions.

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Hit or miss: Ammonia as a climate-friendly fuel

In the quest for a clean shipping fuel, ammonia is emerging as an unexpected hero. Made from air and water using renewable electricity, it promises near-zero emissions. According to the IMO and IEA, ammonia's future potential is significant—but there are some caveats.

Photo: © Visual Generation/ Shutterstock.com

A walk in the woods: summarising the state of Swedish forests

Almost 70 percent of Sweden's land area is covered by forests. In this article, the writer explores the significance of these forests for people, communities, and biodiversity as well as highlighting how they are utilised and managed today.

Photo: © SSokolov/ Shutterstock.com

Bulgarian forests – biodiversity under threat

Forests cover more than a third of Bulgaria’s territory. However, they face numerous challenges, such as poor management, illegal logging and the effects of climate change.

Carbon measurements in old-growth forests

The environmental movement often hails old-growth forests as saviours of the climate, whereas the forestry industry argues that it is young, growing forests that soak up carbon dioxide. We followed along as the exhalations of an old forest were measured – using steel cages and gas masks.

Denmark introduces tax on farm emissions

The Danish government is proposing a climate tax on livestock emissions. Farmers will pay 16 euros per ton of CO2e in 2030, with the rate increasing to 40 euros by 2035.

Mesocosms are enclosed environments that allow a small part of a natural environment to be observed under controlled conditions. Photo: © Visual Generation/ Shutterstock.com

Boosting climate policy with aquatic research

Ocean acidification and environmental change in lakes were the most frequently cited topics by the IPCC and IPBES, according to a recent impact assessment of AQUACOSM-plus, an EU-funded project focused on experimental research in aquatic environments.

EU needs to align power grids with climate goals

Scenario calls for a 131% increase in European power grid transmission capacity by 2035 to accomodate full phase-out of coal and fossil gas.

Plan to fast-track renewable energy deployment in the EU

To boost renewable energy adoption, the European Commission has introduced new guidelines for Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs). However, a recent report shows many countries are unprepared for RAA designation and sensitivity mapping.

Main menu

Low-emission zones reduce child asthma

In this issue

A major step toward cleaner air in the EU

Editorial: Fighting for the right to clean air

How many arguments will it take?

Global resilience by empowering communties: the “Early Warnings for All” intiative at COP28

Opportunity to address gaps in the NEC directive

European Parliament approves watered-down Euro 7 rules

Hit or miss: Ammonia as a climate-friendly fuel

A walk in the woods: summarising the state of Swedish forests

Bulgarian forests – biodiversity under threat

Carbon measurements in old-growth forests

Denmark introduces tax on farm emissions

Boosting climate policy with aquatic research

EU needs to align power grids with climate goals

Plan to fast-track renewable energy deployment in the EU

Publications

Addressing challenges in the land sector under the Paris Agreement

SINK OR SOURCE? Northern Forests at a crossroads

The role of northern forests in limiting warming to 1.5°C

Protecting Northern Forests crucial for biodiversity, the climate and indigenous rights

The 100 largest industry emitters in EU-27

Road to Nowhere

Bioenergy CCS – too little, too expensive, and not net negative

Direct air carbon capture and storage - A waste of time and energy

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Air pollution

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