US states join forces to promote electric cars

The governors of California, New York and six other states have agreed to put 3.3 million so-called zero-emission vehicles on the road within twelve years, which they said will help the environment and boost the economy. Zero-emission vehicles include battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles. Electric vehicles will reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases and also save drivers on fuel costs over time.

The states will start by harmonising building codes to make it easier to construct electric car charging stations and will consider financial incentives to promote zero-emission vehicles. The governors of Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont also signed the agreement.

Source: PlanetArk, 25 October 2013

In this issue

Air pollution levels still much too high

More than 95 per cent of the EU’s urban citizens are exposed to levels of PM_2.5 and ozone higher than the reference values recommended by the World Health Organization.

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

The EU must remove unreliable monitoring methods from the MRV, ensure transparency and agree on a market-based measure to meet its climate targets for the shipping sector.

Roadmap for less-polluting vehicles

In the absence of new policies, premature deaths from vehicle-related PM exposure in urban areas will increase by 50 per cent worldwide by 2030.

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

There is potential to decrease greenhouse gases from the livestock sector by as much as 30 per cent by just improving methods and techniques – this is the conclusion of a recent report from the FAO.

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

US states join forces to promote electric cars

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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