UNEP: Actions on air quality

A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) lists ten basic measures to improve air quality. It shows that the majority of countries worldwide are still to adopt these air quality policy actions, but highlights many good examples that can be followed to spark worldwide action. It points out that while policies and standards on clean fuels and vehicles could reduce emissions by 90 per cent, only 29 per cent of countries worldwide have adopted Euro 4 emission standards or above.

The report “Actions on Air Quality” and infographics

In this issue

Paris changes everything

The Paris Agreement constitutes a global turning point away from fossil fuels and toward 100% renewable energy.

Editorial: No viable future for coal anywhere

The UN climate conference in Paris last December decided to limit the temperature increase to well below 2°C/1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Paths to a sustainable agricultural system

An integrated food and agricultural policy and changes in consumption patterns are holistic approaches needed to tackle emissions from agriculture.

Targets aren’t enough, but gap can be closed

Europe’s solar and wind initiatives, if both implemented, could increase Europe’s climate target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 to 60%.

Coal kills across borders

Every coal-fired power station switched off will bring great benefits that reach beyond national borders, for both human health and the climate.

Europe’s biggest polluters

Polish lignite plant Belchatow and British coal plant Drax dominate Europe’s most polluting point sources in 2014.

A phase-out plan for coal in Europe

Very old and high-emitting plants are easy to replace with renewables and improvements in energy efficiency.

Lignite power developments in Europe

Several European countries are investing in lignite mining, despite the fact that the industry faces declining profit margins in competition with low-carbon energy production.

New watered-down EU air pollution targets

Compared to the Commission’s proposal, the relaxed targets finally agreed by member states and parliament will result in thousands of additional cases of premature death.

10 countries still breach EU’s air pollution limits

Nitrogen oxides from transport and ammonia from agriculture are still being emitted above the legal limits of the NEC directive.

Many ways to cut ship NOx emissions

Establishing NOx Emission Control Areas would significantly reduce ship NOx emissions by 2040 – introducing economic instruments could cut emissions faster and further.

OECD warns of rising costs of air pollution

Outdoor air pollution could cause up to nine million premature deaths a year by 2060 and cost US$ 3.3 trillion annually as a result of sick days, healthcare expenditure and reduced agricultural output, unless action is taken.

Main menu

UNEP: Actions on air quality

In this issue

Paris changes everything

Editorial: No viable future for coal anywhere

Paths to a sustainable agricultural system

Targets aren’t enough, but gap can be closed

Coal kills across borders

Europe’s biggest polluters

A phase-out plan for coal in Europe

Lignite power developments in Europe

New watered-down EU air pollution targets

10 countries still breach EU’s air pollution limits

Many ways to cut ship NOx emissions

OECD warns of rising costs of air pollution

Publications

Addressing challenges in the land sector under the Paris Agreement

SINK OR SOURCE? Northern Forests at a crossroads

The role of northern forests in limiting warming to 1.5°C

Protecting Northern Forests crucial for biodiversity, the climate and indigenous rights

The 100 largest industry emitters in EU-27

Road to Nowhere

Bioenergy CCS – too little, too expensive, and not net negative

Direct air carbon capture and storage - A waste of time and energy

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

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