No. 2 June 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Uganda introduces air quality standards
In May 2024, the new (Uganda) National Environment Air Quality Standards Reglations of 2024 have set heavy fines and jail terms for those found guilty of air pollution such as the burning of waste.Furthermore, the dirtiest vehicles ...
Taiwan improves standard for fine particles
Taiwan is tightening its standards for PM2.5. The Ministry of Environment in Taiwan will adjust its PM2.5 target from 15 to 12 micrograms per cubic metre. The change is based on the findings of an eight-year study ...
Ethiopia lead with ban on fossil cars
Ethiopia became the first country worldwide to ban the import of non electric vehicles (internal combustion engine cars) completely. The ban was confirmed on 29 January 2024 and the reasons are that it is becoming ...
USA up for cleaner air
In February 2024 the US Environmental Protection Agency finalised the new National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM2.5, reducing the limit from 12.0 µg/m3 to 9.0 µg/m3.
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.
Air pollution biggest global killer
In the recent Global Burden of Disease, particulate matter air pollution was the leading contributor to the global disease burden in 2021, contributing 8% of total DALYs, followed by high systolic blood pressure and smoking.
Urging World Bank to invest in cleaner air.
On 11 April 2024, the Our Common Air Commission launched a call for global financial institutions to invest in clean air programmes. Our Common Air is a global commission of high-level government figures, renowned health experts ...
Scrubbers are harmful – and expensive
Ships are required by international regulations to limit their emissions of air pollutants. Instead of using less-polluting fuels ...
Climate justice for the oceans in “landmark” legal statement
Recently, The Guardian and many other media reported that the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Itlos) has stated that states have a legal responsibility to control greenhouse gases which are to be viewed as pollutants.
66 million years of CO2 data reveals future climate risks
A new study suggests that a doubling of CO2 could warm the planet by up to 8ºC. It also indicates that the last time CO2 levels matched today's levels was 14 million years ago.
UN Chief: “1.5°C limit still possible, but not for long ”
The IPCC fifth assessment report that was finalised last year clearly stated that there is still a window to limit temperature rise to the 1.5°C target agreed in Paris in 2015.
Trillions of dollars in damages each year due to climate change
Even if CO2 emissions were to be drastically cut down starting today, the world economy is already committed to an income reduction of 19% by 2050 due to climate change, a new study published in “Nature” finds.