US standards on NO2 remain

After a review of scientific evidence, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 14 July proposed to retain the current national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

The NAAQS for NO₂ are a 1-hour standard at 100 parts per billion (ppb), based on the 98th percentile of the annual distribution of daily maximum 1-hour NO₂ concentrations averaged over three years, and an annual standard at a level of 53 ppb.

More info at: www.epa.gov/no2-pollution/primary-national-ambient-air-quality-standards...

Air qualityUS

In this issue

Failure to meet NOx and NH3 limits

Eleven EU countries breached at least one of their air pollutant emission ceilings in 2015, preliminary data from the European Environment Agency shows.

Editorial: Ban dirty diesel cars

Between 1990 and 2015 the share of diesel car registrations in the EU increased dramatically, from 15 to more than 50 per cent

Dirty dozen – biggest polluters

Polish lignite plant Belchatow and British coal plant Drax continue to dominate Europe’s most polluting point sources in 2015.

Climate law adopted in Sweden

Sweden has decided on a Climate Framework, which requires the government to work towards climate targets and report annually to parliament. One target is climate neutrality by 2045, and “negative emissions” after that.

Dirty diesel also worse for the climate than petrol cars

Whilst EU regulations create an uneven playing field for diesel, fuel and vehicle taxes set at a member state level incentivise their purchase.

Ozone causes one million premature deaths

Because ozone is transported over long distances, action to reduce ozone precursor pollutants is needed at local, national, regional and global scales.

Shipping can and must do more

Greenhouse gas emissions from shipping could be cut by more than three-quarters with current technologies.

Lowered speed – less emissions

Research has shown that fleet-wide operational speed reductions can cut ship emissions of CO₂ and other harmful air pollutants by as much as 35 per cent.

Electric ferries – a revolution underway

Norway got its first battery-powered ferry two years ago. This has set a new benchmark for a sector that has previously been wholly dependent on fossil fuels.

Climate protection through a coal phase-out

A immediate start to phasing power will help Germany to reach its threatened climate target to reduce emissions by 40 per cent by 2020.

Why agriculture fails to take climate action

Abolish harmful support and subsidies, differentiate policy and communicate on-farm benefits, are some of the recommendations in a new report from OECD.

How public canteens can minimise their carbon footprint

The combined measures of buying only organic produce and excluding meat and fish from meals could reduce the carbon footprint from public meals by more than 40 per cent.

Solar and wind – an untapped resource in south-eastern Europe

There is a 740 GW potential for cost-competitive renewable power generation across South East Europe.

US standards on NO2 remain

In this issue

Failure to meet NOx and NH3 limits

Editorial: Ban dirty diesel cars

Dirty dozen – biggest polluters

Climate law adopted in Sweden

Dirty diesel also worse for the climate than petrol cars

Ozone causes one million premature deaths

Shipping can and must do more

Lowered speed – less emissions

Electric ferries – a revolution underway

Climate protection through a coal phase-out

Why agriculture fails to take climate action

How public canteens can minimise their carbon footprint

Solar and wind – an untapped resource in south-eastern Europe

In Breif

US standards on NO2 remain

Below 1.5°C the only hope for coral reefs

Climate change will force mass migration

Current air quality standards do not protect the public

Fossil gas must be phased out along with coal

Who owns the world’s coal?

Effects of coal mining in Bulgaria

New NOx deal in Norway

Public consultation on MRV for shipping

Demands for ban on combustion engine

Global ship emissions calculated

CAP not fit for purpose

11% higher methane emissions from livestock

New regulation for organic farming

Beans for beef

Cruise ships are big polluters

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

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