Russia blocked Baltic Sea NOx ECA application

When environment ministers of the Baltic Sea countries came together at a HELCOM meeting in Copenhagen in early October, it was anticipated that they would finally agree to proceed with the designation of the Baltic Sea as a NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) under the MARPOL Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

A principal agreement on the issue was reached back in 2010, and all the preparatory groundwork, including a final application text, has been in place since late 2011. Moreover, a draft ministerial declaration was prepared, saying that an application for NOx ECA designation should be sent to the IMO so that it could be considered at its forthcoming session in early April 2014.

But Russia firmly blocked any such moves. After lengthy negotiations the meeting concluded by recalling the earlier commitment regarding the designation, i.e. that the application to the IMO would be submitted at some undecided time in the future. Paradoxically, it was also stressed that the achievement of a Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication relies on additional emission reduction efforts by the shipping sector.

Sources: HELCOM press release, 3 October 2013 and Miljörapporten Direkt, 4 October 2013.

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Editorial: The year of air

We are now approaching the end of 2013, the year declared by environment commissioner Janez Potočnik as the year of air and the year when the European Commission is to present its new clean air strategy.

Massive dash for coal in Turkey

Ignoring its significant solar power potential, Turkey is planning a huge increase in coal burning with up to 86 new coal-fired plants in the pipeline.

Proposal not enough to meet ship CO2 target

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Roadmap for less-polluting vehicles

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European emissions keep on slowly shrinking

Sulphur emissions show the biggest reductions, while there is much less improvement for ammonia and particulate matter. Cuts in land-based emissions are countered by rising emissions from international shipping.

Livestock behind 7.1 gigatonnes of GHGs

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Climate policy targets for 2020 – is the EU on track?

The European Union as a whole has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 18-27 per cent between 1990 and 2012. To achieve 20 percent reductions by 2020 will be an easy walk.

Carbon dioxide causes 80% of global warming

Radiative forcing increased by 32 per cent between 1990 and 2012, of wich 25 per cent is due to carbon dioxide. The remaining is from other greenhouse gases.

Global warming unequivocal

The first IPPC carbon budget to limit global warming to 2 degrees will be exceeded in three decades with current rate of carbon dioxide emissions.

Anti-coal movement in Europe is growing

New coal power stations are planned to be built around Europe, but there is also growing resistance in many countries including Germany, Poland and Czech Republic.

Watered down car deal

A one-year delay in implementation and an extension of super credits was the result when member states and the European Parliament renegotiated a CO₂ deal for cars.

Energy, climate and air quality policy synergies

Significant co-benefits can be realised for health, ecosystems and the economy by linking climate change policies with those for air pollution control and energy security.

Main menu

Russia blocked Baltic Sea NOx ECA application

In this issue

Air pollution levels still much too high

Editorial: The year of air

Massive dash for coal in Turkey

Proposal not enough to meet ship CO2 target

Roadmap for less-polluting vehicles

European emissions keep on slowly shrinking

Livestock behind 7.1 gigatonnes of GHGs

Climate policy targets for 2020 – is the EU on track?

Carbon dioxide causes 80% of global warming

Global warming unequivocal

Anti-coal movement in Europe is growing

Watered down car deal

Energy, climate and air quality policy synergies

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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