Towards a pollution-free planet

In early December, world governments committed to a pollution-free planet at the third United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-3) in Nairobi, Kenya, with resolutions and pledges promising to improve the lives of billions across the globe by cleaning up our air, land and water.

A new resolution on preventing and reducing air pollution to improve air quality globally recognises that air pollution is “the single greatest environmental risk to health”, linked to an estimated 6.5 million premature deaths across the world, and says that “in the absence of aggressive intervention, the number of premature deaths due to ambient air pollution are estimated to be on track to increase by more than 50% by 2050”. It urges countries to take action across sectors to reduce all forms of air pollution.

Source: United Nations Environment, 6 December 2017.

The resolutions: https://papersmart.unon.org/resolution/index

In this issue

Below 1.5 – to Stay Alive

“1.5 to Stay Alive” is the rallying call from the Caribbean region for the global community to take action now in the UN during 2018. A film with that message will be submitted to the Talanoa dialogue by AirClim.

Editorial: Europe should decarbonise its economy by 2030

Most governments and civil society are aware that the national and international reduction commitments for greenhouse gases ...

Black carbon emissions from global shipping

New studies show how much ships contribute to emissions of soot particles and the measures available to cut those emissions.

Denmark to expose sulphur-cheating ships

Shipping companies not complying with fuel sulphur limits will be publicly named and shamed under new Danish government plans.

IMO moves to ban carriage of high-sulphur marine fuel

Implementing the global lower-sulphur fuel requirement will reduce ship emissions related to premature mortality and morbidity by 34 and 54 per cent, respectively.

Development of Kyoto GHG emissions in Europe 1990 to 2015

Greenhouse gas emissions in Europe are falling rapidly in some countries and not at all in others. The great variation geographically and over time show that much more can be done.

Climate forcers that increase or decrease warming

The net effect of climate forcers not covered by the Kyoto Protocol is global cooling. Emissions of those climate forcers decreased between 1990 and 2015 in Europe.

Europeans expect to cut back on meat

New policies, health concerns and innovative food businesses can all contribute to reducing the climate footprint of European dinner tables.

Poland and Bulgaria challenge EU air pollution law

Threat to annul new emission limits for coal-fired power plants that could save more than 20,000 lives every year.

Courts require action to clear the air

Member states that fail to protect people’s health will – eventually – end up in court, and persistent failure is likely to become very, very costly.

Greenwashing of farm payments

The EU spends 12 billion euro a year on “greening” – a reform that is intended to mainstream environmental practices in agriculture but delivers close to nothing.

Possible to phase out the climate impact of road traffic in 15 years

Taxes, regulations, fuel switches, electrification and climate-conscious social planning is the recipe if the Nordic and Baltic states is going to abolish GHG emissions from road traffic.

The Nordic-Baltic Region can be decarbonised by 2030

Zero carbon emissions by 2030 can be achieved in the electricity, heat and industrial sectors without nuclear power and without CCS, according to new report from AirClim.

Ecosystems hit by air pollutant fallout

Three-quarters of EU ecosystems are currently exposed to more nitrogen deposition than they can cope with and nearly one-tenth is still receiving too much acid fallout.

Sustainably feeding the Nordics

It is possible to feed 37 million in the Nordic countries on food mostly produced within the region using organic practices. This would come with a significant reduction in the environmental footprint from food consumption

The communal deficits of German lignite usage

For a successful phase-out of coal in Germany, it is important to understand the dependence of mining and industrial communities on lignite.

Towards a pollution-free planet

In this issue

Below 1.5 – to Stay Alive

Editorial: Europe should decarbonise its economy by 2030

Black carbon emissions from global shipping

Denmark to expose sulphur-cheating ships

IMO moves to ban carriage of high-sulphur marine fuel

Development of Kyoto GHG emissions in Europe 1990 to 2015

Climate forcers that increase or decrease warming

Europeans expect to cut back on meat

Poland and Bulgaria challenge EU air pollution law

Courts require action to clear the air

Greenwashing of farm payments

Possible to phase out the climate impact of road traffic in 15 years

The Nordic-Baltic Region can be decarbonised by 2030

Ecosystems hit by air pollutant fallout

Sustainably feeding the Nordics

The communal deficits of German lignite usage

In Breif

Evolution of ship emissions in China

Cruise ships pollute Copenhagen’s summer air

World’s biggest electric cargo ship

World’s first electric container barges

Towards a pollution-free planet

Low levels of PM linked with premature death

French incentives for less-polluting cars and heating systems

Call to halve meat and dairy consumption

100% renewables more cost effective than fossils

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

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

Do Your Bit!