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2008 New study shows massive health benefits from stronger climate policies A new report commissioned by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Climate Action Network Europe and WWF analyses the health benefits brought by reduced climate pollution if the European Union commits to cut domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 30 rather than 20 per cent. The findings demonstrate that if the European Union were to raise its target on greenhouse gas emissions from the current 20 to 30 per cent, the additional health savings from control of non-greenhouse gases (fine particles, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide) would amount to between 6.5 and 25 billion Euros euros per year. The calculation is based on economic evaluations of reduced loss of life and health due to cleaner air associated with climate change policy, as well as savings to industry from reduced loss of working days and to governments from reduced costs to health services. The report also mentions other co-benefits of a higher target on climate change action, such as the protection of forests, water supplies and biodiversity. It also points to the considerable savings to European companies involved in implementing air pollution abatement measures. Web link: The co-benefits to health of a strong EU climate change policy (pdf, 2.5 MB)
Europe needs to intensify adaptation to climate change Increasing temperatures, changing precipitation, rising sea level, more intense and frequent extreme weather events and melting glaciers, ice sheets and Arctic sea ice are some of the challenges for Europe already triggered by global climate change, says a report released today by the European Environment Agency, the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Web link: European Environment Agency
MEPs stand up for fuel-efficient cars Despite enormous pressure from the car industry and car producing countries, the European Parliament has stood firm on plans to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. In a critical vote this morning, the Parliament's environment committee pledged overwhelming support for a European Commission proposal that the average new car should emit no more than 130 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometer by 2012. MEPs also demanded a longer term target for 2020. An earlier vote by the parliament's industry committee had called for a postponement and weakening of the short-term target to 2015. That was completely rejected. Web links:
Combating climate change could create millions of jobs Tackling climate change could potentially generate millions of new employment opportunities, according to a new United Nations-backed study – the first of its kind on the emergence of a “green economy” and its impact on labour – released today. Entitled “Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World,” the publication shows how efforts to address global warming and slash greenhouse gas emissions are leading to new “green” jobs in many sectors. This, in turn, has resulted increased investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Web link: UN News Centre
22 September 2008 Climate Action Network Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace and WWF have heavily criticized the outcome of today's vote by the European Parliament’s industry (ITRE) committee on ‘effort sharing’. Environmentalists slammed the committee's opinion that countries should be able to buy their way out of real emission cuts in the EU by being able to purchase an even greater quantity of offsets than originally proposed by the European Commission. The ITRE committee vote would allow up to 80% of emission reductions to be met by the purchase of external offset credits. This would mean that by 2020, member states’ emissions from non-industrial sectors2 would only be reduced by a feeble 2%, compared to 2005 levels. The ITRE committee also supported measures which could prevent an EU 30% emission reduction target from being automatically adopted once an international agreement on climate change has been reached, and failed to introduce any improved measures to ensure that countries are penalised if they do not meet their targets. Web link: Climate Action Network Europe
Kingsnorth Six: not guilty! Six Greenpeace climate activists have been acquitted of causing £30,000 of criminal damage to Kingsnorth power station in the UK. Their defence of 'lawful excuse' was accepted by a jury because they were acting to protect property around the world from the impacts of climate change, caused in significant part by burning coal. Web links:
Inflated claims of the car industry European car manufacturers argue that the introduction of mandatory CO2 emission limits as of 2012 would detrimentally affect the competitiveness of the European automotive industry. But evidence of past policies, the evaluation of the scientific assessment of the current policy and close scrutiny of the car industry’s previous lobbying efforts suggest that this is only one of many scenarios that repeatedly overestimates the compliance costs for the car industry, according to the report “Off Track: Inflated claims of the car industry”, published by Greenpeace International. Web link: Greenpeace Cleaner mower, speedboat engines ordered Gasoline-powered lawnmowers that are a big cause of summertime air pollution will have to be dramatically cleaner under rules issued Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency. The long-awaited regulation requires a 35 percent reduction in emissions from new lawn and garden equipment beginning in 2011. Big emission reductions are also required for speedboats and other recreational watercraft, beginning in 2010. Web links:
2009 is a crucial year for the climate as the nations of the world come together in Copenhagen in December 2009 to agree a global deal for tackling climate change.
Several environmentalist NGOs – Climate Action Network-Europe, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and WWF – have come together to campaign for strong climate change policies to be adopted by the European Union. Web link: www.timetolead.eu Warmer seas linked to strengthening hurricanes The theory that global warming may be contributing to stronger hurricanes in the Atlantic over the past 30 years is bolstered by a new study led by a Florida State University researcher. The study will be published in the Sept. 4 edition of the journal Nature.
Industry committee votes to weaken cars and CO2 targets The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament has fallen into line with virtually every demand of the car industry lobby in a vote on proposed fuel efficiency standards for new cars. Web link: T&E press release
Cutting fossil fuel subsidies can cut greenhouse gas emissions Scrapping fossil fuel subsidies could play an important role in cutting greenhouse gases while giving a small but not insignificant boost to the global economy a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says. Subsidies on oil, gas or coal are meant to help the poor by lowering the price of energy but the report, issued on the sidelines of a 160-nation UN climate meeting in Ghana, said they often backfired by mainly benefiting wealthier people. The study estimated that energy subsidies, almost all for fossil fuels, totalled about US$300 billion a year or 0.7 percent of world gross domestic product (GDP). "Cancelling these subsidies might reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 6 per cent a year while contributing 0.1 per cent to global GDP," it said. Web links:
BMW leaps ahead on new car CO2 emissions 26 August 2008 BMW AG improved fuel efficiency last year at four times the average rate of major manufacturers, new figures show. But the overall performance of the industry was not enough to meet proposed climate targets for new cars. The average new car sold by BMW in 2007 typically consumed 7.3% less fuel than in the previous year, leading to a cut in average CO2 emissions from 184g CO2/km in 2006 to 170 g/km in 2007 according to the report by Transport & Environment (T&E). The average improvement for all cars sold in the EU was just 1.7%. This is more than last year's all-time low of 0.7 per cent, but still not enough to meet climate targets. Web link: Transport & Environment
UN climate talks to seek speed amid discord The latest round of UN climate talks began yesterday (21 August) in Accra, Ghana, in a bid to overcome disagreements over the tools that countries can use to cut greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate progress towards a new climate treaty by the end of 2009.
UN-backed reports warns of costs of inaction 22 August 2008 Government leaders must take urgent action to ensure that weather-related hazards, which are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change, do not lead to a corresponding rise in disasters, a new United Nations-backed report released today said. The new study identified India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia as being among global warming’s “hotspots,” or countries particularly vulnerable to increases in extreme drought, flooding and cyclones anticipated in coming decades. Web link: UN News Centre
Public consultation on post-2012 climate agreement The European Commission launches today a public consultation on the European Union's approach to a global climate change agreement up to and beyond 2012 when the current Kyoto Protocol targets will end. Stakeholders and the general public are invited to put forward their views on a number of issues, such as mid-term emission reduction targets for developed countries and emission reduction actions for developing countries, adaptation to climate change, technology cooperation and finance. The results of the survey will help shape the EU's position on the global post-2012 agreement. The consultation runs until 29 September 2008. Web link: European Commission
Scraping the bottom of the oil barrel a significant new climate risk Exploitation of North America’s shale and tar-sand oil reserves could increase atmospheric CO2 levels by up to 15 per cent, a new report from WWF-UK and the major UK financial group Co-Operative Financial Services (CFS) has warned. Web link: WWF press release
Transport remains main source of health-damaging pollutants A report launched today by the European Environment Agency shows that road transport remains the single main source of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), and the second-most important source of fine particulate emissions (PM10 and PM2.5) in the EU-27. This report contains essential data that helps understand the evolution of air pollutant emissions since 1990. Web link: EEA press release
EU Court of Justice backs citizen rights in air pollution A German environmental activist has won backing from the European Union's top court to force local authorities in Munich to tackle air pollution. Web link: Planet Ark (Reuters) "G8 duck responsibility and fail to lead" G8 leaders have failed to boost international climate negotiations at their Toyako summit, according to a press statement by environmentalist NGO WWF.
Web links:
"Greener Transport Package“ presented by the European Commission The European Commission adopted today a package entitled "Towards Greener Transport" which included a long-awaited strategy to allow transport to pay for the costs that they cause to environment and society. The package includes a legislative Proposal to revise the Eurovignette Directive that aims to remove a legal obstacle which prohibits trucks being charged for the costs that they cause in terms of congestion and pollution. Commenting on today's development, Jos Dings, Director of T&E (the European Federation for Transport and Environment) said: "Making road users pay for the negative impacts of their operations is critical to a sustainable transport policy in Europe. (...) Unfortunately this proposal seems to take EU transport policy two steps forward and one step back." Mr. Dings concluded "The Parliament and Council have their work cut out to make sure today’s proposal will really make transport greener." Web links:
Britain says to slow introduction of biofuels The British government said on Monday it would slow the introduction of biofuels to address concerns that switching the use of land could exacerbate climate change and push up food prices. The government accepted the conclusions of a report it commissioned from Ed Gallagher, chair of the Renewable Fuels Agency, which called for a more cautious approach until more evidence was available. Web link: Planet Ark (Reuters)
EU Commission consults on second strategic energy review The European Commission is consulting on measures to strengthen the EU's energy security and accelerate transition towards low-carbon economies both inside and outside Europe. The measures will be proposed in the forthcoming second EU strategic energy review, which will act as a basis for decisions by heads of state in early 2009. The consultation is open until 10 September.
MEPs and Council reach deal on airline emissions Following a series of meetings between MEPs and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, the two sides have agreed details of how to include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System. The main elements of the compromise are as follows:
Commenting on the deal, João Vieira of T&E (the European Federation for Transport and Environment) said: "Environmental campaigners have consistently said that this plan must deliver real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector - and this deal fails to achieve that goal. The policy will offset just one year's growth in emissions from the aviation sector, according to the European Commission's own analysis."
- Planet Ark (Reuters)
European transport: Change user behaviour and set carbon targets There must be a clear, ambitious target for cutting CO2 emissions from transport in Europe. Citizen behaviour, together with improved use of technologies, have a major role to play. These are just a few of the messages emerging from the seminar: “Right on track - choosing the most eco-friendly transport option” organised by the International Union of Railways (UIC) today at the European Environment Agency (EEA). Web link: EEA press release
Call for tougher targets in climate negotiations On Monday 23 June 2008, full-page advertisements was published simultaneously in the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune, the New York Times, and in the Swedish papers Dalarnas tidningar, carrying the headline ”<350”. This figure relates to the upper limit for atmospheric carbon dioxide. The message in the advertisements is directed towards nations involved in the negotiations leading up to and beyond the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December 2009. The parts per million (ppm) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has long been a key indicator for climate change. Setting a ppm limit is one of the guiding principles behind the ongoing climate negotiations. Several proposals for an upper limit for CO2 have come forward and until recently scientists estimated that the level could reach 450 ppm without threatening life on Earth. - We are concerned that the negotiations are heading in the wrong direction, said Professor Johan Rockström, Executive Director of the Stockholm Environmental Institute. - The CO2 threshold under discussion is too high. Today, the scientific community has a pretty clear picture of how much CO2 our atmosphere can sustain, and there is growing evidence that 350 PPM should be our target, rather than 450 ppm. Sadly, this has not yet been reflected in the negotiations, he said. Web link: Stockholm Environment Institute press release
Slow progress in EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions 18 June 2008 Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the European Union decreased slightly between 2005 and 2006, according to the official inventory report prepared by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Overall emissions within the EU-27 fell by 14 million tonnes (0.3 %) and now stand 7.7 % below 1990 levels. In 2006, EU-15 emissions were 2.7 % below their levels in the base year (1990 in most cases). The EU-15 target under the Kyoto protocol is an 8-per-cent reduction by 2008-12. The main contributor to the decrease was lower consumption of gas and oil in households and services. This was a result of reduced heating needs in Europe due to a warmer year in 2006, together with higher gas prices. Electricity demand remained largely stable in households. Emissions from road transport continued to grow, releasing 6.5 million tonnes of CO2 or 0.7 % more than in 2005. The rise was mostly driven by increased use of diesel for freight and passenger transport. Emissions of greenhouse gases from international aviation and shipping activities continued to rise sharply in 2006. Contributions from these sectors, currently not included under the Kyoto Protocol, rose by nearly 5 million tonnes (aviation) and 10 million tonnes (international shipping). Total emissions in the European Union were slightly more than 5.1 billion tonnes in 2006. Web link: EEA press release
EU spending €1 billion a day on oil imports as leaders backtrack on efficient cars 18 June 2008 For the first time in history European Union member states are spending over €1 billion every day on imported oil, four times more than in 2003 and smashing all previous records, according to analysis by Transport and Environment (T&E). But European leaders are failing to make the connection between rocketing oil prices and worrying levels of oil dependence on the one hand, and the need to tackle Europe's gas guzzling car fleet on the other. Web link: T&E briefing Europe should reject ‘disastrous’ car CO2 pact 16 June 2008 German chancellor Angela Merkel emerged victorious from negotiations with her French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy earlier this month on an agreement that could severely weaken the upcoming car CO2 law. The agreement was portrayed in the European media as a breakthrough, with Merkel quoted as saying: 'I am very happy to be able to say that we both support the EU goal of 120 grams per kilometre on all new EU cars by 2012.' But environmental groups say the deal, if agreed by all member states, would lead to a severe delay and weakening of the plans. Web link: European Federation for Transport and Environment
China contributing two thirds to increase in CO2 emissions With an 8 per cent national increase, China’s emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) accounted for two thirds of last year’s global carbon dioxide increase of 3.1 per cent. With this, China tops the list of CO2 emitting countries, having about a quarter share in global CO2 emissions (24%), followed by the USA (21%), the EU-15 (12%), India (8%) and the Russian Federation (6%). The emissions expressed per person show however a largely different ranking (CO2 emissions in metric tons per person): USA (19.4), Russia (11.8), EU-15 (8.6), China (5.1) and India (1.8). These figures are based on a preliminary estimate by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP), using recently published BP (British Petroleum) energy data and cement production data for 2007. Web link: MNP Press release
Melting Arctic ice could spur inland warming 12 June 2008 If Arctic sea ice starts melting fast, polar bears and ring seals wouldn't be the only creatures to feel it: A study released on Tuesday suggests it could spur warmer temperatures hundreds of km inland. Web link: Planet Ark (Reuters) G8+5 leaders urged to halve emissions by 2050 11 June 2008 Major economies should aim to halve world emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and work out ways to bury gases in a wider assault on climate change, the science academies of 13 nations said on Tuesday. Web links: - Planet Ark (Reuters) - Joint statement (pdf)
Public consultation on revision of car labelling directive
Web link: European Commission
Breathing dust and soot raises risk of stroke
Web link: Environment News Service
G8 environment ministers: halve emissions by 2050
Web link: Reuters
Beneficial to cut air pollution from Europe's power plants 20 May 2008 Application of advanced emission control technologies to the 100 most polluting plants in the EU27 could reduce annual emissions of SO2 and NOx by approximately 3.4 and 1.1 million tonnes respectively. This would cut total EU27 emissions of SO2 by approximately 40% and emissions of NOx by 10%. When comparing the calculated annual costs of achieving those emissions reductions with the estimated health benefits, it was found that the latter are at least three times higher. Read report and press release at: More EU member states to miss 2010 emission limits A preliminary analysis of data reported under the EU National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive by member states at the end of 2007 indicates that more countries anticipate missing one or more of their legally-binding 2010 emission ceilings compared to last year.
15 May 2008
High potential to cut air pollution from Europe's power plants Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) from large combustion plants (LCP) could have been considerably lower in 2004, a report presented today by the European Environment Agency (EEA) says.
Web link: European Environment Agency
EU biofuel policy likely to cause environmental destruction 6 May 2008 The EU’s biofuel policy is likely to cause large-scale environmental harm across the world, according to a new report published today by BirdLife International. The report is coming out ahead of revised proposals for sustainability standards in European legislation which, according to the organsation, remain disappointingly weak. Web link: BirdLife International press release
"CCS is unproven, risky and expensive" Carbon capture and storage (CCS) aims to reduce the climate impact of burning fossil fuels by capturing carbon dioxide from power station smokestacks and disposing of it underground. Its future development has been widely promoted by the coal industry as a justification for the construction of new coal-fired power plants. However, the technology is largely unproven and will not be ready in time to save the climate, according to a new report, “False Hope”, published by Greenpeace. Web links:
Hazardous breathing in the US Web links:
Energy performance of buildings The European Commission is planning to propose legislative changes to the directive on Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC) later this year. A public consultation is open until 20 June.
Web link: European Commission
Action to promote offshore wind energy The European Commission is inviting all interested stakeholders to help identify the key barriers for the further development of offshore wind energy in Europe and what might be done to overcome them. The consultation will be open until 20 June 2008. Web link: European Commission
Canada led G8 in greenhouse gas emissions growth
Slight decrease in EU15 greenhouse gas emissions
Web link: EEA
EU urges Bush to be more ambitious on CO2 curbs The European Commission urged US President George W Bush on Thursday to be more ambitious in tackling climate change while welcoming his acceptance that the United States would need to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Web link: Planet Ark (Reuters) Calls grow for EU to 'suspend' biofuels push The EU must suspend its target of raising the share of biofuels in transport to 10% until a more comprehensive scientific study on their environmental risks is carried out, the European Environment Agency has said. The warning came as the World Bank joined the chorus of criticism against increased biofuel production. Web link: EurActiv.com
Windfall profits for dirtiest power generators
The study, commissioned by WWF from world-leading carbon market analysts Point Carbon, estimates that the windfall to electricity generators in just the five states of UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland over the current five year phase of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) could be between 23 and 71 billion euro. Windfall profits are generated when generators benefit from electricity prices reflecting the cost of carbon emissions while receiving the bulk of their carbon emission allowances (EU allowances) for free under National Allocation Plans.
Agreement in IMO to cut ship air pollution The sulphur content of all marine fuels will be capped at 0.5 per cent worldwide from 2020, the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) decided at a meeting in London on Thursday. The deal is much more stringent than expected. It will be confirmed by the MEPC's plenary body on Friday 4 April and should be rubber-stamped in October. "This is a real ocean-sized change for the IMO," said Eelco Leemans of the North Sea Foundation. "After a decade and a half of discussion and pressure from environmentalists around the world, the IMO has recognised the need for clean shipping fuels." Today, the maximum permissible sulphur content of marine fuels is 4.5 per cent, and the global average has been estimated by the IMO to be between 2.5 and 3 per cent. The new agreement means that the maximum limit will fall in stages to 3.5 per cent in 2012 and finally to 0.5 per cent in 2020. Special low sulphur zones, called Emission Control Areas (ECAs), where the sulphur limit now is 1.5 per cent, will face a stricter limit of 1.0 per cent in 2012 and 0.1 per cent in 2015. Currently the only Emission Control Areas are the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. David Marshall of the US-based organization Clean Air Task Force observed, "Meaningful global sulphur reductions are a long way off and countries that value the health of their citizens will need to adopt protective ECAs as soon as possible." Emissions of sulphur dioxide, a major air pollutants and an important precursor to health-damaging fine particles (PM2,5), are directly proportional to the sulphur content of fuel. A study presented to the IMO by the environmental NGOs showed that under a 'no action' scenario, sulphur in marine fuels will be responsible for more than 80,000 premature deaths per year in 2012. João Vieira from Transport and Environment said, "Despite this welcome move, shipping fuels will still be 500 times more polluting than road fuels. That's not good enough for Europe, with its bad air quality and dense population. We expect Europe to make the best use of these new provisions, and apply the strictest fuel limit in all its sea areas." Dragomira Raeva, Air Policy Officer of the European Environmental Bureau, commented, "Let's take the opportunity created by these new standards and make sure there is no backpedaling before October. Now is the time for EU decision-makers to designate the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Seas as low sulphur emission zones, consistent with the Baltic and North Seas, so all Europe's seas will be covered by the stricter set of sulphur standards when they are adopted by IMO." Low-sulphur fuels are currently not widely available and the IMO agreement calls for a 2018 review to check their availability; depending on its findings, the 2020 target could be postponed to 2025. Moreover, if a ship can demonstrate that compliant fuel is not available to it, it may be granted an exemption from the new limits. Also this week, the IMO reached preliminary agreement on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission standards for new ship engines in two steps. In the first step, emissions would be cut by between 16 and 22 per cent by 2011 relative to 2000, and in the second step by 80 per cent by 2016. The longer-term limit would only apply in specially designated areas, however. As regards existing engines, no significant reductions are expected - it was agreed that some of the largest existing engines from the period 1990-1999 should be fitted with an emission-reducing "kit" that are expected to be able to reduce NOx emissions by 10-20 per cent. Web link: NGO press release 2008-04-03
The beginning of the end for coal? 2 April 2008 With concerns about climate change mounting, the era of coal-fired electricity generation in the United States may be coming to a close. In early 2007, a US Department of Energy report listed 151 coal-fired power plants in the planning stages in the United States. But during 2007, 59 proposed plants were either refused licenses by state governments or quietly abandoned. In addition, close to 50 coal plants are being contested in the courts, and the remaining plants will likely be challenged when they reach the permitting stage.
Cars should plug-in to a new future 2 April 2008 Dramatically expanded use of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles would be a way to a transport future that doesn't risk climate catastrophe. Such a move would also reduce the risk of conflict over less oil more and more concentrated in relatively unstable areas of the world, acoording to the report “Plugged In: The End of the Oil Age”, published by the WWF. Web link: WWF International
Ports will buy cleaner fuel to cut ship emissions
Under the incentive proposal, the ports would pay the difference between the price of bunker fuel and the more costly low-sulphur distillate fuel for vessel operators who make the fuel switch within at least 20 miles and out as far as 40 miles from the ports. Web link: Environment News Service Scientists warn of soot effect on climate Soot produced by burning coal, diesel, wood and dung causes significantly more damage to the environment than previously thought, according to research published today in Nature Geoscience. So-called "black carbon" could cause up to 60 per cent of the current warming effect of carbon dioxide, according to the US researchers, making it an important target for efforts to slow global warming. Web links: East Asia's emissions pollutes North America Close to 15 per cent of the air pollution over the western United States and Canada originates in East Asia, according to NASA researchers using the latest, most accurate satellite sensors. Their study offers the first measurement-based estimate of the amount of pollution from East Asian forest fires, urban exhaust, and industrial production that makes its way to western North America in one week. Web link: Environment News Service
Petrol vapour recovery consultation 18 March 2008 The European Commission proposes mandatory introduction of stage 2 petrol vapour recovery controls at service stations, according to a consultation document. A 1994 directive limits VOC emissions from petrol storage and distribution operations but there are currently no EU restrictions for filling stations. Stakeholders have until 25 April to respond. Web link: consultation document (pdf) New rules cut emissions from trains and ships
The rule provides for clean air standards comparable to those that EPA has adopted for large diesel trucks and buses, and for construction, mining and agricultural equipment.
Diesel fumes can affect your brain Inhaling diesel exhaust triggers a stress response in the brain that may have damaging long-term effects on brain function, researchers said on Tuesday. Previous studies have found very small particles of soot, or nanoparticles, are able to travel from the nose and lodge in the brain. But this is the first time researchers have demonstrated a change in brain activity. Web links:
EU fails to curb emissions from transport The transport sector in the EU must apply rigorous measures to help Europe meet its greenhouse gas emission targets, says a new report published by the European Environment Agency. With passenger volumes steadily increasing and freight transport growing at a faster pace than the economy, the movement of goods is becoming less efficient, in spite of technological progress. The study Climate for a transport change urges policy-makers to set challenging, but realistic targets for this sector, while addressing transport demand 'in a serious and unbiased way'. Web link: EEA press release.
EU must back long term car CO2 standards and strict penalties 3 March 2008 Transport and Environment (T&E) welcomes the broadly positive response of Environment Ministers to legally binding new car CO2 targets proposed by the European Commission in December, but urges all member states to back longer term targets, robust penalties and footprint not weight-based standards. Web link: T&E Press release.
EU funds for fifty harmful projects A new map with details of 50 environmentally damaging and economically dubious infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe was launched by CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe in Brussels today. Based on the most extensive investigation to date, the map entitled 'Cohesion or Collision?' shows controversial projects with a total cost of EUR 22 billion. The projects are either already financed, or planned to be financed, by EU structural and cohesion funds and/or the European Investment Bank (EIB). Web link: Friends of the Earth Europe press release.
Climate change threatens human rights of millions
Breathing dirty air may lower kids' IQ
Tipping elements in the climate system 13 February 2008
"Society may be lulled into a false sense of security by smooth projections of global change. Our synthesis of present knowledge suggests that a variety of tipping elements could reach their critical point within this century under anthropogenic climate change", the authors write in their conclusions. Web links: - Planet Ark (Reuters) - PNAS (full text article)
HELCOM backs steep reduction of sulphur emissions from ships
Wind energy leads EU power installations in 2007
Statistics released today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) show that the installed capacity of wind power increased by 18 per cent last year to reach a level of 56,535 Megawatts. Despite this, some EU countries did not grow as expected.
Worsening air quality in Europe EU air quality has deteriorated over the last few years with respect to three major pollutants, the European topic centre on air and climate change (ETC/ACC) reports in a study released last Thursday. Particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone concentrations all exceeded legal limits in a "considerably" higher proportion of measured zones in 2005 than in 2001. Source: ENDS Europe DAILY 2476, 04/02/08 Web link: European topic centre on air and climate change
London launches low emission zone for lorries London will become a 'low emission zone' today, when transport officials launch a campaign to cut traffic pollution and improve the capital's air quality, the worst in Britain and among the poorest in Europe. The 49 million pound (US$98 million) scheme will use a network of cameras to monitor the emissions of large diesel lorries, later expanding coverage to smaller commercial vehicles, and impose heavy fines on those exceeding EU exhaust limits. Web links:
Cleaner ship fuel could save tens of thousands of lives Switching to low sulphur marine fuels can save 40,000 - 50,000 lives every year, according to a new study released by Clean Air Task Force (CATF) and submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As the IMO, the United Nations body that regulates shipping across the world, began meetings in London this week to review and potentially tighten air pollution standards for the world’s shipping fleet, scientific research has found that the use of cleaner marine fuel could prevent tens of thousands of premature deaths from shipping air pollution each year. The updated analysis estimates that the number of people dying from heart and lung disease as a result of under-regulated air pollution from international shipping will total over 80,000 per year by 2012, but also found that this death toll can be cut by half or more by substantially reducing the sulphur content of marine fuel. Web links: - CATF Press release (pdf) - IMO submission (pdf)
Better management of municipal waste will reduce GHG emissions
Key messages:
Web link: EEA Briefing 1/2008 (available in 26 languages)
High Oil Prices Boost Energy Efficiency
Sustainable Energy Cities take the lead on climate change Today the European Commission launched the Covenant of Mayors, an initiative to involve the citizens in the fight against global warming. It comes after an informal consultation with numerous cities across Europe, whose Mayors will join the Commission in launching the Covenant. The Covenant consists of the formal commitment of the adhering cities to go beyond the objectives of the EU in terms of reducing their CO2 emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy actions. Almost 100 cities throughout Europe, including 15 capital cities, have expressed their early support for the Covenant.
Web link: European Commission press release
The "Climate action and renewable energy package" 23 January 2008 Today the European Commission put forward a package of proposals that will deliver on the European Union's commitments to fight climate change and promote renewable energy up to 2020 and beyond. The EU has committed to reducing its overall emissions to at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, and is ready to scale up this reduction to as much as 30% under a new global climate change agreement if other developed countries make comparable efforts. Web links: - Climate Action Network Europe
HELCOM calls for tighter IMO regulations to reduce NOx from ships 10 January 2008
One degree global warming = 20,000 deaths a year 3 January 2008
Jacobson arrived at his results of the impact of carbon dioxide globally and, at higher resolution, over the United States by modeling the changes that would occur when all current human and natural gas and particle emissions were considered versus considering all such emissions except human-emitted carbon dioxide.
California sues EPA for rejecting emissions law 2 January 2008
Milan drivers face pollution charge
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