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News 2007 New directive to cut industrial emissions 21 December 2007 The European Commission adopted today a proposal for a directive on industrial emissions. The Proposal recasts seven existing directives related to industrial emissions into a single clear and coherent legislative instrument. The recast includes in particular the IPPC Directive. The IPPC Directive has been in place for over 10 years and the Commission has undertaken a two year review with all stakeholders to examine how it, and the related legislation on industrial emissions, can be improved.
Directive for cleaner trucks and buses proposed
Web link: European Commission, press release Aviation emissions plan could derail international climate targets 20 December 2007
- T&E press release
European Commission stalls on cars and climate change 19 December 2007 The European Commission today proposed legislation to reduce the average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars to 130 grams per kilometre by 2012.
Jos Dings, director of T&E said, "In 1995 Europe recognised the need for a long term target for CO2 emissions from new cars of 120g/km. Today, twelve years on, the Commission has not only failed to come forward with a new long term target but weakened the existing one." Web links:
Counting the cost of climate change
Web link: EEA press release
US sets terms for climate talks 15 December 2007 Delegates at the UN summit in Bali have agreed a deal on curbing climate change after days of bitter wrangling. Agreement was reached after a U-turn from the US, which had wanted firmer commitments from developing countries. Environment groups said they were disappointed by the lack of firm targets for reducing emissions.
California wins global warming clean cars lawsuit 12 December 2007 A federal judge has rejected an auto industry lawsuit challenging California’s rules requiring automakers to build cars that emit less greenhouse gases. The ruling means that the last remaining hurdle for the state to implement the clean cars rules is for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant California routine permission to enforce them. EPA has granted the state permission to enforce its air pollution rules for cars more than 50 times in the past, but it has sat on California’s latest request for nearly two years, prompting the state to sue EPA in a separate lawsuit. Web link: Natural Resources Defense Council
MEPs set maximum concentration of microparticles 11 December 2007
EEB, the European Environmental Bureau, sees the agreement as a messy legislative text providing little clear guidance to national and local authorities for cleaning the air in our cities. John Hontelez, EEB’s SecretaryGeneral, said, "Initially, this Directive was proposed to simplifyexisting air quality laws. It is ironic and sad that it now contains three different kinds of new exemptions, including how and when limit values for harmful particulate matter apply and what counts as pollution. This is not better regulation – it is more confusing regulation. It would have been better if the four old Directives addressing air quality were implemented correctly and on time.” Web links: Climate change speeds up Amazon’s destruction A vicious cycle of climate change and deforestation could wipe out or severely damage nearly 60 per cent of the Amazon forest by 2030, says WWF. The WWF report, The Amazon's Vicious Cycles: Drought and Fire in the Greenhouse, reveals the dramatic consequences for the local and global climate as well as the impacts on people’s livelihoods in South America. From now to 2030, deforestation in the Amazon could release 55.5 to 96.9 billion tons of CO2. At the upper end this is more than two years of global greenhouse gas emission. In addition, the destruction of the Amazon would also do away with one of the key stabilizers of the global climate system. Web link: WWF news
Several EU members to miss 2010 air pollutant targets A number of EU Member States are likely to miss legally-binding 2010 emission targets for four important air pollutants, according to the 'NEC Directive status report 2006' from the EEA. The report is based on the latest data officially reported by member states. The NEC Directive sets pollutant-specific and legally-binding emission ceilings (targets) for each country to be met by 2010. It also lays down the requirements for the member states to annually report their latest air emission data and their projected emission estimates for the year 2010. Each year the EEA publishes a summary of this information. The most recent data shows that only 11 Member States (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and the United Kingdom) presently expect to meet their respective national ceilings defined in the Directive. The remaining thirteen Member States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) project to miss ceilings for at least one of the four pollutants if additional actions to reduce emissions are not taken. Web link: European Environment Agency (EEA)
Bali talks to seek global climate deal in 2009
Clean energy investment in developing countries must do better One out of five emission reductions credits sold under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) lack environmental integrity, according to WWF. Created by the Kyoto Protocol, the CDM allows industrialized countries to partly meet their own greenhouse gas reduction targets by financing emission reducing projects in developing countries. These projects must be additional to emission reduction schemes that would have taken place in the absence of the mechanism. WWF’s new report, "Is the CDM fulfilling its environmental and sustainable development objectives?", suggests that 20% of emission reductions certified under the initiative may have happened even without CDM financing. Furthermore, the report shows that the overall contribution of the CDM to sustainable development, strongly required by Kyoto rules, is worryingly low.
Climate change traps world's poorest 27 November 2007 Climate change could have a disastrous impact for the world's poorest people and reverse any gains made in poverty reduction, nutrition, health and education, warns the annual United Nations Human Development Report released today.
Emissions of industrialized countries rose to all time high 20 November 2007 The total greenhouse gas emissions of 40 industrialized countries rose to a near all-time high in 2005, continuing the upward trend of the year before, aqccording to data submitted to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The increases in emissions came from both the continued growth in highly industrialized countries and the revived economic growth in former East bloc nations. At the sectoral level, emissions from the transport sector grew at the highest rate. Web link: UN FCCC Press release
US states call for power plant emissions cuts 20 November 2007 Reducing power plant emissions achieves fewer deaths, fewer respiratory and heart-related hospital admissions and emergency room visits, decreases in school absences, and higher worker productivity, a new study by the Ozone Transport Commission has found. The organization of 12 northeastern and mid-Atlantic states is asking the U.S. EPA to require deeper emission cuts from power generators. Web link: ENS Newswire
17 November 2007 Delegates at the 27th session of the Interngovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), meeting in Valencia, Spain, has reached agreement on a 26-page summary document about the risks of warming, blamed mainly on human burning of fossil fuels, after several days of talks.
Web links: - BBC News - Planet Ark (Reuters) - Summary for Policymakers of the AR4 Synthesis Report (IPCC, pdf 6.5 MB)
CARMA - Carbon Monitoring for Action For the first time, the carbon dioxide emissions of the world's 50,000 power plants have been compiled into a massive new database called CARMA - Carbon Monitoring for Action. CARMA includes more than 50,000 power plants, 4,000 power companies, and nearly 200,000 geographic regions in every country on Earth. Users can view carbon emissions data for the year 2000, the present, and future plans. Web link: CARMA
Increasing climate divide between carmakers French, Italian and Japanese carmakers extended their lead over German rivals last year in the race to deliver fuel efficient and low emission vehicles, according to new figures published today by Transport and Environment (T&E). Of the major car producing countries in Europe, in 2006 German groups actually increased emissions of carbon dioxide from new cars sold by 0.6% on average. In contrast, French and Italian groups cut emissions by an average of 1.6%. Despite the overall increase in emissions from German producers, a split has emerged within the country's car industry. BMW AG reduced average emissions by 2.5% but that improvement was more than offset by the two largest German groups DaimlerChrysler (now called Daimler) and Volkswagen AG who saw increases of 2.8% and 0.9% respectively. Japanese carmakers made significant progress in 2006, achieving 2.8% cuts on average. According to the EU data, Toyota made the biggest improvement of any major car manufacturing group in 2006 with the average vehicle sold in 2006 emitting 5% less CO2 than the previous year. Only groups that sold over 200,000 vehicles in Europe in 2006 were included in the study. The figures, based on sales in Europe in 2006, are derived from official EU monitoring data obtained by T&E under laws granting access to official documents. Web link: Transport and Environment (T&E)
High concentrations despite drop in emissions 13 November 2007 Concentrations of ozone and particulate matter have not improved since 1997 despite substantial cuts in emissions of air pollutants across Europe, says a new report from EEA, the European Environment Agency. High PM and ozone levels in the air, as observed in 2003, can partly be explained by weather conditions. Other causes of this phenomenon could include additional pollution coming from natural sources and pollution transported from countries outside Europe, the report says. Key points of the report:
Web link: Air pollution in Europe 1990–2004. EEA report No 2/2007.
Ship emissions causing 60,000 deaths a year A scientific article published by the journal Environmental Science & Technology shows that the number of people dying from heart and lung disease as a result of under-regulated shipping emissions totaled 60,000 in 2002, and that death toll is estimated to grow by 40 per cent by 2012 due to continued large increase in global shipping traffic. "Ship pollution affects the health of communities in coastal and inland regions around the world, yet pollution from ships remain one of the least regulated parts of our global transportation system," said Dr. James Corbett, associate professor of marine policy at the University of Delaware and lead author of the report. "With more than half the world's population living in coastal regions and freight growth outpacing other sectors, shipping emissions will need to meet stricter control targets." The US NGO Clean Air Task Force has estimated a first-order social cost of shipping’s premature death toll as found in the study. Using cost methodology employed by U.S. EPA to value the benefits of particulate emission reductions, CATF estimates that the 60,000 annual death toll from oceangoing ships currently costs more than $330 billion per year, with premature deaths increasing with projected freight growth to cost more than $460 billion annually by 2012. Cleanup costs pale in comparison. Web link: Clean Air Task Force
Rich nations' climate emissions near record Rich nations' greenhouse gas emissions rose near to an all-time high in 2005, led by US and Russian gains despite curbs meant to slow global warming, UN data showed. Total emissions by 40 leading industrial nations edged up to 18.2 billion tonnes in 2005 from 18.1 billion in 2004 and were just 2.8 per cent below a record 18.7 billion in 1990, according to the UN Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn. Since 2000, greenhouse gas emissions has increased by 2.6 per cent. Web link:Planet Ark (Reuters) Climate protection will lead to savings of five billion euro 1 November 2007 The German government’s climate protection programme - to cut carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2020 relative to 1990 - will lead to savings of five billion euro in private households and industry by 2020. This is the finding of the interim report on a cost-benefit analysis of the government’s integrated energy and climate programme. According to the study, the measures adopted by the German cabinet will lead to savings of over 36 billion euro for coal, oil and gas. In contrast, the additional costs for corresponding investments will amount to only 31 billion euro. On average, every tonne of CO2 saved has a saving effect of 26 euro ("negative avoidance costs"). "We would be wasting money were we not to implement the Meseberg decisions on climate and energy policy in full," commented German Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. Web link: German Federal Environment Ministry press release
Ozone set to harm crops and economy Ground-level ozone could cut up to 12 per cent off the value of global crops by 2100 and hurting the world economy. Without curbs on emissions, growing fuel combustion worldwide will push global average ozone up 50 per cent by 2100, said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists whose research was published in November's journal Energy Policy. Without emissions' curbs, forest and pasture yields will decline slightly or in some cases grow because of the warmer climate and carbon dioxide effects, but crop yields would fall by nearly 40 percent worldwide, the study said. That does not translate directly into economic losses. The world would adapt by expanding the amount of land for crops, Reilly said. But the cost of doing so would shave 10-12 percent off the total value of crop production, he added. The damage varies by region. United States, China and Europe would need to import more food. Web links: EU emissions trading cap for 2008-2012 set at 2.08 billion allowances The European Commission today adopted the decisions on the proposed Bulgarian national plans for allocating carbon dioxide (CO2) emission allowances for 2007 and the 2008-2012 trading period of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The cleared annual allocation for Bulgaria for 2008-2012 is 42.3 million tonnes of CO2 allowances, 37.4 per cent less than proposed. The decision finalises the assessment process for the second trading period. The EU-wide cap for 2008 to 2012 has now been fixed at 2.08 billion allowances per year, a reduction in the number of allowances wanted by governments in the second period by 10 per cent. The Commission only accepted proposed emissions quotas for the next phase of the scheme, from 2008-12, for Britain, France, Slovenia and Denmark, in an approval process which started last year and ended on Friday with the last two decisions, to cut emissions for Bulgaria and Romania. Web links: European Parliament u-turn on cars and climate 24 October 2007 Hopes of achieving a step change in the fuel efficiency of Europe's cars have been hampered today by a vote in the European Parliament according to a press release from T&E, the European Federation for Transport and Environment. In a non-binding vote on a report into the future regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from cars, the Parliament said the average new car should emit no more than 125 grams of CO2 per kilometer by 2015. In terms of emissions reduction per year, that target is 40% weaker than the existing EU target of 120g/km by 2012 and 20% weaker than the European Commission proposal of 130g/km by 2012 announced in February. Today's move represents a u-turn by MEPs as the Parliament has repeatedly pledged its support for the long-standing 120g target by 2012. The latest pledge came in a resolution on climate change of 14 February that called for that target to be made legally-binding. Web link: T&E press release.
Substantial drop in EU road fuel sulphur levels 19 October 2007
Under the directive member states were obliged to reduce the sulphur content of petrol and diesel fuels to 50 parts per million (ppm) by 2005. They must then cut this level to less than 10ppm ("sulphur-free") by 2009. The report shows that all member states complied with the 2005 limits except Poland and Malta. Across the EU in that year sulphur levels averaged 19ppm in petrol and 25ppm in diesel. Some member states have switched to sulphur-free fuels ahead of the 2009 deadline, among them Denmark, Finland, Germany and Sweden.
Only strict binding emissions limits for cars will enable EU to meet targets 18 October 2007 Only with strict limit values for passenger cars will the EU be able to meet its overall CO2 reduction target, according to a study by the German consultancy CPC-Berlin, made for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament. The study gives a comparison of the actual CO2 reductions that would be achieved through the different emissions limit values currently under debate, which reveals that only with a 120 g/km limit for 2012 and a strong follow-up limit value in 2020, will the necessary emissions reductions from passenger cars be achieved. The EU will have to reduce its overall emissions by around 830 million tonnes if it is to meet its base target of a 20% reduction by 2020. Given passenger cars already account for around 12% of overall EU CO2 emissions, this means the sector will have to reduce its CO2 emissions by 80-100 million tonnes. The limit values being proposed by car makers and by the Commission would fall far short from delivering this reduction. The study also shows how the necessary reductions can be achieved using existing technology and dispels the myth of the ‘integrated approach’ to emissions reductions being propagated by the automobile industry. Web links:
Commission takes action over levels of sulphur dioxide and PM10 in member states The European Commission is taking action over harmful levels of air pollution in EU member states. It has started infringement procedures against France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia and the UK for exceeding EU limits on ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide. The Commission is also asking 23 member states to provide information on the measures they are taking to reduce the levels of airborne particles known as PM10 to meet EU standards. Some 70% of European towns and cities with 250,000 inhabitants or more have reported exceeding the PM10 limits in at least part of their area. EU limit values for sulphur dioxide, PM10 and several other pollutants were agreed in a 1999 directive. Web link: Press release from the Commission.
Legacies of the past offer opportunities for a sustainable future Breaking the link between economic growth and its environmental impacts is one of the key challenges facing economies in South East Europe, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, says a new report, released at the Sixth Ministerial Conference 'Environment for Europe' taking place in Belgrade.
Ministers must join forces to achieve a healthy environment for the pan-European region 10 October 2007 Environmental policy across the pan-European region is hampered by gaps in information and implementation according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report. The report, 'Europe's environment — The fourth assessment', was presented in Belgrade, Serbia, at the opening session of the sixth ministerial conference of the 'Environment for Europe' process. The latest in a series of assessments of the pan-European environment published by the EEA over the past 15 years, the report assesses environmental progress in 53 countries - an area with a total population of more than 870 million people. The region includes: Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA), South East Europe (SEE), as well as Western and Central Europe (WCE). Improved implementation of existing policies and the setting of clear, realistic targets is a key recommendation of the report. However, a shared environmental information system is also urgently required to deal with a prevailing lack of reliable, accessible and comparable environmental information across the region. Web links: - Europe's environment - The fourth assessment
CO2 from cars could be halved by 2050 Professor Julia King has issued an interim report as part of her independent Review of low-carbon cars. It sets out the environmental challenge for road transport and looks at the scope for emissions savings from more efficient vehicle technologies, cleaner fuels and smart consumer choices. The initial findings of the Review are that:
The next stage of the Review will develop recommendations on how Government can play a role in decarbonising transport, reporting in early 2008. Web links:
European Parliament gives air polluters breathing space 9 October, 2007 The European Parliament’s Environment Committee today adopted a report on air quality which, if approved by Council, would postpone the existing deadlines by which member states must meet the current air quality standards which protect our health. The European Environmental Bureau, EEB, has expressed its concern at Parliament’s latest move. ”We’re dismayed that air polluters have been given five more years (until 2013) to clean up their act”, said Dragomira Raeva, EEB’s Air Policy Officer. “Environment ministers have previously said they only need three more years to achieve the approved pollution cuts. The Environment Committee’s decision sends the wrong signal to national authorities, which need urgently to improve air quality in our cities.” Parliament today also endorsed changes which would in practice allow a wide range of places to be exempted from applying air quality standards. For example, Parliament has recommended that air quality standards need not be observed in places where there is no permanent population, in workplaces, and in areas with no air quality monitors. Web link: EEB Press release
No technical obstacles to bringing international aviation and shipping under post-Kyoto Protocol 8 October 2007 Emissions of greenhouse gases from international aviation and maritime transport could be included in a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, according to a workshop in Oslo last week. The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol sets outs cuts in emissions of certain gases by 2012. Emissions from international aviation and shipping are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases. EU carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation and navigation have increased by 96 % and 50 %, respectively, between 1990 and 2005. However, both sectors are exempt from the Kyoto Protocol. Developed countries are instead requested to work through two UN bodies, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The ICAO and the IMO have had little success and there has been a great deal of debate surrounding their exclusion from the Kyoto Protocol. The Oslo workshop focused on identifying potential technical obstacles to including international aviation and shipping from future international commitments to limit climate change. The workshop found that no genuine technical obstacles existed that could not be solved. Web link: EEA press release
Transport Action Europe - make your voice heard!
Web link: www.transportactioneurope.org
Global majority wants action
Overall, 65 per cent of the 22,000 people polled in 21 countries said there was a need "to take major steps very soon" ranging from 91 per cent in Spain to 37 percent in India. In the United States 59 per cent called for urgent action and in China it was 70 per cent. Web links:
Air pollution triggers blood clots Tiny particles of air pollution - less than one tenth the width of a human hair - can trigger clotting in the blood, US researchers said on Thursday in a finding that helps explain how air pollution causes heart attacks and strokes. Web link: Planet Ark (Reuters)
UN body threatens EU aviation emissions plan 17 September 2007 For ten years, the UN body responsible for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation has failed in its duty to limit the impact of flights on climate change and now threatens EU plans for aviation emissions trading, according to a new report published today by T&E, the European Federation for Transport and Environment. Under the terms of the 1997 Kyoto protocol, responsibility for reducing emissions from international aviation was given to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN body. But over the last decade the organisation has successively failed to endorse, or issued negative statements on every serious policy option for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the sector, says T&E in a press release. On the table at the next triennial ICAO assembly in Montreal, starting this week (18-28 September), is a document giving guidance to member states on emissions trading for aviation. Though the guidance is not legally-binding, up until now the EU has had a long-standing commitment to act within the ICAO framework. Web link: T&E Press release.
Slash meat consumption to tackle climate change People in rich countries should limit their meat-eating to the equivalent of one hamburger per person per day to help stave off global warming, a study published by the Lancet on Thursday suggests.
US states can control GHG emissions from cars A federal court in Vermont today sided with the states that have adopted new clean car standards enacted by California in a decision that paves the way for new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars. These standards are expected to reduce global warming emissions from cars some 30 percent when fully implemented in 2016.
Personal Carbon Trading feasible by 2013 Plans for the world's first personal carbon trading scheme, in which people buy and sell their rights to produce pollution, are unveiled today.
Web links:
Car industry progress on climate grinds to a halt 5 September 2007 European carmakers are failing to deliver the lower carbon emissions they pledged to the European Commission in 1998, with emission rates from new cars down by just 0.2% last year, the worst performance on record. New figures published today by Transport and Environment (T&E), a sustainable transport campaign group, show new cars sold in Europe in 2006 by members of the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) emitted 160g of carbon dioxide per kilometre on average, down less than half a gram on the previous year. ACEA, which accounted for 81% of sales in Europe in 2006, committed to reach 140g/km by 2008 but will now almost certainly miss that target. The 2006 figures for Japanese manufacturers (JAMA) stood at 161g/km followed by Korean (KAMA) producers at 164g/km on average. The overall figure for all carmakers for the average new car sold in Europe in 2006 stands at 160g/km down from 161g/km in 2005, a reduction of 0.7%. Web link: Transport and Environment press release
Governments recognize need for deep emission cuts
The talks in Vienna were designed to prepare for the UN’s ministerial conference on climate change in Bali in December. The 100 countries meeting in the Austrian capital were to agree on the level of emissions cuts that are needed from industrialized countries. The current targets agreed under the Kyoto Protocol end in 2012. In Bali, environment ministers need to formally launch the negotiations that will conclude in 2009 with an agreement on new binding, deeper cuts in heat-trapping climate pollution. Governments reluctantly accepted scientific findings that these reductions must be in the range of 25 to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020. In Bali, they will have to formally adopt this. Web links: - WWF Press release
Climate talks in Vienna to prepare new global deal
Germany adopts strategy for 40-per-cent emission cut
The 30-point strategy was formally approved by Chancellor Merkel’s cabinet last week. The strategy envisages renewable energy accounting for 25-30 per cent of electricity production by 2020 against 13 per cent now. Support for combined-heat-and-power (CHP) will be increased to 750 million euro a year. Support for green renovation of old buildings will also be continued at the current level of 700 million euro per annum until 2011. For new buildings, 15 per cent of their heating will have to come from renewable sources. Other measures include a requirement that by 2020, the share of biofuels in the transport sector must equal 20 per cent. Motorway tolls on heavy lorries are to be linked more closely to their emissions. Source: ENDS Europe DAILY 2376, 27/08/07.
Climate change dominates water conference At least 2,000 water stakeholders from 140 countries are participating in the 17th annual World Water Week conference hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) from 12 to 18 August. 150 different organizations are involved in arranging seminars, side-events, meetings and workshops under the theme, "Progress and Prospects on Water: Striving for Sustainability in a Changing World."
Web links: Record heat predicted
Congestion charge returns to Stockholm
The scheme, which is legally a congestion tax, means drivers will have to pay between 10 and 20 kronor (approx 1-2 euro) every time they pass one of the electronic pay stations on the perimeter of the zone. Drivers will be charged Monday-Friday between 6:30am and 6:29pm, and the daily cost will be capped at 60 kronor per car.
- The Swedish Road Administration
US last among major countries in passenger vehicle fuel economy standards 31 July 2007
The report, "Passenger Vehicle Greenhouse Gas and Fuel Economy Standards: A Global Update”, found that in 2006, Japan increased the stringency of its fuel economy standards, while Europe is in the process of weakening its CO2 standards. As a result, Japan's standards are expected to lead to the lowest fleet average greenhouse gas emissions for new passenger vehicles in the world (125 g CO2/km) in 2015.
26 July 2007 A coal-fired power plant in Nevada has a higher emission rate of carbon dioxide than any other power plant in the United States, according to a new ranking issued today by the Environmental Integrity Project. The report ranks the 378 largest power plants in the country based on company-reported data. Web links: - Environment News Service (ENS) - Environmental Integrity Project
EU must take the lead on shipping emissions 16 July 2007 Transport and Environment (T&E) is calling on the EU to introduce measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from ships following the failure of the International Martime Organisation (IMO) to agree on any policy measures to tackle the problem. Almost ten years after the Kyoto protocol was signed, last week (9-13 July) in London, the 56th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO failed to deliver either a framework for cutting greenhouse gases or an update to weak legislation on other air pollutants from ships. Web link: T&E press release
Renewable energy 10 times cheaper than fossil fuelled future
Web link: Greenpeace and EREC press release
Europe must take adaptation measures to lessen impacts of warming
The responses will feed into the development of a Communication on adaptation to climate change to be issued by the Commission by the end of 2008.
EU greenhouse gas emissions decrease in 2005 14 June 2007 Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from the EU countries decreased between 2004 and 2005, according to the annual report prepared by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
EU-15: Emissions of GHGs decreased by 0.8% (35.2 million tonnes CO2 equivalents) between 2004 and 2005 - mainly due to decreasing emissions of carbon dioxide. Emissions of GHGs decreased by 1.5% between 1990 and 2005. EU-27: Emissions of GHGs decreased by 0.7% (37.9 million tonnes CO2 equivalents) between 2004 and 2005. Emissions of GHGs decreased by 7.9% compared to 1990 levels Web link: European Environment Agency
Healthier environments can prevent 13 million deaths worldwide
"Substantial" greenhouse gas cuts not enough 8 June 2007
The climate approaches dangerous tipping point 1 June 2007
Web link: Environment News Service, 1 June 2007. Rapid increase in world carbon emissions 23 May 2007
Five years the key to planet’s future 16 May 2007
The WWF study shows that known energy sources and proven technologies could be harnessed between now and 2050 to meet a projected doubling in global demand for energy while at the same time achieving the necessary significant drop (about 60-80 per cent) in carbon dioxide emissions to prevent dangerous climate change. The model shows for the first time that this is technically and industrially feasible. It also shows that measures must be taken within five years to bring about a reduction in global carbon dioxide emissions within the next ten years.
Web link: WWF Press release
Go-ahead to world's largest Low Emission Zone 10 May 2007 The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has approved plans from Transport for London for the implementation of a London-wide Low Emission Zone, to cut harmful emissions from the most polluting lorries, coaches and buses. The scheme is the first in the UK and the largest in the world. From February 2008 the Low Emission Zone will apply to lorries over 12 tonnes. From July 2008 lorries, buses, coaches, motorcaravans, ambulances and hearses between 3.5 tonnes and 12 tonnes will also be affected. Operators of affected lorries, buses and coaches that do not meet the Low Emission Zone standards (unless exempt or entitled to a 100% discount) will need to pay a charge of £200 for each charging day they are driven in the zone. Web link: Greater London Authority Press Release
10 May 2007 A new ranking of Europe’s worst climate-polluting power stations reveals the least efficient power stations in Europe with the biggest emissions of carbon dioxide. The WWF ranking — the Dirty Thirty — lists Greece’s Agios Dimitrios and Kardia (owned by DEH) as the dirtiest power stations, followed by Niederaußem in Germany (owned by RWE). In 2006 the “Dirty Thirty” were responsible for 393 million tonnes of CO2, which is equal to 10 per cent of all EU CO2 emissions. Web link: WWF Press release
IPCC: It is possible to stop global warming 4 May 2007 Climate experts agreed on a UN report on Friday that said fighting global warming is affordable and the technology available to slow the growth in greenhouse gas emissions and stave off climate chaos. This is the third and final report this year by the UN's intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC), and aims to set out the costs and benefits of various policies.
The report demonstrates that we can easily afford to stop climate change. Global warming can be contained at a cost of just 0.1 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product per year. In contrast, doing nothing costs up to 20 times more according to the most recent science – and human suffering would be greater than purely monetary indicators show. “It’s all there already, existing clean technologies only need to be elevated from niche to mainstream,” comments Dr Stephan Singer, head of WWF’s European Climate and Energy Programme. “Too much time has been wasted already. This report shows nothing needs to hold us back from taking the simple steps to safeguard the world’s economy and environment from climate chaos.” Web links:
CO2 from cars: Make your voice heard! 3 May 2007 The European Commission is currently evaluating different options for the design of a legislative framework to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide from new cars. Interested citizens and other stakeholders can give their view at a new “Reducing CO2 emissions from cars” website. Deadline 30 June.
Critical mid-term review of Barroso Commission 27 April 2007 Ahead of the European Commission’s own performance assessment, environmental groups today issued a critical verdict on the Commission’s record in protecting and improving Europe’s environment during the first half of its term in office, and laid out a series of recommendations for its remaining 2½ years.
Environmental groups appalled at lack of action on air pollution from international shipping 20 April 2007 Environmental groups allied with Friends of the Earth International expressed alarm this week at the lack of action by the international community to reduce harmful air pollution from ships. Two years ago, the International Maritime Organization agreed to review and create new international standards for air pollution for international shipping. These revisions were to be completed by this July 2007. However, delegates at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in London all this week were unable to agree on substantive decisions to reduce air pollution from shipping, despite the near universal agreement that such reductions are sorely needed. Instead, the IMO is considering a new schedule that will not produce a final decision on any new limits until 2008 at the earliest—in fact, even further delay is possible. Web links: - International Maritime Organization (this website)
Stakeholder consultation on IPPC review 18 April 2007
Emissions trading for shipping 'not enough' 17 April 2007 The European Commission confirmed on Monday it will propose adding emissions from ships to the European Union emissions trading scheme, according to Reuters. João Vieira of T&E, a Brussels-based sustainable transport campaign group said:
"Emissions trading alone will not be enough to seriously reduce the environmental impact of the sector. The EU's estimates for aviation, also set to be included in the system, suggest that emissions reductions through trading will be offset by less than one year's growth of the industry. With shipping the situation will be similar. We urge the EU to consider other, more effective measures such as differentiated port charges, en-route charges and fuel taxes" said Vieira. As well as carbon dioxide, shipping is a major source of other air pollutants. By 2020 ships in Europe will be responsible for more emissions of sulphur oxides , than all land-based sources put together. Web links: - Reuters
The poorest people will be hardest hit 6 April 2007 The impacts of future climate change will be mixed across regions of the world, with more than a billion people at risk of increased water stress and hundreds of millions at risk of sea-level rise. All regions will experience either declines in net benefits or increases in net costs for temperature rises greater than about 2 to 3 degrees C.
Web links: - Summary for policy makers (IPCC website, pdf 548 kB)
EPA can regulate greenhouse gas emissions 2 April 2007 The Bush administration failed to follow the requirements of the Clean Air Act when it refused to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today. The Court orders the administration to reconsider its decision, a move that could result in the first nationwide regulations aimed at tackling emissions linked to global warming.
One in ten at risk from rising seas 29 March 2007 One in 10 people in the world, mostly in Asia, live in coastal areas at risk from rising seas and more powerful storms that may be caused by global warming, an international study showed on Wednesday. Web link: Reuters / Planet Ark
Commission wants tax incentives to cut emissions 28 March 2007 The European Commission wants to promote greater use of market-based instruments to achieve environmental and other policy objectives, both at EU and national levels. A green paper published today could result in proposals for revised EU legislation. Policy areas targeted include energy taxation, water pricing, wastewater management and local air pollution. The Commission is inviting reactions to the green paper and will decide on appropriate follow-up in the light of the responses received. In particular, the Commission intends to take the reactions on the green paper for the upcoming review of the Energy Taxation Directive.
Global warming could create novel climates 27 March 2007 Many current climate zones will vanish entirely by the year 2100, replaced by climates unknown today, according to new global warming research. The greatest changes are predicted for Amazonian and Indonesian rainforests, but areas such as the southeastern and western United States, northwestern Australia, and the Arabian Peninsula also would be affected. Open Skies a 'serious setback' to EU climate policy 22 March 2007 Increased aviation growth as a result of the 'Open Skies' agreement between the EU and America could completely offset emissions reductions from integrating the sector into the EU emissions trading system (EU-ETS) according to the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E). The deal agreed by EU transport ministers also preserves a decades-old prohibition of fuel taxation on transatlantic flights, the most important measure for reducing emissions from the sector. Taxation of fuel used by American carriers within Europe is no longer illegal but will be subject to an arbitration procedure with an uncertain outcome. Jos Dings, director of T&E said: "Just two weeks after the EU announced major new climate targets, it has given away airspace to American carriers but hasn't gained a clear mandate to combat emissions from those flights. This deal is therefore a serious setback to EU climate policy." Web link: T&E press release
Southern Europe worst hit by ozone
In the last ten years ozone pollution has only been higher in 2003. The highest one-hour ozone concentration occurred in Italy. Other high hourly ozone concentrations were reported in Austria, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain.
UK plans to put 60 per cent carbon cut in law 13 March 2007 The UK Government has published a draft Climate Change Bill, and accompanying strategy, to set out a framework for moving the UK to a low-carbon economy. Key points include:
At least 20 per cent by 2020 At their Spring Council in Brussels the EU Heads of Government agreed to a greenhouse gas reduction in Europe of 20 per cent by 2020, and 30 per cent if other industrialized countries will take action. Despite resistance from countries such as France and Poland, the European Council also decided on legally binding energy consumption targets in which 20 per cent will come from renewable sources and 10 per cent from environmentally certified biofuels by 2020.
Web links: US greenhouse gases skyrocketing
Consultation on urban transport The European Commission will publish a Green Paper on Urban Transport in the second half of 2007. An internet consultation will support the preparation of the Green Paper, and is intended to collect views from interested parties on how best the EU may contribute to improving transport and mobility in urban areas.
Web link: Online consultation
Transport emissions increasing
Web link: Term 2006 report
EU cut in greenhouse gas emissions survives attacks
Despite attempts to water down the proposals, the EU Environment Council has backed a unilateral target of 20 per cent greenhouse gas reduction by 2020, and supported a 30 per cent target if other nations would make efforts to control global warming. Web link: WWF press release
Capturing and storing CO2 underground
See also Position paper on CCS from Climate Action Network Europe (pdf, November 2006)
EU plans legislation for cutting CO2 from cars The European Commission today proposed a new strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and vans sold in the EU. The present voluntary agreement will be replaced by binding legislation, forcing carmakers to reduce the average emissions from new cars sold within the Union to no more than 130 grams per kilometre by 2012, ten grammes more than than the standing target of 120 g/km set in 1996. The present average is around 163 g/km. Jos Dings, director of T&E, comments: "Not only is the car industry failing on its voluntary commitment to cut CO2 emissions, the Commission now wants to reward this failure with a weaker fuel-efficiency target. It's a very disappointing response to calls last week by the IPCC for serious action on climate change."
New IPCC assessment released
- Download the summary report (IPCC) Europe set to clean up fuels but stalls on cars 31 January 2007 Brussels, Europe has taken one step forward and one step back in the fight against global climate change today according to three leading environmental groups. BirdLife International, the European Environment Bureau (EEB) and Transport and Environment (T&E) have welcomed EU plans to introduce carbon reduction targets for transport fuels but slammed the failure to announce a legally-binding target for car fuel-efficiency following high-level intervention by the German car industry last week. Web link:
26 January 2007 Living too near a busy road could stunt a child's lung development, US research involving 3,677 children suggests. Children who lived within 500 metres of a major road, such as a motorway, were shown to have lung impairment in tests. Web link: BBC
The global energy [r]evolution 25 January 2007 The report says energy demand and emissions of carbon dioxide in 2050 could be halved compared with the International Energy Agency's business-as-usual forecast. Web link: www.energyblueprint.info
Momentum grows for EU cap on CO2 from cars The EU Commission proposals on curbing CO2 from cars have been delayed a week or two, because of a clash between Environment Commissioner Dimas, who supports a binding cap, and Industry Commissioner Verheugen, who opposes binding legislation. The political support for capping the emissions grew on Tuesday however, as Commission President Barroso and two ministers from Germany publicly backed binding limits. "The president believes that there is a need for legislation to meet the targets which are set by the Commission, namely the 120 grams per kilometer that has been discussed here on occasion, by 2012," spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen told a regular media briefing. Web link: Planet Ark/Reuters See also letter from ten leading environmental NGOs to President Barroso calling on him to bring forward binding legislation on cars and climate change:
House revokes oil industry subsidies and tax breaks Legislation eliminating some $14 billion in federal subsidies and tax breaks for oil and gas companies was approved today by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which includes language to funnel the money to renewable energy projects, passed by a vote of 264-163.
Warming could cut China grain crops by over a third
EU proposes 'blunt' transport biofuel target as Schwarzenegger shows the way forward Meanwhile Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday announced an innovative plan to cut CO2 emissions from the production and use of all fuels used for cars by 10% in the state of California.
European Commission proposes energy/climate plan
- Press release from the European Commission (with links to underlying documents) |
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