WHO: Air pollution rising in cities

More than 80 per cent of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. All regions of the world are affected, but people in low-income cities suffer the worst effects. Some 98 per cent of cities in low- and middle-income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet the WHO air quality guidelines. In high-income countries, that figure decreases to 56 per cent of cities.

These figures come from the WHO’s recent update of its global urban ambient air pollution database. Data from a total of 795 cities in 67 countries was compared for levels of small and fine particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) between 2008 and 2013. Over these six years, global urban air pollution levels increased by eight per cent, despite improvements in some regions.

PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 include pollutants such as sulphates, nitrates and black carbon, which penetrate deep into the lungs and into the cardiovascular system, posing the greatest risks to human health.

According to the database, levels of PM_2.5 are highest in India, which has 16 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities. China has improved since 2011 and now has only five cities in the top 30. Nine other countries, including Pakistan and Iran, have one city each in the worst 30.

“It is crucial for city and national governments to make urban air quality a health and development priority,” said Dr Carlos Dora, co-ordinator of the WHO’s Interventions for Healthy Environments programme. “When air quality improves, health costs from air-pollution-related diseases shrink, worker productivity expands and life expectancy grows.”

The WHO database, including a summary, is at: www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/databases/cities/en

In this issue

IMO confirms 2020 date

Implementing the global rule to restrict the sulphur content in marine fuel oil to 0.5 per cent will cut shipping SO2 emissions by nearly 80 per cent and prevent more than 100,000 annual premature deaths.

Editorial: Global sulphur cap in 2020

It is now finally settled that the global cap of 0.5 per cent for the sulphur content of the fuel oil used by ships will apply from 1 January 2020.

End derogations for polluting coal plants

Effective regulation of air pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants could prevent 20,000 premature deaths every year.

A Europe powered only with renewable energy

This vision was launched in 1992 from within the world-leading power equipment company ABB.

Small is beautiful

“Small is beautiful” was the catchphrase of the alternative energy movement of the 1970s.

Initiative to boost soil carbon

In Paris an initiative called “4 per 1000” was signed by 25 countries, with the aim to protect and increase carbon stocks in soil and to develop accounting and safeguard criteria.

Multiple actions needed to reduce food emissions

Reducing consumption of meat, dairy and eggs by three quarters in the EU will lead to reductions of 44 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions from the food sector, but other efforts are also needed to reach a 2-degree target.

Climate target for agriculture

A new study proposes that the agricultural sector needs to reduce emissions by 1 billion tonnes of CO₂e per year by 2030 to contribute to the 2°C target.

Air pollution costs trillions

Premature deaths due to air pollution cause annual global costs of about US$225 billion in lost work days, and more than US$5 trillion in welfare losses, according to a new study.

Germany’s slow decarbonisation

Germany must still eliminate 145 Mt of annual greenhouse gas emissions to achieve its 2020 climate target, 16 per cent below current levels.

Proposed gas strategy is a gamble with the climate

The EU, Norway and Russia are all promoting fossil gas as a long-term clean and sustainable energy solution. “There’s no such thing as clean gas”, says Friends of the Earth Europe.

Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

The EU should seize the opportunity to replace ageing and end-of-life coal-fired plants with renewable energy sources.

Unique oppurtunity for Ukraine

The changed geopolitical situation in Ukraine has led to an energy crisis, and the country is now at a crossroads: sticking with coal and nuclear power or investing in renewables?

Greening transport with more electric vehicles

A large scale roll-out of electric cars on EU roads would result in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower levels of certain air pollutants.

New diesel cars still emit up to 15 times too much NOx

Over four in five Euro 5 diesel cars produce more than three times their laboratory limit value for NOx when driven on the road, and two-thirds of Euro 6 diesel cars still emit more than three times their limit.

European emission trends updated

Overall air pollutant emissions keep on slowly shrinking – sulphur emissions show the biggest reductions, while there is much less improvement for ammonia and particulate matter.

Industry does not need CCS

Swedish steel group SSAB, the country’s top CO₂ emitter, foregoes CCS. It opts to replace coal with hydrogen. The cement industry and refineries also show low-CO₂ potential soon, and without CCS.

NOAA: Reefs are boiled to death

The soaring temperature of the oceans is the “greatest hidden challenge of our generation”and global coral bleaching continues for a third year due to global warming.

Main menu

WHO: Air pollution rising in cities

In this issue

IMO confirms 2020 date

Editorial: Global sulphur cap in 2020

End derogations for polluting coal plants

A Europe powered only with renewable energy

Small is beautiful

Initiative to boost soil carbon

Multiple actions needed to reduce food emissions

Climate target for agriculture

Air pollution costs trillions

Germany’s slow decarbonisation

Proposed gas strategy is a gamble with the climate

Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

Unique oppurtunity for Ukraine

Greening transport with more electric vehicles

New diesel cars still emit up to 15 times too much NOx

European emission trends updated

Industry does not need CCS

NOAA: Reefs are boiled to death

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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Air pollution

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