New multi-pollutant scrubber

The Singapore-based company Ecospec says its CSNOx scrubber is the first commercially viable solution capable of reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emitted by ships within a single system. The US classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has witnessed the testing of the scrubber system at a shore-based test rig, verifying that the system was capable of removing more than 99 per cent of SO₂, 50–80 per cent of NOx, and some 30–55 per cent of CO₂. Starting this autumn, sea trials of the scrubber system onboard tankers will be witnessed and verified by ABS and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore as part of the IMO type approval process for an exhaust gas cleaning system.

Source: Presentations by Ecospec and ABS at IMO in London, 16 July 2009

In this issue

High Noon for 2°C

The world’s nations agreed to “prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system” (Art. 2 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change¹) back in 1992. Until recently, most nations had not agreed what that meant, however.

Pollution treaty to be revised

A revised Gothenburg protocol is expected to include new national emission ceilings for 2020.

Still high ozone levels despite less air pollution

Ozone levels remain largely unchanged in many European countries, even though emissions of the air pollutants involved in ozone formation have been reduced significantly.

Ministers water down pollution legislation

EU environment ministers have agreed to water down proposals for stronger industrial pollution control.

North American ECA met by approval

The process of establishing an emission control area (ECA) off the North American shores has taken a step further.

Shipping climate policy continues to drift

Once again, the IMO has failed to adopt binding measures to reduce emissions from international shipping.

Cutting ship fuel sulphur may save 45,000 lives

Lowering the sulphur content of fuel used in shipping could prevent upwards of 45,000 premature deaths a year by reducing exposure to fine particles.

Commission scrutinizes air quality derogations

The EU Commission has approved time extensions for 19 air quality zones, but raised objections to 75 other proposed exemptions.

US to cut CO2 emissions from cars and light-duty trucks

A proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road vehicles in the USA will apply for model years from 2012.

Island states demand 95 per cent emission cuts

Island states and least developed countries agree: Rich nations have caused the problem, and should cut emissions 95 per cent by 2050.

Most rich Kyoto countries off track

Many rich countries will not be able to meet their climate commitments through active policy initiatives. Only “hot air” will do the trick.

Editorial: Bring them in

In June 2009, a coalition of environmental organisations presented a benchmark Copenhagen climate treaty. The document describes the path the world must be on to avoid catastrophic climate change, recognising that global temperature increase must be kept well below 2 degrees Celsius.