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EU Commission promotes air pollution benefits of climate policy

The European Commission’s science and knowledge service explains on its website how climate policy improves air quality and saves lives. It says that “an integrated policy perspective will prevent technological lock-in and will maximise gains for global climate and local health. In December 2015, 196 parties gathered at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and signed the Paris Agreement, a joint commitment to address climate change.”

Concerning energy system transformation, it says “With our energy use as key driver of greenhouse gas emissions, the ambitious climate goals set forward in the Paris Agreement demand a fundamental rethink of energy systems across the world.

Climate policies also lead to cleaner air by transforming the energy systems across the world. A more efficient use of energy and a shift from fossil fuels to renewables are key elements in achieving co-benefits for climate and air quality.”

In addition to greenhouse gas emissions the Commission says that “energy is a key source of local air pollutants, such as particulate matter. Therefore, the transformation of energy systems needed to reach climate goals is a unique opportunity to improve air quality at the same time. Globally, avoided premature mortality by 2030 in a 2 °C scenario versus a reference scenario is estimated at  346,000 avoided premature deaths. By 2050, the number of avoided premature deaths in India would be 511,000 and in China 537,000. The website does not present the co-benefits of a 1.5 °C scenario.

Reinhold Pape

Link: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/geco/climate-policy-and-air-quality

Stop EU fossil tax subsidies to shipping

According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), the EU gives more than EUR 24 billion per year in subsidies to the maritime sector in the form of fossil fuel tax exemptions under the European Energy Tax Directive (ETD) and national tax legislation. This is estimated based on national tax rates applicable to road diesel – used by trucks – in EU member states.
Including shipping in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) would generate over EUR 3.6 billion/year in revenues, which can be reinvested into greening the EU economy, including the maritime sector. The price impact of the ETS on consumer goods will be insignificant, measured at a few euro cents, says T&E.

Source: T&E, 25 September 2019. The study: https://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/eu-shippings-€24bn-y...

Malaysia bans open-loop ship scrubbers

In a notice issued on 12 November to the shipping industry, Malaysia’s maritime department said ships are now prohibited from discharging wash water from open-loop scrubbers while operating in Malaysian waters.

Singapore and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, both major marine refuelling hubs, have banned the use of open-loop scrubbers from the start of next year. China is also set to extend a ban on scrubber discharge to more coastal regions.

Source: Reuters, 18 November 2019

London’s ULEZ cuts NO2

Since the introduction of an Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in April 2019, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations in London have been cut by a third, according to a City Hall report. Quarterly averages reveal that levels of NO₂ on roadside monitors have fallen by 36 per cent, from 89 μg/m³ in January to March 2017 to 57 μg/m³ in July to September 2019. Levels of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) have fallen only slightly, with the report saying that over half of London’s PM_2.5 is blown into the capital from outside sources.

The London Mayor Sadiq Khan plans to expand the zone’s boundary in 2021 should he be re-elected next year.

Source: Car Lines, No 9, 2019