NO.4, DECEMBER 2020

Global sulphur pollution decreasing In 2019, emissions of sulphur dioxide from large point sources decreased in all of the top three emitter countries – India, Russia and China. ► Page 4 Revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive for stronger climate action A bold energy efficiency policy is the precondition for successful climate action. ► Page 12

EU agriculture policy not in line with the Green Deal © LARS-ERIK HÅKANSSON LARS-ERIK © The current reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has been criticised for failing to live up to the Green Deal. ► Page 14 Air quality is slowly improving Better air quality in Europe has led to a Ocean acidification is poorly governed reduction in premature deaths over the past decade. The problems associated with and the solutions needed to ► Page 18 address OA are unique and cannot be bundled together Combustion-engine cars with traditional climate change responses and measures. need to be phased out in Ocean acidification OA( ) occurs as the complex ecological interactions between Europe by 2025 result of increased atmospheric CO₂ which organisms. In a global setting, ongoing is taken up by the oceans. About 30% and projected effects ofOA have been With a view to limiting global warming of the CO₂ that has been emitted to the extensively described in several IPCC to 1.5°C, internal-combustion-engine (diesel and petrol) cars need to be pha- atmosphere because of human activity reports and their summaries for policy sed out in Europe. has ended up in waterbodies. Reactions makers (e.g. IPCC, 20181, 20192). ► Page 24 between CO₂ and water eventually result It is obvious that OA “is a global problem in a higher concentration of hydrogen with profoundly negative environmental, Emissions from ships and ions – i.e. lowered pH – in the oceans. social and economic consequences”, as planes continue to rise Organisms in the oceans are adapted to stated in a recent review by Galdies and the pH conditions that prevailed in the co-authors3. This review specifically focuses Air and sea transport must reduce GHG seas prior to this human-driven acidifi- on the governance framework relating to emissions at the same rate as land trans- cation process. Calcifying organisms in OA, particularly in Europe. At the global port by 2040 at the latest in industria- particular are sensitive to acidification, kevel, OA is included in the Sustainable lised countries, and by 2050 globally. ► Page 27 but the physiology of many other organ- Development Goals (SDGs) of the United isms can be affected as well, as can the Nations. It is specifically mentioned in Life Page 3 From page 1 Editorial below the Water SDG, and target 14.3 says Climate change as a topic is included in (for the Mediterranean Sea), VECTORS A newsletter from the Air Pollution & Climate to “reduce acidification”. In Europe, the EU-wide steering documents and there are (with emphasis on biodiversity, fisheries, Secretariat, the primary aim of which is to European Environment Agency included hopes for significant upscaling of efforts to and aquaculture), MEESE (climate change provide information on air pollution and its Chilean presidency in December last effects on health and the environment. “The EU has the year. The Ocean and Climate Change OA in Europe’s “10 messages for 2010”. tackle climate change, for example through effects in the Mediterranean Sea, the chance to speak up Dialogue – much like the preparation But here comes the surprising part: the European Green Deal and the European Atlantic Ocean, and the Baltic Sea). Ad- Anyone interested in these matters is invited Despite the inclusion of OA in such Climate Law proposed by the EU Commis- ditionally, the German project BIOACID to contact the Secretariat. All requests for for the oceans” for the UN Ocean Conference – allows information or material will be dealt with to for online participation by NGOs and overarching policy documents, “EU-wide sion. Similarly, although a lot needs to be focused especially on the biological effects the best of our ability. Acid News is available other stakeholders. actions remain still incomprehensible and done, some countries have national climate of OA. Other projects, such as ATLANTOS free of charge. uncoordinated”, according to the review. plans and other frameworks for climate have focused on ocean observations, as The clock is We must also not forget the sixth In order to fulfil the purpose of Acid News, ticking to achieve the 1.5°C assessment cycle of the IPCC, which Furthermore, and as evidenced by the policies. However, measures specifically does COPERNICUS. To the list can also we need information from everywhere, so if goal of the Paris Agreement. To be clear will undoubtedly produce new scientific review’s analysis covering 90 (!) legislative designed to meet the challenge of OA are, be added research infrastructures for ex- you have read or heard about something that right from the start: this goal deserves documents from 17 European countries, as has been described, largely lacking. perimental work, such as AQUACOSM and might be of general interest, please write or evidence to further put pressure on the every effort that mankind can pull off. OA AQUACOSM send a copy to: intergovernmental processes of the UN. most countries make little reference to This is not a trivial issue. Even if the -plus4, which provide facilities In the name of realism, this is the goal NGOs and other stakeholders must pay in their legislative framework. The most abatement of climate change and the abate- for large-scale experiments on a number Air Pollution & Climate Secretariat we must focus on now, given the current noteworthy exception is Norway, with its ment of OA both require the mitigation of of environmental topics, including OA. Första Långgatan 18, 413 28 Göteborg, close attention to the UN processes and level of progress in reducing greenhouse CO Sweden take full advantage of the participatory reportedly strong framework to combat ₂, the effects of temperature rise (and The review concludes with a number Tel: +46 31 711 45 15 gases. However, damage to marine eco- mechanisms. Additionally, it is vitally OA. Some other countries, including associated effects) and acidification are of recommendations to policy makers E-mail: [email protected] systems will not be avoided even if we important to influence the agenda of Ireland, France, Spain and the UK, have not the same. (Although they do occur regarding OA in European waters. These Internet: www.airclim.org reach this goal1. In fact, damage already the nations within the UN processes. some level of reference to OA, allowing concurrently and there can be interactions.) include continued OA-focused research and occurs at current levels of warming, as EU them to address mitigation e.g. through As stated in the review: “The problems a European ocean resilience programme, Editor: Marko Reinikainen The has the chance to advocate evidenced by the bleaching of coral reefs2. sectoral policies and/or national strategies, associated with and the solutions needed transnational marine corridors, improved Assistant editors: Christer Ågren & for a paradigm shift from words to This may be an inconvenient truth when Reinhold Pape action. It is highly important that all yet with a lot of room for improvement. to address OA are unique and cannot be coordinated European-level governance Layout: Karin Didring our current goal is 1.5°C. Yet, it is what those stakeholders who want to achieve Among the EU-level policy instruments bundled together with traditional climate and national reporting (with reference to science is telling us3, or: it is what it is. real change actively ensure that initial that could be used as a framework for na- change responses and measures”. GES and the MSFD) that takes into account Printed by Trydells Tryckeri, Laholm, Sweden. There are two implications of this promising signals from the current EU tional policies to mitigate OA, the review The review particularly mentions Marine OA, and awareness raising both among ISSN 0281-5087. notion. The first, highly obvious implica- Commission are translated into decisive pointed out that “…national policies rarely Protected Areas (MPAs) as one of the policy makers and the general public. tion is that any excess warming beyond emphasised the overarching element of tools that could be used and designed The Air Pollution and Climate Secretariat actions in major policy programmes 1.5°C must be avoided to prevent further OA The Secretariat has a board consisting of one such as the 8th Environment Action the Marine Strategy Framework Direc- to tackle challenges associated with . Marko Reinikainen damage in the oceans, and to protect representative from each of the following Programme, the European Green Deal, tive (MSFD)”. This is interesting, as the MPAs that are properly assigned could other ecosystems as well. The second organisations: Friends of the Earth Sweden, and the sustainable Europe Strategy to MSFD could guide EU member states help to ensure refugia, build ecosystem 1. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/ Nature and Youth Sweden, the Swedish So- implication is that we need to strongly implement the SDGs. These programmes to a more coordinated view on marine resilience, and promote the regeneration 2. https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/summary- ciety for Nature Conservation, and the World limit and whenever possible eliminate protection in general, and specifically of threatened ecosystems. for-policymakers/ Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Sweden. need to bring about real change, and they other sources of disturbance to the oceans. also regarding OA, in order to reach On a positive note, the review highlights The essential aim of the Secretariat is to need to carry over to the global arena. 3. Galdies, C. et al. 2020. European policies and We need to ask ourselves – as NGOs GES promote awareness of the problems associ- The EU has the chance to speak up for Good Environmental Status ( ). It a number of pan-European research legislation targeting ocean acidification in Euro- and as any other responsible stakehold- ated with air pollution and climate change, the oceans and give them the attention is noteworthy, however, that the MSFD initiatives that have promoted the un- pean waters – Current state. Marine Policy 118. and thus, in part as a result of public pressure, ers – where can we find the political does not include monitoring descriptors derstanding of OA in European waters. they direly need in the global negotiations. 4. https://www.aquacosm.eu/ to bring about the needed reductions in the leverage to reach the 1.5°C goal, and to OA MEDSEA EU that concern specifically. These include, for instance, emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse By doing so, the can significantly ensure rapid protection of our oceans? © DMITRY POLONSKIY/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM contribute to the mitigation of climate gases. The aim is to have those emissions In this respect, it is commendable that eventually brought down to levels that man change, its associated effects (such as ocean the United Nations has found ways and the environment can tolerate without acidification), and other human impacts. to advance important processes even suffering damage. A strong message from the EU to the UN In furtherance of these aims, the Secretariat: during the pandemic. processes can truly affect the future of coral 8 Keeps up observation of political trends One such process is the preparation for reefs and other ecosystems. and scientific developments. the UN Ocean Conference. Even if the 8 Acts as an information centre, primarily for conference itself, which was originally to European environmentalist organisations, Marko Reinikainen but also for the media, authorities, and be held in June 2020, has been postponed, researchers. the process has continued. For instance, 1. See Acid News No. 3, 2019 https://www.air- 8 Produces information material. a series of webinars has been arranged clim.org/acidnews/not-even-15%C2%B0c-good- 8 Supports environmentalist bodies in other to give stakeholders an opportunity to enough) countries in their work towards common demonstrate their commitment. ends. 2. Babcock et al. 2019: Severe continental-scale 8 Participates in the advocacy and campaigning Another process is the Ocean and Cli- impacts of climate change are happening now: activities of European environmentalist orga- mate Change Dialogue of the UNFCCC, Extreme climate events impact marine habitat nisations concerning European policy relating which gives hope that ocean issues will forming communities along 45% of Australia’s to air quality and climate change, as well as in be given considerable weight in relation coast. Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 6 meetings of the Convention on Long-range to climate change in the COP26, as well 3. The Special Report on the Ocean and the Transboundary Air Pollution and the UN as the perpetuation of a “Blue COP”, as Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (https://www. Framework Convention on Climate Change. the previous COP was dubbed under the ipcc.ch/srocc/)

2 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 3 According to a new analysis of NASA Table 1: The “dirty dozen” global hotspots of sulphur dioxide emissions (ktonnes). satellite data by the Centre for Research Rank Hotspot Country/region Source type Emissions 2019 on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Greenpeace India, global sulphur dioxide 1 Norilsk Russia Smelter 1,833 2 Rabigh Saudi Arabia Oil & Gas 652 Global sulphur pollution decreasing (SO₂) pollution from large point sources, 3 Zagroz Iran Oil & Gas 558 such as smelters, coal-fired power plants In 2019, emissions of sulphur dioxide from large point sources decreased in all of the top three 4 Kriel South Africa Coal 504 and oil and gas use, fell by six per cent emitter countries – India, Russia and China. The biggest sulphur emissions hotspot is still the 5 Cantarell Mexico Oil & Gas 482 from 2018 to 2019. 6 Singruali India Coal 479 Norilsk smelter in northern Russia. The report ranks the world’s biggest 7 Reforma Mexico Oil & Gas 415 emitters of SO₂, a poisonous air pollutant 8 Ilo Peru Smelter 414 that increases risk of stroke, heart disease, 9 Matimba South Africa Coal 362 lung cancer and premature death. 10 Al Doha Kuwait Oil & Gas 351 TheNASA programme “Making Earth 11 Kemerkoy Turkey Coal 328 12 Afsin Elbistan Turkey Coal 307 System Data Records for Use in Research Environments” (MEaSUREs) uses satellite measurements to detect and quantify major SO₂ pollution hotspots across the globe. Table 2. Countries that emitted the greatest amount of SO2 from large point NASA estimates that sources emitting less sources (ktonnes). than 30 kilotons per year are not reli- Rank Country Emissions 2018 Emissions 2019 Change 2018–2019 ably detected and that the MEaSUREs 1 India 6,329 5,953 -6% catalogue accounts for about half of all 2 Russia 3,635 3,362 -8% known anthropogenic SO₂ emissions 3 China 2,263 2,156 -5% worldwide. 4 Saudi Arabia 1,861 1,910 +3% In 2019, emissions of SO₂ from large 5 Mexico 1,809 1,873 +4% point sources decreased in all of the top 6 Iran 1,977 1,746 -12% three countries with the greatest emissions, 7 South Africa 1,388 1,187 -15% namely India, Russia and China. India 8 Turkey 938 1,072 +14% was responsible for more than one fifth 9 United States 864 823 -5% 10 Kazakhstan 776 760 -2% of global SO₂ emissions from large point 11 Ukraine 861 628 -27% sources, with nearly twice the level of the 12 Australia 627 610 -3% world’s second largest emitter, Russia. The primary reason for India’s high emissions is the expansion of coal-based electricity generation over the past two decades. polluters. Coal combustion is the pri- delay or weaken the implementation of Although China was once the world’s mary SO₂ source in all three countries. emissions norms, even as the COVID-19 • biggest emitter of SO₂, the country’s In 2019, the Norilsk smelter site in pandemic should have driven home the emissions have plummeted by 87 per Russia was the biggest hotspot of SO₂ importance of respiratory health”. cent since their 2011 peak, primarily as a emissions in the world. The Rabigh The researchers conclude that govern- result of strengthened emissions standards. region, an oil and gas-based SO₂ emis- ments must immediately halt investment In 2019, however, China’s emissions fell sion hotspot in Saudi Arabia, ranked in fossil fuels and shift to safer energy by only 5 per cent, the slowest rate of second. sources, such as wind and solar. At the • decrease in the past decade. The Suralaya coal cluster in Banten, same time, they must strengthen emissions Some other key findings of the analysis: Indonesia was the largest SO₂ hotspot in standards and require the application of Southeast Asia in 2019, followed closely flue gas pollution control technology at • SO₂ emissions in Turkey rose 14 per by Singapore’s oil and gas refineries. power plants, smelters and other industrial cent in 2019, marking the fourth con- Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at CREA, SO₂ emitters. secutive year of increase. Between 2015 said: “These emissions tracked by satel- and 2019, Turkey’s share of coal-based lites are affecting the health of millions Christer Ågren electricity production increased by of people, many who have had their lives nearly 10 per cent. During this period cut short or their health compromised, Source: Greenpeace International press release, 8 October 2020. SO₂ emissions doubled. showing the urgency of implement- • Ukraine, Serbia and Bulgaria are the ing stronger emissions regulations and The report ”Ranking the World’s Sulfur Diox- biggest point source SO₂ emitters in transitioning to clean energy sources. ide (SO₂) Hotspots: 2019–2020” is available at: https://energyandcleanair.org/wp/wp-content/ Europe and rank among the world’s Unfortunately, in some countries topping uploads/2020/10/SO2report-1.pdf top 25 emitters. Bulgaria is the only the list, like India, Mexico and South EU SO © FUNTAY/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM country in the top 25 list of ₂ Africa, governments have continued to

4 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 5 This may represent a major barrier to of which Norway is also a member. But been made by the Norwegian government. Oil and fossil gas companies Equinor, Shell and the project in addition to the problem this prohibition may be lifted, if a project These subsidies will only cover the cost of the essential Norwegian government is deemed to be of great environmental for sequestering CO₂ from Norwegian Total plan CO₂ storage with Norwegian government financing of the storage. benefit. This is the argument used byESA , CCS plants that may be built. This is not The capacity of the storage reservoir when it recently approved the govern- enough for viable commercial operation Licensing of Norwegian CO2 storage for current CCS projects is under way – but important will be much larger than is needed to ment subsidies for the Northern Lights of the storage facility. Huge amounts of barriers remain. store CO₂ from one, possibly two, CCS project. (ESA is the EF TA Surveillance CO₂ from foreign sources willing to pay a plants in Norway. Without additional Authority). This was to be expected, and cost up to USD 50 per ton are also needed. CO₂ has been stored in a geological Northern Lights consortium in January not due for at least a year from now. There CO₂ from other customers willing to pay a a permit from ESA was not considered The willingness of foreign governments formation under the seabed since 1996 2019. The permit was given based on a have been consultations between the high price per ton of CO₂ sequestered, the as a major obstacle for the project earlier to cover the cost of sequestration of CO₂ in the Norwegian part of the North Sea. plan to investigate the formation and its Consortium, NLA and the Norwegian economics of the project may not make in the process. from their own CCS plants may therefore TheCO ₂ was separated from natural gas suitability for CO₂ storage. Equinor has Petroleum Directorate for a period of time it feasible as a commercial operation. The In conclusion, there do not seem to be a problem. The London convention CO extracted from the Sleipner gas field. Its conducted the exploration on its own, based regarding the application and its content. price for a ton of ₂ must be at least be any major legal or bureaucratic ob- may also be a major obstacle, as there USD 50, according to an earlier estimate stacles to prevent the Northern Lights may not be a legal way to export and storage in the Utsira geological formation on the plan and the conditions set in the The responsibility for the permit is shared by Equinor. At present the price is much Consortium from getting a permit from transport CO₂ across international borders. has been widely used as a proof that CO₂ permit. No external or independent entity between the NLA and the Petroleum Di- lower, down to 10 percent or less of the the Norwegian authorities to build a CO₂ storage already exists and that it will work was involved in the actual exploration of rectorate. If the application process runs as required price for a commercial operation. storage facility and receive CO₂ that can Tore Braend for other types of CO₂ storage as well. This the formation. Such independent scrutiny normal, the operation of the CO₂ storage The initial phase of the project will depend be stored there. But the project depends is not true. An article in Acid News No. 2 of the results will take place afterwards is unlikely to start before 2023–24. on massive government subsidies to get on massive subsidies from the Norwegian 1. https://airclim.org/acidnews/myths-about- June 20181 revealed the truth behind some when the application is submitted. As this is essentially a government project, off the ground. Subsidies are in principle government to build and operate the facil- carbon-storage-%E2%80%93-sleipner-case´ of the myths about this method of storage. The area has seen considerable oil and gas the progress of the project is absolutely forbidden within the EU Inner Market, ity. An investment decision has still not The CO₂ from the Sleipner field is close exploration and extraction activity in the dependent on an investment decision by the to the storage site, and has to be separated past. This has led to a substantial amount government. This has been postponed many from the natural gas anyway. This reduces of seismic data about the geological for- times already. Otherwise, the NLA does not the cost of the operation compared to CO₂ mations in the area. These data have been seem to see any substantial Norwegian legal Europeans call for zero being transported over long distances from analysed to determine the viability of the or administrative barriers to the project. CCS plants on land. The separation of CO₂ formations for CO₂ storage. Test drilling However, the legality of importing CO₂ from emissions by 2030 in poll from exhaust gases in power plants or started in November 2019, to extract cores CCS plants in other countries may not be industrial processes also adds to the cost, of material for further investigations. The so clear. The London Protocol, which aims EU needs to adopt ambitious and fair climate targets for 2030 in contrast to the Sleipner plant. test cores have been studied to see if the to stop the uncontrolled dumping of waste and 2040. A consortium of several major oil com- theories about the geology based on the in the ocean, has been changed in order panies has a project that aims to establish seismic data can be confirmed. According to allow “CO₂ sequestration in sub-seabed Last May the European Studies Centre at think governments should establish re- a very different type ofCO ₂ storage under to the website of the Northern Lights geological formations.” However, only the University of Oxford, in consultation training programmes for employees of the seabed in the North Sea. This is planned consortium, the results from drilling have six of the parties to the protocol have with experts from Bertelsmann Stiftung, fossil-fuel businesses to move to other to receive CO₂ by pipeline from temporary confirmed the suitability of the formation ratified this 2009 amendment to article conducted a poll of more than 12,000 industries”. The results of the poll are in storage onshore in Norway. The aim is to as storage for CO₂. The well will later be 6 of the London Protocol. Twenty-nine respondents between the ages of 16 and line with science calls, which say that if receive and store CO₂ from CCS plants used as an injection well when storage be- other signatories to the protocol need 69 in all 27 EU member states and the present emissions of GHGs continue at in Norway and in other countries. This is comes operational. No further test drilling to accept the amendment before it can United Kingdom about climate policies. the same level, the carbon budget that called the Northern Lights consortium, is planned, according to the Norwegian enter into force. In the meantime, ef- According to the poll “most Europeans can still be emitted to stay within the and consists of Equinor, Shell and Total. Environment Agency. forts have been made to get around this believe climate change requires imminent Paris target would be used up within 10 The area designated for storage is in a On its website the Northern Lights problem, and find a temporary solution. action. Carbon emissions from cars, planes years (1). geological formation called the Johansen consortium states that a permit from the Until the amendment can enter into and industry are an important driver of But the targets in the poll are not in line © REDAV/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Formation, situated between the Troll and Norwegian Environment Agency (NLA) force, or a temporary solution can be climate change. Europeans see greater with discussions in the EU about future Oseberg oilfields off the coast of Norway. is necessary before injection of CO₂ may found, other countries cannot export CO₂ urgency to reduce these emissions than climate targets. The current EU target is Last year, the United Nations’ Emis- Equinor was given permission to develop start. According to sources in the NLA, to the storage facility without coming the European Commission currently to reduce GHGs by 40% by 2030. The sions Gap Report said that at the global this CO₂ storage project on behalf of the an application from the Consortium is into conflict with the London Protocol. does”. The poll says that “on average, 58% EU Commission has proposed a new level, annual emission reductions of 7.6% of Europeans would like EU countries to reduction target of 55% by 2030 and between now and 2030 will be needed reduce their carbon emissions to no excess climate neutrality by 2050. The member to achieve the 1.5°C target of the Paris emissions by 2030. The current Commis- of the European Parliament in charge of Agreement. sion target of EU carbon neutrality by the new EU climate law, Jytte Guteland Climate Action Network Europe, a 2050 received the support of only 8% of from the Progressive Alliance of Social- coalition of more than 130 NGOs and the young and 10% of those aged 30–49 ists and Democrats (S&D), announced more than 40 million members, is also and 50–69. To encourage the transition in April 2020 that she will support an calling for at least a 65% reduction in away from fossil fuels, 69% of Europeans increase in the EU’s 2030 climate target GHGs by 2030 and for net-zero emis- think governments should concentrate to 65%. In October the EU parliament sions by 2040. on subsidising renewable energy. Besides voted for a 60% cut in greenhouse gas © MICHAELROUSHPHOTOGRAPHY/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM subsidising renewables, Europeans also emissions by 2030. Reinhold Pape

6 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 7 High health costs for air pollution in cities 37 countries say they have reduced Air pollution costs the average European city resident €1,276 per year, according to the largest study of its kind. GHGs by about 25% since 1990

A new study by CE Delft for the European Brescia and Turin face average financial The UN confirmed in October 2020 that the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has ex- impacts of between €2,843 and €2,076, had been ratified. amined data from 432 cities in the EU, according to the study. See table. the UK, Norway and Switzerland covering Particulate matter causes the vast ma- The 1997 Kyoto Protocol set binding ane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), countries that agreed to emission reduction a total population of 130 million people. jority of costs, 82.5 per cent on average, climate targets for developed countries, hydrofluorocarbons HFC( s), perfluoro- targets under the Doha Amendment,” said The report quantifies the monetary value followed by NO₂ (15%) and ozone (2.5%), which took effect in 2005. Its first com- carbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of of premature deaths, medical treatments, but these proportions vary considerably mitment period ran from 2008 to 2012 (SF6). Apart from the emissions, biomass UN Climate Change. “Globally however, lost working days and other health costs between cities. and set an average reduction target of 5% carbon sinks were taken into account . emissions have been rising, which clarifies due to exposure to three health damaging Transport is a major source of urban air compared to 1990 levels. The protocol’s Reducing methane emissions has for a the urgent need for greater ambition,” air pollutants: particulate matter (PM), pollution, with an annual cost of €67–80 second phase, called the second commit- long time been seen as one of the cheap- she added. ozone (O₃) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). billion in the EU28 in 2016, according ment period, was established by the Doha est measures to comply with the Kyoto The assessment under the Doha Amend- Added together, air pollution costs for to a previous EPHA report. Emissions Amendment in 2012 and runs from 2013 Protocol. The 2019 National Inventory ment revealed that the GHG reductions city residents amount to €166 billion per from diesel vehicles were estimated to to 2020. The amendment strengthened Report from the Swedish Environmental have generally been achieved through year, or €385 million per city on average. be responsible for more than four-fifths quantified emission limitation or reduction Protection Board states, for example, that national mitigation actions. The larger the population affected by high of these costs. commitments for 37 developed countries during the commitment periods of the “This shows the potential of consistently pollution levels, the higher the number of This new study shows that even small and set a goal to reduce GHG emissions Kyoto Protocol methane emissions (CH₄) implementing climate change policies and people who lose working days and have changes to transport habits and city poli- by 18% compared to 1990 levels. have decreased by 39% in Sweden. actions at the national level. Through the a shorter life expectancy. cies can make a substantial difference to In addition, if current annual average Countries were allowed to offset emis- NDC process, countries have the oppor- With its 8.8 million inhabitants, London such costs. A one-per-cent increase in the emissions of Annex B parties (amount- sions by investing in carbon-cutting tunity to further advance climate policies has the highest social cost, amounting to average journey time to work increases © HELEN SUSHITSKAYA/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM ing to 5,696 Mt CO₂eq in the period projects in poorer nations and most de- and actions, and to ratchet them up over €11.38 billion a year, well ahead of other the costs of PM10 emissions by 0.29 per 2013–2018) remain at this level for 2019 veloped countries have fulfilled their time” Ms. Espinosa underlined. European cities such as Bucharest (€6.35 cent and those of NO₂ emissions by 0.54 for transport policy in order to support, and 2020, the emission reduction target commitments. bn), Berlin (€5.24 bn), Warsaw (€4.22 per cent, the study found. And a one per not to hinder, a healthy recovery from the of 18% could be further exceeded. UN Climate Change is expected to publish Compiled by Reinhold Pape bn), Rome (€4.14 bn) and Paris (€3.6 bn). cent increase in the number of cars in a COVID-19 pandemic.” The assessment of the latest information a formal review of countries’ carbon-cutting When costs per capita are examined city increases overall costs by almost 0.5 CE Delft researchers used the latest received from parties with commitments efforts during the period to 2020. instead, Bucharest ranks first with €3,004 per cent. complete data from Eurostat and official under the Doha Amendment (Annex B “While the results of this assessment per year. Poorer cities tend to lose a higher EPHA Acting Secretary General Sascha monitoring stations, from 2018, to cal- parties), shows that total aggregate GHG are very encouraging, they only apply share of income, especially in highly Marschang said: “Our study reveals the culate the harm caused and the resulting emissions were 25.3% lower than in 1990. to a group of some 37 polluted and densely populated cities in magnitude of the damage toxic air is costs. It should be noted that indoor air The Kyoto Protocol covers six categories central and eastern Europe, where wages causing to people’s health and the huge pollution, a significant cause of illness, of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: are lower. In many cities in Bulgaria, health inequalities that exist between and was not included in the study. carbon dioxide (CO₂), Romania and Poland the health-related within countries in Europe. To a large Air pollution is the number one cause meth- social costs are up to 8–10 per cent of extent, the situation can be influenced by of premature deaths from environmen- income earned. transport policies and cities can reduce tal factors in Europe, according to the However, five of the top ten ranking costs by switching to zero-emission urban European Environment Agency (EEA). cities with the highest per capita costs are mobility. Governments and the European The problem is greatest in cities, where in Italy. Citizens of Milan, Padua, Venice, Union should bear these costs in mind about three-quarters of EU citizens live. According to the 2019 EEA assessment Table: Top-ten list of cities with the highest per capita cost of air pollution damage. of air quality in Europe, excess levels of City Country Total annual cost (€) Per capita cost (€) PM2.5 caused more than 400,000 early deaths annually, followed by NO₂ (71,000) Bucharest Romania 6,345,139,100 3,004 and ozone (15,000) in 2016. Milan Italy 3,498,940,400 2,843 Padua Italy 508,127,300 2,455 Warsaw Poland 4,222,682,700 2,433 Christer Ågren Bratislava Slovakia 891,503,000 2,168 Venice Italy 552,318,900 2,106 Source: EPHA press release, 21 October 2020. Brescia Italy 399,212,500 2,106 More information, including a full list of cities Sofia Bulgaria 2,575,337,600 2,084 analysed, and a link to the report “Health costs of Turin Italy 1,815,447,400 2,076 air pollution in European cities and the linkage with Münich Germany 2,877,847,400 1,984 transport” is available at: https://cleanair4health.eu © PICS OF MY LIFE SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

8 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 9

IMO paves way for ris- Stop the discharge of Shipping on its way into Billion-dollar sav- New reports on North Sea methane leak

M O .C ing GHG emissions from washwater from scrub- ETS K ings for con- C ships’ GHG caused by oil industry O T S R E T shipping bers tainer lines T emissions blow-out U When the European Parliament voted H S / R on its position for the revision of the E By approving a proposal that will allow Ships should switch to cleaner fuels rather N It was expected U Three new brief- The leak was caused by a major blow- T EU’s monitoring, reporting and verifica- R SO O the shipping sector’s 1 billion tonnes of than using scrubbers to reduce their ₂ F that the new ings relating to out during an oil drilling operation 30

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tion (MRV) system for ship emissions in O

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annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emissions, says the international research 0.5-per-cent sul- A greenhouse gas years ago, and is still emitting methane.

G I

September, they agreed that ships must V A

to keep rising for the rest of this decade, organisation International Council for phur fuels (also © emissions from “Like many places across the North Sea, be included in the EU Emissions Trading governments have backtracked on their the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which known as VLSFO) maritime shipping climate-destroying methane has been

System (ETS) and that shipping companies own commitments, according to environ- consists of more than 4,000 researchers that became man- were recently made leaking here for decades, yet the oil and should reduce their annual average CO₂

mental organisations. The decision was from 20 countries. datory as from 1 available by the Eu- gas industry, instead of closing the leak emissions per transport unit for all their taken at a key meeting of the International Until such a fuel shift is completed, the January 2020 would ropean Parliament: and monitoring it, continues to drill holes ships by at least 40 per cent by 2030.

Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Marine discharging of scrubber water into the be significantly more • Greenhouse gas in the seabed, while decision-makers turn

“The Parliament is tired of inaction in the

Environment Protection Committee marine environment should be avoided. expensive than traditional emissions from shipping: a blind eye.” said Dr Sandra Schöttner face of steadily rising shipping emissions. during 16–20 November. According to ICES, this will require high-sulphur bunker fuel with a waiting for concrete progress at from Greenpeace. In 1990, the Swedish This is a clear signal to President von der As acknowledged by many countries in significant investment in technological price spread of around USD 200 per ton. IMO level. Link: https://www.europarl. Stena Drilling Company, on behalf of Leyen that the EU’s more ambitious 2030 the talks, the approved proposal breaks the advances and port reception facilities to As container lines typically use around europa.eu/thinktank/en/document. Mobil North Sea (now Exxon Mobil), climate target must apply to maritime initial IMO GHG strategy in three crucial enable the use of closed-loop scrubber 55 million tons fuel per year, this would html?reference=IPOL_BRI(2020)652754 accidentally tapped a gas pocket with the emissions too and that ships must pay ways. It will fail to reduce emissions before systems with land-based disposal and result in added costs of USD 11 billion • Decarbonising maritime transport: drilling platform High Seas Driller while for all of their pollution in the EU carbon 2023, will not peak emissions as soon as treatment. in 2020, according to analyst firm Sea- The EU perspective. Link: https:// searching for oil, causing a blow-out that market,” said Faïg Abbasov at Transport possible, and will not set shipping CO₂ Until scrubber water discharge can be Intelligence. www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ resulted in several craters on the seabed. & Environment (T&E). emissions on a pathway consistent with avoided, ICES recommends that: A) Dis- But the price spread has since then etudes/BRIE/2020/659296/EPRS_ An international team of scientists had The Parliament also agreed that by 2030 the Paris Agreement goals. charges in specific areas (e.g. Particularly narrowed considerably, to the significant BRI(2020)659296_EN.pdf previously been to this site and estimated ships should be required to stop emitting Nations and regions serious about Sensitive Sea Areas and Special Areas, as benefit of shipping lines. “If we assume • Monitoring, reporting and verifica- in 2015 that up to 90 litres of methane per harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases facing the climate crisis must now take defined by the IMO) should be banned; the VLSFO fuel price for November and tion of CO₂ emissions from maritime second were being released. The leaking when docked in EU ports, and called for immediate national and regional action B) Stringent limits for contaminants in December remains at the same average transport. Link: https://www.europarl. borehole has been returned by Exxon the monitoring system for shipping emis- to curb ship emissions, the environmental discharge water should be set and enforced; level as seen in August–October 2020, europa.eu/thinktank/en/document. Mobil to the British state, which in 2000 sions to be made more transparent, too. NGOs said. Nations should act swiftly to and C) Further development of standards we will end 2020 at a point where the html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2019)642224 determined that further monitoring was set carbon equivalent intensity regulations and protocols for measuring, monitoring, Sources: T&E press release, 15 September 2020; carriers collectively have saved 2.2 bil- not required, believing that the reservoir consistent with the Paris Agreement for and reporting on scrubber discharge water Shipping Watch, 17 September 2020. lion USD on fuel, compared to 2019,” would soon be depleted. But 30 years later ships calling at their ports; require ships for contaminants and other parameters writes the firm. the greenhouse gas keeps escaping into to report and pay for their pollution where should be ensured the atmosphere. According to a recent they dock, and start to create low- and Source: Shipping Watch, 26 October 2020 independent study, an estimated total zero-emission priority shipping corridors. Source: ICES Viewpoint, 24 September 2020. Link: © NICOSTOCK/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM of 8,000–30,000 tonnes of methane per http://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20 year escape from gas leaks from more Source: Joint statement from Pacific Environ- Reports/Advice/2020/2020/vp.2020.01.pdf than 15,000 boreholes in the North Sea ment, WWF and the Clean Shipping Coalition, 17 #WorldWeWant Cam- Low Energy Demand November 2020. – adding to the 72,000 tonnes of methane paign on Climate Impacts (LED) study scenario, that normal operations of platforms in The campaign by Climate Action Net- without using CCS: the North Sea release every year. work drives collective action through LED is one of four illustrative model https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press- the stories of communities affected by pathways in the IPCC Special Report on release/44638/greenpeace-documents-north-sea- the climate crisis and serves as a clarion Global Warming of 1.5°C, which does not methane-leak-caused-by-oil-industry-blow-out/ call for governments to address multiple use CCS and which quantifies the impacts and compounding crises to protect their of digitalization, a sharing economy and citizens and ensure a safe and resilient behavioural change. LED is a low long- future. Through compelling, locally- term global energy demand scenario. The produced, short smartphone videos we drastic transformative changes on the energy witness how decades of inaction on the end-use side enable rapid decarbonisation climate crisis are impacting people, but of the energy supply and near-zero emis- also learn how communities are using sions by 2050, and demonstrate significant grassroots solutions in both developing co-benefits for six of theUN Sustainable and developed countries to hold their Development Goals (SDGs). leaders accountable. https://iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/research- http://www.climatenetwork.org/event/worldwe- Programs/TransitionstoNewTechnologies/Low_En- want-campaign-climate-impacts ergy_Demand.html © FOTOHUNTER/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM © VCHAL/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

10 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 11 Ambition levels and targets become an example of how this sec- analysis also addresses more technologies The European Commission proposes the tor can be transformed. Therefore, the and heat sources. The European Commis- increase of the climate target to a 55% 3% renovation requirement of the EED sion has also published recommendations greenhouse emission reduction for 2030. should be expanded to all public build- to help member states in the development However, as action in the next 10 years will ings, prioritising deep renovations. This of these assessments. be decisive in reaching the 1.5°C objective, would help create a “renovation wave” in The updated requirements are a good the EU needs to increase its 2030 climate the public sector and deliver on its leading starting point for a more systematic con- target to at least 65% by the end of 2020. role, for example through the renovation sideration of the need to tap into the According to the Commission, with a of schools and hospitals. energy efficiency potential. However, it 2030 climate target of 55%, the energy needs to be ensured that they lead to the consumption in end use sectors should Article 7 implementation of policies that form a fall by 36–37%, while primary energy The EED revision needs to consider ad- holistic approach. The aim should be to consumption would need to decrease by justments to the legal architecture set by reduce demand and move towards a fully 39–41%, by putting stronger policies in the energy savings obligation in Article renewable energy system, while phasing out place2. AirClim supports CAN Europe’s call 7. This is a key provision of the Directive, fossil fuels. Furthermore, many provisions for an increase in the level of ambition of as it is intended to contribute more than of Article 14, which are largely linked to the EU’s 2030 energy savings target to at half of the total energy savings needed to promoting combined heat and power least 45% and to make the target binding. achieve the EU’s 2020 and 2030 energy (CHP) generation, often using fossil fuels, Reducing energy demand offers multiple efficiency targets4. Under Article 7 of are outdated. They need to be revised so benefits beyond greenhouse gas emission the EED, member states are required to that they facilitate the energy transition reductions, such as lowering dependency deliver a minimum level of energy savings and the achievement of the EU’s long-term on energy imports, job creation and im- through national energy efficiency policies climate goals. proving health. A stronger and binding and measures implemented among final In summary, the EED should be revised target is also a key enabler for the success energy consumers. to include an increased level of ambition of other Commission initiatives such as During the 2014–2020 period, member for the 2030 energy efficiency target the Renovation Wave, the Energy Sector states had to achieve 1.5% energy savings within a mutually reinforcing climate Integration Strategy, the Industrial Strategy per year. However, the implementation of and energy policy framework. Reducing and the Circular Economy Action Plan. this provision was largely linked to the the overall energy consumption is the © KIRILLOV ALEXEY/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM use of loopholes, which reduced its level foundation for accelerating climate ac- Other provisions and measures of ambition from 1.5% to around 0.75% tion and achieving carbon neutrality. In Revision of the Energy Efficiency Beyond the energy efficiency target, the energy savings per year. short, energy efficiency is a key element revision of the EED needs to make sure In 2018, this provision was revised for a sustainable, resilient and equitable that the Energy Efficiency First principle, and extended beyond 2020. For the new post-COVID recovery that can support a Directive for stronger climate action a core focus of the energy policy in the EU, period beyond 2020, although the use of profound transformation of the economy is supported by binding implementing leg- loopholes has been practically eliminated, and the energy system in line with the A bold energy efficiency policy is the precondition for successful climate action. For theEU to islation and regulations. Enforcement has the level of ambition for annual energy Paris Agreement goals. Strengthening the reach the increased ambitions of the European Green Deal, revising the Energy Efficiency not been fully effective, and some rules need savings to be achieved was set at 0.8% EED will help to achieve this. Directive is vital. AirClim supports CAN Europe’s call for an increase in the level of ambition to be reinforced, including on monitoring instead of 1.5%. of the EU’s 2030 energy savings target to at least 45% and for the target to be binding. and reporting. The recommendations below Taking into account the importance of Emilia Samuelsson with contribution could help in that direction. this provision for the energy efficiency from Dora Petroula, CAN Europe target, the increase in the level of the The Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/ for both 2020 and 2030 are non-binding. the sum of these contributions leaves a Article 5 energy savings obligation should be Based on The Coalition for Energy Savings feedback the roadmap on the Energy Efficiency Directive EU (EED), which was adopted in 2012, This sends a weak signal to investors about gap of around 3 percentage points to the Article 5 sets rules for the renovation of considered, together with a reinforced established a common set of measures the priority that should be given to energy current EU energy efficiency target for and CAN Europe’s feedback to the roadmap on public buildings by requiring member monitoring system and a simplification the Energy Efficiency Directive for the promotion of energy efficiency. efficiency. 2030. This underlines the importance of states to renovate 3% of the total area of of its implementation to guarantee its 1. https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/pro- Originally the aim was to ensure the This is also indicated by the current binding targets. heated and/or cooled buildings owned enforcement. achievement of the 20% headline target trends. After a gradual decrease since 2005, With the Commission’s proposal to gress_report_towards_the_implementation_of_ and occupied by central government. the_energy_efficiency_directive_com2020954.pdf for energy efficiency. In 2018, as part of the trend reversed in 2014. This worrying increase the climate target for 2030, The building sector is the single largest Article 14 2. https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/ the Clean energy for all Europeans pack- overall development was most prevalent there is a new opportunity to improve energy consumer in Europe, responsible Under Article 14, all member states need news/europes-new-climate-plan-heralds-energy- age, the EED was revised to update the in buildings and transport. In 2018, final and strengthen the level of ambition for for more than one third of EU emissions. to perform a comprehensive assessment of transformation/ policy framework, and a headline energy and primary energy consumption in the energy efficiency as well as for renew- But less than 1% of buildings undergo their heating and cooling potential, focus- efficiency target was set for 2030 at a level EU were 3.5 percent and 4.6 percent re- able energy. This is also indicated in 3. https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/energy- energy efficiency renovation every year, ing on the application of high-efficiency efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/renovation- of at least 32.5%. spectively above the 20 percent efficiency the Commission’s Impact Assessment so timely action is crucial. cogeneration and efficient district heating wave_en Although the EED strengthened the target set for 20201. accompanying the 2030 Climate Target Currently, roughly 75% of the build- and cooling. In 2019, the requirements for EU energy efficiency policy framework, it The indications for beyond 2020 are Plan, which foresees among things, the 4. http://energycoalition.eu/sites/default/ ing stock is energy inefficient, yet almost these assessments were updated to state files/20200911_Article%207%20EED_corrected%20 still has some significant weaknesses. For also far from ideal. According to the revision of the EED and the Renewable 85–95% of today’s buildings will still be more precisely what information member version%20September%202020.pd example, the EU energy efficiency targets European Commission’s assessment, Energy Directive in summer 2021. in use in 20503. Public buildings should states should provide, and ensure that the

12 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 13 the EU parliament in a letter pressing for was meant to enhance the environmental sent on 30 October, asked European Com- action and a far-reaching reform of the performance of the CAP. mission President Ursula von der Leyen EU agriculture policy not EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) However, greening has received substantial to withdraw the proposal. The letter states without delay. The document outlines the criticism that it is ineffective. A report by the that the proposal would allow billions of harmful effects that the intensive agriculture European Court of Auditors found greening harmful subsidies, erode the basic “do- model, supported by the current CAP, has has led to changes in farming practices on no-harm” baseline and remove safeguards in line with the Green Deal on biodiversity, asserting that much of this only around 5% of all EU farmland. The in areas such as irrigation expansion. In damage could soon be irreversible. study found that the EU spent €12 billion addition, it would limit ambitions for the The current reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has been criticised for failing to live up to CAP subsidies have approached €60 per year on it, representing 30% of all CAP climate, environment, animal welfare and the Green Deal. The agriculture sector has a vast impact on our ability to achieve climate targets billion per year for the last seven years, direct payments and almost 8% of the public health. The NGOs see no potential and to limit harmful effects on the environment. much of which funds intensive and whole EU budget. The report concluded for trialogue negotiations to fix the situation, factory farming. The letter suggests that that greening was unlikely to deliver sig- but ask for a new reform that is based on this money could instead be used for nificant benefits for the environment and supporting farmers in the transition from One key challenge tion. Agriculture generates vast amounts at when it comes unsustainable farming. for the agricul- the recovery of biodiversity and rural climate. Furthermore, a large share of the industrial agriculture towards a Green- carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, Agricultural intensification generates loss ture sector is to feed the growing global human population. The budget period subsidised practices would have been un- Deal-compatible CAP. and in total accounts for about a third and fragmentation of landscape types population at the same time as reducing has reached its end and there were high dertaken anyway. Another weakness that Another open letter sent by The Greens environmental impact and preserving of global greenhouse gases. The world’s and semi-natural habitats that are vital hopes and expectation for the reforming the study highlighted was the significant in the European Parliament stated that food systems produced about 16 billion for ensuring ecological connectivity and natural resources for future generations. of the policy. TheEU must be a “pioneer complexity that greening adds to the CAP, “without serious action through the CAP, CO UN Today, about half the ice-free land surface of tons of ₂ equivalents each year from biodiversity conservation. The has an- in responding to these challenges” and generating confusing overlaps with other the goals of the EU’s Green Deal, biodi- our planet is devoted to crop and livestock 2012 to 2017. New studies have shown nounced that one million species around the CAP must be part of that response, CAP-related environmental requirements. versity strategy and Farm2Fork strategy production, which in turn creates multiple that if emissions from food production the planet are at risk of extinction, with rather than continuing to contribute to December 2020 is supposed to be the are in jeopardy”, and that the budget of harmful effects. The environmental impacts continue on the current path, they will agriculture the primary culprit in what environmental degradation. last month of the current seven-year CAP nearly 400 billion euros (about a third of include deforestation, soil degradation and reach a cumulative 1356 billion tons of is being hailed as the sixth mass extinc- The previous reform of theCAP included programme and the new reform has the EU budget) that has been used for the irrigation. Practices such as fertilisation CO₂equivalents by the end of the century. tion. A diversity of species and ecosystem the key system of green payments, also called prompted high expectations of important agricultural sector “are about to be wasted”. and pesticide use release nitrates, ammonia This level of emissions would in itself heat services cannot be created directly, but greening. This is the only direct payment changes. In 2018, the European Com- In a reply to the Greens, von der Leyen ˚ and phosphorus that negatively affect air, the world by more than 1.5 C by the 2060s.1 policies can promote them by favouring under the CAP for which the main objective mission presented legislative proposals said she shared some of the doubts raised water and soil quality and harm nature Policies need to address this development certain landscape elements and manage- is environmental. It was introduced in 2013 on CAP for the period 2021–27. This in the letter, and that at this stage certain and human health. with effective measures. ment practices. and rewarded farmers for compliance with year, on 20 October, ministers agreed a elements seem unable to forge a final CAP When it comes to the greenhouse effect, The effect on biodiversity and ecosystem Last year, over 2,500 scientists across goals to safeguard environmental require- general approach to the post-2020 CAP that could deliver on the Green Deal objec- agriculture makes a substantial contribu- services is another important aspect to look the EU joined forces and reached out to ments. Through this mechanism, greening reform package after a two-day negotia- tives. However, despite these reservations, tion session. The agreement introduced von der Leyen remains convinced that © DESIGNRAGE/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM instruments such as mandatory eco- the negotiation process, if supported by a schemes and enhanced conditionality. joint desire to honour the EU’s commit- The agreed position also gives member ment towards sustainability, “can result in states flexibility in how they would achieve a new CAP that is fit for purpose” and is environmental goals. It thus creates a therefore not considering a withdrawal. system in which each member state is German environment minister Svenja CAP responsible for creating its own Schulze stated on behalf of Germany’s strategic plan that describes how they will EU Council presidency at the end of direct the CAP funding towards specific October that the compromise position of targets and how these will contribute to the CAP reform does not go far enough the overall EU targets.2 on climate change or nature protection, But environmental non-governmental and said “Everybody must contribute to organisations (NGOs) warn that the position working our way out of the climate crisis, agreed in the European Parliament and even the agriculture sector.” Council has watered down the proposed environmental protections. The European Emilia Samuelsson Environmental Bureau (EEB), WWF and other green groups reminded president 1. https://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/ Ursula von der Leyen of the fact that the science.aba7357 EU executive had undertaken to recall the reform proposal tabled by the previ- 2. https://www.endseurope.com/article/1699305/ in-depth-europes-cap-reform-plans-compatible- ous commission only if the EU Council green-deal and Parliament did not weaken its “green architecture” 3. 3. https://www.endseurope.com/article/1698933/ An open letter from multiple NGOs, von-der-leyen-scrap-watered-down-cap-reforms

14 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 15 © UDMER ZWERVER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

taken at farm level to slash methane Commission’s methane strategy barely greenhouse gas emissions. The polluter-pays are also effective in reducing ammonia, refers to this need, saying that “lifestyle principle, included in the Treaty on the and thus constitute a double win for air and diet changes could also contribute Functioning of the European Union, of quality. Such measures include coverage substantially to reducing EU methane which the European Commission should of slurry basins, frequent removal of emissions”, without any further elabo- be the guardian, requires all polluters to manure from the stable, small-scale ration on how this critically important take responsibility for and remedy their extraction of biogas from slurries, and measure should be pursued in practice. pollution. Industrial farming cannot be acidification of the slurry. If the Com- The strategy also fails to set binding exempted from obligations deriving from mission and our governments promoted emissions reduction targets for total existing air quality laws and the (soon- the implementation of these measures methane emissions (both EU-wide to-be) climate law – all sectors must play at farm level, coupled with effective and for member countries) and avoids their part. monitoring of their application, we any reference to the need for mandatory In the face of the current environmental, would see a remarkable reduction in air measures to be adopted at farm level. climate and health crises, it is imperative pollution and greenhouse gases from Meanwhile, official emissions data shows that every cent we spend and every measure agriculture. that methane emissions from agriculture we take is future-proof. But even if all the available technical have increased since 2013. measures are taken, they will not be Through the Common Agricultural Margherita Tolotto EU’s methane strategy fails on agriculture sufficient, as they must be accompanied Policy, the agricultural sector is receiv- Air Pollution Officer by reductions in meat and milk produc- ing public money without making any European Environmental Bureau No reduction targets, no mandatory actions to cut methane emissions from agricultural tion and consumption. Regrettably, the significant efforts to cut pollution or farms, and no coherence with existing climate and air quality objectives are some of the reasons why the Commission’s Methane Strategy is inadequate. © ILJA RYTKINEN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Why is it important to focus on methane? of their latest attempt to try to prove immediately start throwing water. This Methane is both accelerating climate that there could still be a future for fossil is the time to throw water. breakdown and contaminating the air we fuels. Tackling emissions from the energy To slash agricultural methane, the breathe, generating ground-level ozone sector is of course important, but in itself Commission could start from the same that harms people’s health, crops and not enough, as it leaves over four-fifths of approach they apply to methane emis- ecosystems. Yet, up until now no serious methane emissions unaddressed. sions from the energy sector and target action has been taken to limit methane So why is the Commission deliberately “super emitters”, which also exist in the emissions, and the European Commission’s ignoring agricultural methane even though livestock farming sector, i.e. large farms Methane Strategy published in October it accounts for over half of all EU methane with more than 50 livestock units that is not up to the challenge. emissions? Most probably because it is a account for more than two-thirds of Methane comes from a range of sources. challenging task, with strong opposition agricultural methane emissions in the In the EU in 2017, the energy sector from the big industrial farming lobby. EU, and about 40 per cent of all EU accounted for about 16 per cent of total Nevertheless, cutting methane emissions methane emissions. anthropogenic methane emissions, while from farms is absolutely essential. Moreover, the Commission should pro- EU legislation reveals steep decline in carbon stored in European forests 28 per cent came from the waste sector. In its strategy, the Commission men- mote a comprehensive set of measures to Environmental NGOs are The remaining 54 per cent emanated from tions lack of reliable data as the main reduce agricultural methane. The strategy deeply con- forest reference levels, showing how much these amount to an 18.7 per cent drop in agriculture. Here, enteric fermentation issue preventing effective action on ag- only puts forward two solutions: feeding cerned about the development of forestry carbon their forests will store over this the carbon sink from early 2000s levels. of ruminants (belching and flatulence) ricultural methane. However, this is not strategies, mainly based on additives, and in Europe and how these forests store decade. Member states’ low baselines are This jeopardises the integrity of theEU ’s accounted for about 81 per cent and a valid argument: air pollutant emis- biogas plants. However, changing animal carbon and protect biodiversity. They are not the only the way that the LULUCF 2030 climate target and is not in line with manure management and use for most sions are commonly reported under the feed is just an end-of-pipe solution that very concerned about the latest develop- regulation has enabled Europe’s forests goals to maintain or enhance the carbon of the rest. National Emission Ceilings Directive does not tackle other issues such as am- ments in how forests should be dealt with to lose carbon. It fudged the numbers stored in forests.” In early 2020, the Commission an- using a methodology that the Commis- monia emissions. Ammonia originates in EU climate policy. on how much carbon dioxide (CO₂) was The problems that face us now are the nounced that a methane strategy covering sion perplexingly considers insufficient from manure, slurry and fertilisation, According to FERN, “by 2025, European considered stored in forests historically. result of many years of ignoring GHG all major emission sectors – energy, waste as a basis for action on methane from and is a leading precursor of the haz- forests are likely to hold 18% less carbon TheLULUCF regulation carefully chose emissions from the burning of fossil and agriculture – was going to be adopted agriculture. In the unlikely event that ardous particles that pollute the air we than in the early 2000s, according to infor- a historical baseline that allowed Europe fuels. Normally biofuels from forests are soon. Good news! Or so we thought. But the Commission seriously believes that breathe. Turning manure into biogas, mation published today by the European to ‘hide’ around 40 million tons of CO₂ considered a renewable source of energy instead the Commission’s strategy leaves available data is insufficient, this is still unless it is limited to small-scale and on Commission. The new figures have been emissions caused by increased logging. when viewed against the approximately a bitter taste in our mouths, as the only no reason to waste precious time, because farm-consumption, is not a way forward released under the EU’s Land Use, Land Now, the reference levels presented in the 80-year life cycle of trees. In a situation sector touched by “real action” is energy. methane emissions from farming pose an either, as it risks incentivising more in- Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) delegated act, which are future baselines, where the carbon budget for CO₂ that Why? Because it is easy. acute climate, health and environmental tensive livestock farming, or the use of regulation, which was agreed in 2018 and will allow member states and the UK to is needed to meet the 1.5°C target has The biggest oil and gas companies hazard. If your house is on fire, you do plants suitable for human consumption which accounts for carbon emissions from further reduce the CO₂ stored in their decreased, this position has changed. have already autonomously set their not try to calculate the exact amount of to produce more biogas. land and forests. Under it, member states forests by another 40 million tons over the own methane reduction targets as part water that is needed to put it out, you Many of the measures that can be are required to develop baselines, called first half of this decade. Taken together, Reinhold Pape

16 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 17 © ZLIKOVEC/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM of soil, lakes and rivers, causing the loss of biodiversity. In 2018, six per cent of Air quality is slowly improving the European ecosystem area was exposed to acidifying depositions exceeding the Better air quality in Europe has led to a reduction in premature deaths over the past limits of nature’s tolerance. decade, but excessive levels of hazardous tiny particles are still causing more than Emissions of NH₃ and NOx also disrupt 400,000 premature deaths every year. land and water ecosystems by introducing excessive amounts of nutrient nitrogen, Air pollution shortens causing eutrophication (the over-supply people’s lifespan to the highest levels of air pollution. In In the 41 European countries considered, of nutrients), with resulting impacts on and contributes to serious illnesses such 2018, around 70 per cent of the EU urban 417,000 premature deaths in 2018 were biodiversity. In 2018, about 65 per cent as heart disease, respiratory problems and population was exposed to levels of fine attributed to PM2.5 exposure, 55,000 to cancer. A new report from the European particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding the nitrogen dioxide exposure and 20,600 Table 2. Estimates of premature deaths Environment Agency (EEA) presents the air quality guidelines established by the to ozone exposure. In the EU-28, the attributable to exposure to PM2.5, NO2 and O3 in 41 European countries in 2018. latest official air quality data reported by World Health Organization (WHO) to numbers of premature deaths attributed PM2.5 NO₂ O₃ more than 4,000 monitoring stations protect people’s health. And 99 per cent to PM2.5, NO₂ and O₃ exposure were Austria 6 100 790 420 EU across Europe in 2018. It shows that of urban citizens were exposed to 379,000, 54,000 and 19,400, respectively Belgium 7 400 1 200 350 despite slow improvements (see Figure), ozone levels above the WHO’s guideline (see Table 2). Bulgaria 12 500 1 100 320 high concentrations of air pollutants still value (see Table 1). Country-by-country data is presented Croatia 5 100 90 250 have significant health impacts, with The monitoring revealed PM2.5 con- for the estimated number of years of life Cyprus 620 210 40 particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) centrations in excess of the binding EU lost (YLL) and the YLL per 100,000 in- Czech 10 900 300 580 Republic and ground-level ozone (O₃) causing the limit values in six EU member states habitants due to exposure to the various Denmark 3 100 10 150 greatest harm. (Poland, Czechia, Bulgaria, Romania, pollutants. Regarding the latter, the largest Estonia 610 30 People living in urban areas are exposed Croatia and Italy). impacts from PM2.5 were observed in the Finland 1 700 90 central and eastern European countries, France 33 100 5 900 2 300 i.e. Kosovo, Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria and Figure: Percentage of EU urban population exposed to air pollutant concentrations above Germany 63 100 9 200 4 000 WHO air quality guidelines (2000–2018) North Macedonia. Greece 11 800 3 000 650 The largest health impacts attribut- Hungary 13 100 850 590 able to NO₂ exposure, expressed as YLL Ireland 1 300 50 60 per 100,000 inhabitants, were found Italy 52 300 10 400 3 000 Latvia 1 800 70 60 in Greece, Monaco, Romania, Cyprus, Lithuania 2 700 10 90 Italy and Spain. Regarding ozone, the Luxembourg 210 40 10 countries with the highest rates of YLL Malta 230 10 per 100,000 inhabitants were Monaco, Netherlands 9 900 1 600 410 of the European ecosystem area was ex- the spread of Covid-19 are presented Albania, Hungary, Croatia and Czechia. Poland 46 300 1 900 1 500 posed to nitrogen deposition exceeding in a special chapter in the report. The It should be noted that the impacts Portugal 4 900 750 370 the critical eutrophication limits. lockdown measures resulted in a decrease estimated for each pollutant may not Romania 25 000 3 500 730 As this year’s report celebrates the 10th in emissions, particularly from transport be added to determine the total impact Slovakia 4 900 40 230 edition, a trend analysis for the main sources, and a subsequent decrease in air attributable to exposure to the three Slovenia 1 700 50 100 Spain 23 000 6 800 1 800 pollutants was performed for the period pollution concentrations. pollutants. Because concentrations Sweden 3 100 240 2009–2018. This showed among other Reductions in NO₂ levels were greatest – especially those of PM2.5 and NO₂ – United 32 900 6 000 1 000 things that improvements in air quality where lockdown measures were more are correlated, additions may result in Kingdom achieved over the ten-year period have severe, i.e. in Spain, Italy and France, and double counting. Total EU28 379 370 53 860 19 380 resulted in around 60,000 fewer people On top of the health impacts, air Albania 5 000 100 180 the biggest estimated reduction, of around dying prematurely due to PM2.5 in 2018, pollution continues to damage vegetation Andorra 30 70 per cent, occurred at traffic stations and ecosystems. Elevated concentrations Bosnia & 5 100 90 150 compared to 2009. in Spain and Italy. Levels of PM10 were Herzegovina “TheEEA ’s data prove that investing in also generally lowered across Europe in of ground-level ozone, for example, dam- Iceland 60 Table1. Percentage of EU urban population exposed to air pollutant concentrations above EU better air quality is an investment for better April 2020, although less than for NO₂. age agricultural crops, forests and plants. Kosovo 4 000 90 80 and WHO reference levels in 2018. health and productivity for all Europeans. In 2018, the EU’s long-term objective Lichtenstein 20 The greatest reductions, of around 35–40 Pollutant EU reference Exposure WHO air quality Exposure for the protection of vegetation was Monaco 20 10 Policies and actions that are consistent per cent, were estimated at traffic stations estimate (%) guideline (μg/m³) estimate (%) value (μg/m³) exceeded in 95 per cent of the total EU Montenegro 640 10 30 with EU’s zero pollution ambition, lead in Spain and Italy. PM Day (50) 15 Year (20) 48 10 agricultural area, and the critical level for North 3 000 130 50 to longer and healthier lives and more PM Year (25) 4 Year (10) 74 Macedonia 2.5 the protection of forests was exceeded in resilient societies,” said EEA Executive Christer Ågren O3 8-hour (120) 34 8-hour (100) 99 Norway 1 400 40 90 Director Hans Bruyninckx. 87 per cent of the total EU forest area. San Marino 30 NO2 Year (40) 4 Year (40) 4 An analysis of the impacts of the lock- The report “Air quality in Europe – 2020 report” Excess deposition of sulphur and nitrogen Serbia 14 600 430 280 BaP Year (1 ng/m3) 15 Year (0.12 ng/m3) 75 (EEA Report No. 9/2020) is available at: www. compounds (from emissions of SO₂, NOx, Switzerland 3 500 270 350 down measures implemented between SO2 Day (125) < 1 Day (20) 19 eea.europa.eu and NH₃) contribute to the acidification Total all 416 770 55 030 20 590 the end of February and May to stop

18 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 19 the physical energy system with its users. outskirts of cities. These systems are usu- Geothermal energy for direct use: Hence, consumer behaviour matters more ally installed on, or integrated with, the With the need to decarbonise the heating than just the energy system alone. Innova- roofs and facades of buildings. sector, and recognising the potential and tions in energy systems have contributed advantages of direct use of geothermal Solar thermal: to the view and practice of the prosumer, Solar thermal systems, energy, applications in cities have been an actor that is both a consumer and a which rely on different types of solar growing. Globally, the installed capacity producer of energy. Examples are rooftop collectors, are usually used for water of geothermal direct use has more than solar PV systems with battery storage and and space heating and in some cases for doubled since 2010, reaching 107,727 smart energy management. New actors industrial process heat. Increasingly, cit- megawatts-thermal deployed across 88 are also appearing, such as aggregators, ies and countries have adopted building countries in 2019. Geothermal technol- which bundle several distributed energy codes mandating the use of solar water ogy is used mainly for space heating and resources into a single entity (a virtual heaters for all new buildings. The solar cooling as well as for hot water in cities, power plant) to interact and trade in system can be installed on the ground through both stand-alone and district power or markets. or on a building roof to supply heat for heating systems. For new cities or for The dynamics between system opera- the building, community, district or city. the expansion of existing cities, installing tors and consumers are changing and the However, in countries where natural gas geothermal energy systems would be much boundary between energy production is cheap and is the dominant heating more cost efficient than integrating the and consumption is becoming blurred. source, solar thermal systems are less systems into established infrastructure. It is important for cities to see and use competitive in the absence of incentives the potential of this development and or promotional schemes to support their For most cities, integrating the renewable form appropriate institutional support. social and environmental benefits. energy technologies described above would Over the past decade, several cities have require upgrading the urban infrastructure to Solar thermal cooling: sought to gain greater control over their With the growth accommodate them, without compromising energy systems. By 2019, some 671 cities in global cooling demand tripling from on operational reliability and stability. This had set at least one target favouring the 600 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 1990 to highlights the importance of developing use of renewables in their jurisdictions. 2,000 TWh in 2016, and projected to at “smart” grids through innovation and the More than 60% of these cities had set a least triple again by 2050, solar thermal adoption of enabling technologies such as target to achieve 100% renewable energy, energy has gradually extended into the electric vehicles, energy storage systems and and 45% of them are in Europe. City cooling sector. For cooling purposes, intelligent energy management systems. governments can be trendsetters, leading solar thermal is typically coupled with Smart grids present opportunities for using © WR.LILI SHUTTERSTOCK.COM by example to push change. They act as absorption chillers to lower peak de- higher shares of variable renewables and laboratories of innovation for new policies mand on the grid during hot summers, for improvements in system efficiency. and business models, testing concepts and reducing blackouts and the costs for In summary, renewable energy tech- Energy solutions for low-carbon cities approaches. As such, the actions taken grid enhancement. nologies that are integrated with local by cities can provide important lessons energy systems will be a vital foundation Bioenergy and waste-to-energy: Accounting for 55% of the world’s population, about 75% of global CO2 emissions and 66% and influence change at the state and These for creating the transformation needed in of global energy demand, cities have a crucial role to play in accelerating the sustainable national levels, while at the same time biomass- based energy sources can provide the cities of the future. When it comes to energy transition. providing valuable case studies for other a relatively reliable and consistent sup- climate change “Cities are on the front- cities around the world. ply of energy in comparison with solar line of impact, but also of the solutions,” The technologies that are of special PV. For cities, waste-to-energy offers a IRENA has published said Inger Andersen, Executive Director a report which this growing urbanisation will coincide with able technology are already developing, interest in urban environments are as promising way to create a circular economy. of UNEP3. How we decide to build our analyses the ways that cities can scale up the pressing need to decarbonise the global such as energy storage, smart charging follows: However, the uncertainties of obtaining urban energy systems today will shape their use of locally available renewables energy system. for electric vehicles, renewable power-to- a sustainable supply of feedstock need to our collective future. as they move to decarbonise their energy As a result of their numerous roles, in- heat and renewable power-to-hydrogen, Solar photovoltaics (PV): When it be addressed. systems. Today, more than half the world’s cluding urban planning and the provision digital technologies and intelligent energy comes to solar irradiance the analysis Emilia Samuelsson Urban wind power: population lives in cities and accounts for 80% of services, cities have great potential to management. The trend has accelerated shows that 95% of the cities that have Wind power has of the global GDP. The Intergovernmental increase the use of renewable energy while due to the rapid cost reductions in solar the highest solar potential (i.e., cities been used only marginally in cities and 1. WHO Global Ambient Air Quality Database Panel on Climate Change has found that achieving local goals such as reducing PV panels and battery storage systems. in the top 10% for global horizontal faces huge challenges to scale up. While (database), World Health Organization, Geneva, cities contribute 71–76% of global energy- air pollution to improve public health, This development is expected to continue, irradiance, or GHI) do not have a set examples exist of urban wind turbines www.who.int/airpollution/data/cities/en. related carbon dioxide emissions. Fossil mitigating climate change, supporting along with the arrival of innovative business target for supporting renewable energy generating electricity, their performance 2. UN DESA (2018), The world’s cities in 2018 – data fuel and other emissions are associated the local economy and building resilient models such as energy-as-a-service, ag- development. Even among the cities in needs to be improved substantially, and booklet, United Nations Department of Economic with serious air pollution problems in infrastructure. In addition, it is important gregators, peer-to-peer electricity trading, the top 30% for solar potential, only 6% large-scale implementation is scarce. The and Social Affairs, Population Division, New York, over 80% of the world’s cities, generating to include renewable energy technologies community-ownership models, pay-as- (39 cities) have a renewable energy target use of wind turbines in urban environments www.un.org/en/events/citiesday/assets/ pdf/ the_worlds_cities_in_2018_data_booklet.pdf approximately 7 million premature deaths in the infrastructure development of urban you-go and urban energy planning. and only 2% (14 cities) have a target for is mainly in the research and development each year1. Urban settlements are expected areas as soon as possible to decrease the One of the most distinct characteristics 100% renewables. Urban-based solar PV phase. The lack of experimental data is 4. https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and- to grow by another 2.5 billion people over need for costly retro fitting in the future. of an urban energy system is that it serves systems are generally smaller in scale than a big drawback in the development of stories/story/cities-where-fight-green-recovery- the next thirty years2. In the coming decade In many urban areas, trends in renew- as the sociotechnical interface that links ground-mounted systems located on the urban wind turbines. will-be-won-or-lost

20 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 21 Court cases bring im- EU court rules against Italy New EU infringement Improved air quality in 15% of global Covid actions on air pollution proved air quality On 10 November, the EU Court of Justice Covid-19 lockdown deaths linked to air pol- (ECJ) ruled that Italy has failed to tackle German cities taken to court for breaching In its October infringements package, the Improved air quality during lockdown lution illegally high levels of air pollution, by air quality standards saw pollution levels European Commission announced that it averted tens of thousands of premature systematically and repeatedly breaching The Federal Environment Agency UBA( ) drop twice as much as other cities between will file a case at the European Court of deaths, according to a study published daily and annual limit values for particu- © JONSHORE/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Long-term exposure to air pollution has 2018 and 2019, according to green group Justice (ECJ) against the French govern- in The Lancet Planetary Health. late matter (PM10) across several regions, been linked to an increased risk of dy- Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which ment over its systematic failure to meet Europe’s worst polluters Between February and March, the including Rome, Palermo, Milan, Turin, ing from Covid-19 and a new study has has taken legal action over consistently EU air quality standards for particulate researchers found that an estimated Vicenza and the Lombardy region. revealed estimated the proportion of deaths from dangerous levels of air pollution in 40 matter (PM10). 24,200 premature deaths associated The persistent breach of limit values is the coronavirus that could be attributed German cities. Nearly half of these cases Letters of formal notice were sent As national governments and the EU fail with PM2.5 pollution were averted enough in itself to demonstrate that Italy to the exacerbating effects of air pollution were brought in liaison with environmental to Croatia and Italy for breaching the to report crucial information on industrial throughout China. This compares to the “has not implemented appropriate and PM for every country in the world. law charity ClientEarth. limit values for particulate matter ( 10 pollution, a new NGO database shows reported 3309 fatalities from Covid-19. effective measures” that would keep the The study, published in Cardiovascular Between 2018 and 2019, levels of nitrogen and/or PM2.5) in several areas, and the which facilities are playing by the rules. In Europe, although Covid-19 fatalities period of excessive pollution as “short as Research, estimated that about 15 per cent dioxide (NO₂) came down by an average of measures taken to lower air pollution are The “Industrial Plant Data Viewer” allows were far higher, a reduction in pollu- possible”, the court stated. Should Italy fail of deaths worldwide from Covid-19 could 4.2 µg/m³ in cities where air quality litiga- insufficient to keep exceedance periods as users to access and compare data from over tion meant that 2109 premature deaths to comply with the ruling, the Commis- be attributed to long-term exposure to air tion has been pursued. In cities where no short as possible. 3000 large combustion plants across the were avoided. sion has the power to bring the case back pollution. In Europe the proportion was legal action was taken, the average drop was Reasoned opinions were sent to Greece EU, and check whether they are doing their The researchers highlight that the to the court and seek financial penalties. about 19 per cent, in North America it just 2.1 µg/m³. and Romania, as they have still failed to averted fatality figures become much job to prevent pollution. It was launched was 17 per cent, and in East Asia about In February 2018, the country’s highest adopt National Air Pollution Control by the European Environmental Bureau larger when the long-term effects are Source: Ends Europe Daily, 10 November 2020. 27 per cent. court confirmed that diesel restrictions were Plans, which according to the deadline EEB considered (up to 287,000 in China Link to the ECJ ruling: https://curia.europa.eu/ ( ) to help fill the transparency gap in The researchers write that these propor- not only possible but legally necessary when set in the NEC Directive should have and 29,500 in Europe). jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2020-11/ EU industrial emissions reporting. tions are an estimate of “the fraction of they were the most efficient way to bring been submitted by 1 April 2019. Paola Crippa, lead author of the study cp200136en.pdf “It is the European Commission’s job to Covid-19 deaths that could be avoided down illegal levels of pollution. Later court said: “It was somewhat unexpected to Link: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/press- ensure that EU laws are properly enforced, if the population were exposed to lower results have included wins and settlements see that the number of averted fatali- corner/detail/en/inf_20_1687 and that industrial pollution data are counterfactual air pollution levels without where less polluted cities propose other traffic ties in the long term due to air quality Clean air for all is disclosed. If they are serious about their fossil-fuel-related and other anthropogenic control measures, such as improvements to improvements is similar to the Covid-19 ambition for zero pollution and a toxic- emissions”, and add that this “attributable bus, train and cycle infrastructure, discounts achievable related fatalities, at least in China where free environment, they cannot turn a blind fraction does not imply a direct cause-effect on season tickets and fleet-wide bus retrofits. a small number of Covid-19 casualties Achieving clean air across the world is eye,” said Christian Schaible, the EEB’s relationship between air pollution and policy manager in charge of the project. were reported. These results underline Source: DUH press release, 8 October 2020. Link: possible, according to a new study by Covid-19 mortality (although it is possible). EEB the severity of air quality issues in https://www.duh.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/ IIASA. The researchers conclude that a The has repeatedly highlighted the Instead it refers to relationships between some areas of the world and the need pressemitteilung/court-cases-double-german-air- combination of ambitious policies fo- limitations of the EU reporting system, two, direct and indirect, i.e. by aggravating for immediate action.” pollution-cuts-new-analysis/ cusing on pollution controls, energy and and provided recommendations for the co-morbidities that could lead to fatal health climate, agricultural production systems Commission and the European Environ- outcomes of the virus infection”. Source: Air Quality News, 19 October 2020. and addressing human consumption ment Agency (EEA) to fill the gap. Due habits could drastically improve air quality to inertia by the two institutions, the Link to the study “Short-term and long-term Source: European Society of Cardiology (ESC), 27 EU consultation on Zero- throughout the world. EEB decided to develop its own database health impacts of air pollution reductions from October 2020. Covid-19 lockdowns in China and Europe: a By 2040, mean population exposure to through in-house research. Link to the study “Regional and global contributions Pollution Ambition modelling study”: https://doi.org/10.1016/ Work will continue on development of air pollution to risk of death from Covid-19”: PM2.5 from anthropogenic sources could S2542-5196(20)30224-2 https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/advance- A new consultation is open from 11 be reduced by about 75 per cent relative to of the Industrial Plant Data Viewer to © CGN089/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM article/doi/10.1093/cvr/cvaa288/5940460 November 2020 to 10 February 2021 2015 and brought well below the WHO cover more countries, as well as including to gather views from citizens and stake- guideline in large areas of the world, thus new modules to check and compare the holders on an EU action plan “Towards saving millions of premature deaths annu- impact of industrial pollution on water, not a Zero-Pollution Ambition for air, water ally. At the same time, the measures that to mention the level of implementation of Best Available Techniques. Users are and soil”. In its European Green Deal, the deliver clean air would also significantly encouraged to contribute data, documents, European Commission said that the EU reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and comments, and corrections where data is needs to move towards a zero-pollution contribute to multiple UN sustainable missing or appears incorrect in the viewer. ambition, and better prevent and remedy development goals. For the development team, such contri- pollution of air, water and soil, and from “Even if WHO air quality standards are butions will allow the database to offer consumer products. The Commission currently exceeded by more than a factor of more updated and reliable information, has announced that it will adopt a Zero- ten in many parts of the world, clean air is taking Europe a step closer to fact-based Pollution Action Plan in 2021. achievable globally with enhanced political and transparent reporting. will,” concludes lead author Markus Amann. Link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regu- lation/have-your-say/initiatives/12588-EU-Action- Source: IIASA News, 29 September 2020. Link: Source: EEB Meta, 10 September 2020. Link to Plan-Towards-a-Zero-Pollution-Ambition-for-air- https://iiasa.ac.at/web/home/about/news/200929- the Industrial Plant Data Viewer: http://eipie.eu/ water-and-soil Reducing-global-air-pollution.html projects/ipdv © MR.EXEN/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

22 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 23 Immediate policy recommendations from network of affordable and accessible • National governments should take all new Greenpeace new day and night trains across conventional vehicles, including hybrids, Combustion-engine cars need to The upcoming recovery plans and the Europe. off the market by 2028 at the latest. European Commission’s strategy for smart • The EU must improve cross-border and sustainable mobility should include trains by removing network bottle- Fewer cars, more walking, cycling and be phased out in Europe by 2025 a number of regulations and funding necks and harmonising the railway public transport decisions, to kick-start the transforma- systems, tickets and timetables while • Local authorities and national govern- With a view to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, internal-combustion-engine (diesel and tion of the transport sector in Europe. protecting passengers’ rights across ments must redesign urban mobility to petrol) cars need to be phased out in Europe by 2025; hybrid vehicles by 2028. borders. prioritise walking, cycling and public Green and just transition for workers, no transport and invest in their development. • Greenpeace has published studies on way people and goods move, and deliver roads from 6 to 3.6 million, while dou- money for polluters Fewer planes in European skies To help speed up the transition, the • • how to reduce carbon dioxide from the a fair EU contribution to limiting global bling the use of inland waterways and EU recovery money is public money The European Commission has already European Commission should adopt transport sector. Here are some conclusions warming to 1.5°C. Greenpeace EU cli- rail transport from 29% to 58%. and EU decision-makers should ensure planned a review of the kerosene tax appropriate measures such as linking from the assessments made by Greenpeace: mate campaigner Lorelei Limousin said: • Limit the use of so-called E-fuels, pro- it does not fund polluters like the exemption as part of the Energy Tax access to EU funds to the implementa- Despite its climate commitments and the “Investing public money in the middle duced with renewable power, to transport aviation industry and carmakers, or Directive planned in 2021. It must also tion of mobility plans that are compliant adoption of specific regulations such asCO ₂ of Covid recovery efforts to keep yester- modes that do not have an alternative, conventional car purchases. They should facilitate a fair implementation of the with the Paris climate agreement. • standards for cars and vans, the EU has failed day’s transport system alive is a travesty. such as aviation. adopt an environmental exclusionary “polluter pays principle” through flight The EU should increase funding and to cut the transport sector’s emissions so far. Aviation, shipping and road transport are • Assuming sufficient production of list that defines what activities recovery and fuel taxes to induce a cut in aviation investment for interconnected, cleaner While greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) among Europe’s most polluting industries. renewable-based synthetic aircraft fuel plans must not subsidise. demand. mobility solutions that are accessible • • from other sources have been slowing or Many of the major players have no shame at commercial scale, decrease total pas- The bailout of airlines and polluters The European Commission andEU to everyone. dropping, emissions from transport have laying off thousands of workers during senger kilometres flown by at least 33%. continued to climb in the EU, with a 28% the Covid crisis while lining their pock- However, such “E-fuels” are far from increase in 2017 compared to 1990 levels. ets with government bailouts. It is time being available at scale, meaning pas- Transport alone is responsible for 27% of to transform the way we move, shift to senger air travel would very likely need the overall EU GHG emissions in 2017. cleaner transport alternatives like trains, to decrease much further. International aviation, shipping and road significantly reduce emissions, create good • Cut energy consumption in surface transport have been the fastest growing jobs, and make mobility equitable, resilient transport, freight and aviation by 63% emissions sources in the sector. and sustainable for all.” compared to 2015. A study by Ecologic Institute in Germany The report’s modelling shows that 53% for Greenpeace makes the assessment that of the emissions reductions can be achieved What is next on the European agenda? the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) through technology efficiency and cleaner • The European Council and the European is one way to significantly reduce emissions fuels, while the other 47% can be obtained Parliament are expected to agree on the from cars, if combined with a transition by reducing transport demand and switch- next EU budget and the EU Recovery to a renewable electricity system – thus ing to cleaner transport options. and Resilience Facility by the end of helping countries to meet their climate It identifies the measures necessary to 2020, so implementation can start on and air quality goals. With a view to decarbonise transport by 2040: 1 January 2021. limiting global warming to 1.5°C, internal- • From 15 October 2020 to 30 April 2021: combustion-engine (diesel and petrol) • End sales of new diesel and petrol vehicles, The European Commission has proposed cars need to be phased out in Europe by including hybrids, by 2028 at the latest, this period for European governments 2025; hybrid vehicles by 2028. EVs play and phase out all internal combustion to submit their national resilience and © BACHTUB DMITRII/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM an important role as an alternative option. engines (ICE) vehicles across Europe. recovery plans. According to the proposal, The study analyses a range of existing • Reduce the light vehicle fleet size by 27% countries should include both reforms should be conditional on the respect countries must ban short-haul flights No new airports or highways • measures that have a direct impact on the by 2030 and by 47% by 2040, compared and investments planned at national of regulatory measures to align the EU where there is a cleaner alternative that National and local governments must increased uptake of electric passenger cars, to 2015 levels. level to access the EU funds. with the Paris Agreement goal to limit takes under 6–8 hours, and stop exempting cancel highway and airport expansion particularly battery electric and fuel cell • Increase the occupancy and utilisation • By 31 December 2020: Adoption by global warming to 1.5°C. flights from taxes borne by other modes projects and the EU budget should not • electric vehicles. The study does consider rate for all remaining passenger transport the European Commission of a com- Additional EU and national investment of transport. encourage their expansion in Europe, in bans on internal-combustion-engine cars, by 25% and 20% for light-duty vehicles prehensive European strategy for smart in the reskilling/training of workers order to avoid further lock-in of carbon- since this is compatible with the final step (LDVs) between 2020 and 2050. and sustainable mobility, currently being employed in fossil fuel heavy transport The end of vehicles running on fossil fuels intensive transport modes. • • in EV support, i.e. a 100% EV quota. • Reduce the use of private vehicles from drafted by the European Commission, sectors is necessary. The European Commission plans to Between 2016 and 2019, the European Another study published by Climact 62% of transport in large urban areas to ahead of the “European Year of Rail” review the CO2 emission performance Investment Bank (EIB) invested €14.65 and the NewClimate Institute and com- 42% (with urban centres cutting it down in 2021. More and better trains for all standards for cars and vans by June 2021. billion in roads and airports expansion. • missioned by Greenpeace Belgium, offers a even more significantly) and from 79% • Also by 31 December 2020: The Euro- To match their wish to see railways However, it should go further and propose As part of its climate roadmap due by roadmap for decision-makers to decarbonise to 68% in non-urban areas. pean Investment Bank, which invested play a much greater role in the future a European ban on diesel and petrol car the end of 2020, the EIB should ban the European transport sector by 2040, • Decrease mobility demand by 12% by almost €15 billion in roads and airports of European mobility and achieve this and van sales, including hybrids, as soon any investment in capacity increase for powering it with renewable energy, without 2040 compared to pre-Covid levels expansion between 2016 and 2019, will ambitious shift, the European Com- as possible and by 2028 at the latest, highways or airports. relying on biofuels. The analysis describes (excluding aviation). adopt a new climate roadmap. mission and EU governments must with all remaining sales shifting to new how Europe can swiftly revolutionise the • Cut the number of lorries on European invest significantly in a strengthened lightweight battery-electric vehicles. Compiled by Reinhold Pape

24 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 25 Enormous costs for CCS Emissions from ships and “Full Chain CCS” in Norway has received finance from the government. It will cost 1.74 billion euros to capture and store CO2 from one cement factory, equivalent to €434/tonne planes continue to rise of CO2, or about 17 times the price in European emission trading. Air and sea transport must reduce GHG emissions at the same rate as land transport by 2040 at the latest in industrialised countries, and by 2050 globall. Equinor is offering to transport CO₂ from Baltic harbours and store it in Norway, at a price tag well above €50, Shipping and aviation represented and maritime transport (also known Tracker states: “There is tremendous twice the European emission trading around 3% and 2% respectively of global as international bunker fuel emissions) potential for the international shipping price of about €25. That is on top of CO₂ emissions in the mid-2000s. While should be calculated as part of the na- industry to decarbonise completely and the cost of capture and transport to land-based transport is starting to switch tional GHG inventories of Parties, but reach zero emissions by 2050, yet there the harbour. to low-carbon alternative fuels, sea and should be excluded from national totals is very little sign of this sector moving This is very far from a commercial land transport are not yet following and reported separately”. anywhere near fast enough, and certainly proposition. Most other major CCS suit, and emissions are rising. According Climate Action Tracker has recently nowhere near a Paris Agreement pathway”. candidates, other than niche applications to NGOs, in November 2020 an IMO assessed the climate policy of ICAO and Despite strong criticism by NGOs such as processing of natural gas and/ committee approved a proposal “that IMO and says “while ICAO has a goal of and other stakeholders year after year, or enhanced oil recovery, are even more will allow the shipping sector’s 1 billion ‘carbon neutral growth from 2020’, COR- ICAO and IMO have not acted to reduce expensive. tonnes of annual greenhouse gas emis- SIA, the scheme it has set up to achieve it, emissions. The director of Transport and According to an economic analysis for sions to keep rising for the rest of this is unlikely to do so: it will probably cover Environment said in 2020 that T&E does the Norwegian government in June 2020, decade – the very decade in which the less than half of international aviation not believe any more that the IMO is able capture from the waste-to-heat plant in world’s climate scientists say we must emissions between now and 2035 and is to develop policies for effective reduction Oslo would cost almost 50% more than halve global greenhouse gas (GHG) likely to allow compensation without real of GHGs. Wendel Trio, director of CAN the Norcem project. The capture costs emissions to stay within a relatively safe emission reductions elsewhere. As global Europe, explained recently that it was the alone are given as €104 for cement and 1.5°C of global warming, as committed CO₂ emissions would need to reduce to view of CAN that all economic sectors €153 for the waste-to-heat plant. Fortum, to under the Paris Climate Agreement”. net zero by 2050 to be in line with the must reduce GHGs at the same rate, According to the UN, “emissions from 1.5°C temperature limit, aviation would which means that air and sea transport © V. BELOV/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM which owns the waste plant together with Oslo city, was promised part of the cost fuel used for international aviation and have to make an equivalent contribution. must reduce GHG emissions by at least Norwegian prime minister Jens made little headway since CCS was launched by the government if it could finance the maritime transport (international bunker However, CORSIA’s expected emis- 65% by 2030 and to net-zero by 2040 Stoltenberg famously said in 2007 that by the George W. Bush administration in remainder. The company is now trying to fuels) have been addressed under the sions unit prices are unlikely to trigger in the EU. The EU is now finally acting CCS would become “our moonlanding”. 2001. The total cost of the project is 18.7 bn get money from the EU, but competition UN Climate Convention (UNFCCC) investments in measures to reduce CO₂ and proposes to develop EU policies to Nothing much happened. But in September Norwegian kroner (€1.74 bn) over a 10-year is fierce. since 1995. The UNFCCC invited the emissions from international aviation regulate GHG emissions from shipping 2020, after many false starts and delays, the period, out of which the government pays The cost per ton would be lower if International Civil Aviation Organiza- towards zero by 2050, and provide little with economic instruments. Investment Norwegian government finally revealed its 13.8 bn directly, plus a further two billion spread over a longer period than 10 tion (ICAO) and International Maritime or no incentive to roll out innovative decisions for ships with alternative fuels plan, now called Longship, with several or so indirectly through Equinor, in which years, but investors are reluctant to do Organization (IMO) to contribute to zero carbon technology”. must be made now because new ships references to Viking traditions. the government has a majority stake. so. The factory may not be competitive the work on the allocation and control Concerning the international ship- have a life expectancy of about 30 years. What was called Full Chain CCS initially Hedelberg Cement, the owner of Norcem, forever. Alternative cements or other of emissions from international bunker ping industry, the Climate Action included carbon capture at a combined has not yet made an investment decision, and construction materials may be devel- fuels. In response to this request, emis- Reinhold Pape heat and power plant fuelled with waste only says it “may soon initiate the building oped to render traditional limestone sions from fuel used for international in Oslo, an ammonia plant and a cement of the world’s first full-scale carbon capture cement obsolete, even with CCS. This aviation and maritime transport have factory, as well as transport by ships and plant in the cement industry”. Another is to some extent happening right now. been continuously addressed under the storage in the North Sea (see other ar- daughter company, Cementa, in Sweden, Construction company Skanska offers UNFCCC. In addition the Kyoto Protocol ticle in this issue of Acid News). After expresses hope that Cementa will produce Green Concrete with 15–52% less CO₂, also called for limiting and reducing emis- several costing and cost-cutting exercises “climate neutral” cement by 2030, with CCS depending on the application. This is a sions of greenhouse gas emissions not the Norcem cement factory was the only as its main method. Cementa also says that result of mixing the cement with slag, one controlled by the Montreal Protocol from surviving capture project. It will capture Norcem, according to plans will “halve” its of several alternative binders. Another aviation and marine bunker fuels, ICAO 0.4 million tonnes of CO₂ per year. emissions by 2024, which implies that the Swedish construction company, Peab, working through the and the IMO, respectively. The IPCC Norcem was chosen because the other other half will still be emitted. started production of its slag cement, Guidelines for the preparation of projects were estimated to be even more It is clear that the Norwegian govern- which uses a by-product from a steel greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories expensive. Cement production produces a ment will pay most of the cost for the plant in Oxelösund south of Stockholm, and the UNFCCC reporting guide- relatively clean and steady stream of CO₂ Norcem project. The big question is who in the autumn of 2020. lines on annual inventories outline that compared to most other sources such as is going to pay for other CCS projects. emissions from international aviation coal power and gas power, where it has Credible sources tell Acid News that Fredrik Lundberg © PHIVE/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

26 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020 27 B ECONOMIQUE

Air Pollution & Climate Secretariat Första Långgatan 18 413 28 Göteborg Sweden Recent publications from the Secretariat Reports can be downloaded in PDF format from www.airclim.org Coming events Climate and AIR POLLUTION AND CLIMATE SERIES 36 Cost-benefit Health (September Cost-benefit analysis of NOx control for ships in analysis of NOx CLRTAP Working Group on Strategies 2020). By Björn the Baltic Sea and the and Review. Remote meeting, 14 - 16 North Sea control for ships Fagerberg, Bertil By Katarina Yaramenka, Hulda Winnes, Stefan Åström, Erik Fridell in the Baltic Sea December 2020. Information: www.unece. Forsberg, Sofia and the North org/env/lrtap/welcome.html Hammarstrand, Sea (April 2017). By Laura Maclachlan, Katarina Yaramenka, EU Environment Council. Luxembourg, Maria Nilsson and Hulda Winnes, 17 December 2020. Information: www. Anna-Carin Olin. Stefan Åström, Erik consilium.europa.eu/en/press/calendar/ Air Pollution & Climate Secretariat Fridell. CLRTAP Executive Body. Remote meeting, 18 December 2020. Information: www. Geoengineering Climate change unece.org/env/lrtap/welcome.html technologies and Biodiversity 2018/2019 in the Tropical IMO PPR 8 (Sub-Committee on Pollution (September 2020). Andes (2020). Prevention and Response). London, UK, 22 - By Fredrik Lundberg. By Catalina María 26 March 2021. Information: www.imo.org Solar radiation Gonda management is not Two major crises International Transport and Air Pol- needed. pose severe threats lution (TAP) Conference. Graz, Austria, for life on Earth. 30 - 31 March 2021. Information: www. tapconference.org

AIR POLLUTION AND CLIMATE SERIES What will it CLRTAP Working Group on Strategies 39 Clearing the air What will it take to phase take to phase CLEARING and Review. Geneva, Switzerland, 17 - 20 out greenhouse gas emis- THE AIR (Feb 2017).A critical sions from road traffic in out greenhouse A CRITICAL GUIDE TO THE May 2021. Information: www.unece.org/ NEW NATIONAL EMISSION guide to the new the Nordic-Baltic region gas emissions CEILINGS DIRECTIVE by 2030–2035? National Emissions env/lrtap/welcome.html by Mats-Ola Larsson from road traffic Ceilings directive. in the Nordic- Air Pollution threats to Plant Ecosys- Baltic region by tems Conference. Paphos, Cyprus, 17 2030-2035? (March - 21 May 2021. Information: http://www. 2018). By Mats-Ola ozoneandplants2020.com Larsson. A conceiv- Air Pollution & Climate Secretariat able scenario. IMO 8th Intersessional Working Group on reduction of GHG emissions from Phasing out coal ships. London, UK, 24 - 28 May 2021. Climate change Briefing No.16, February 2019 Climate policy in Europe by 2025 Information: www.imo.org and the Andean Phasing out coal in Cryosphere (2019). Europe by 2025 (Feb 2019). By UN FCCC Bonn Climate Change Confer-

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C Ic eland n coal power stations a d t inlan s sphere has unique F h T k he Fa a eroes z N (Den.) a orway ia K o N den Eston r Swe a t e S h c via i Lat A t n t N or th l nia a l a Lithua st O a n Denmark B ki c t Russia us e e i c Sea Belar zb a U n n Irelan a d C st The oland e a ni United Netherlands P a i n sp e Kingdom U k r i a m Germany n rk ch of u Belgium Cze a ep. a S T Rep. Slovaki R ldov e throughout Europe Mo a a Luxe rgi mbourg nstein ria eo Liechte Aust gary a G IMO Marine Environment Protection functions and influ- un i ia H m a n S ea en Switzerland R o k rm Slovenia tia l a c A B ay of F r a n c e Croa B Bosnia B i sc San Marino and ia ria ay Serb Bulga n v a Yugosla y r e former e I A “th ublic of k z Monaco Rep ia” r or a Macedon Tu Po es Andorra Italy Albani rt.) Po ce rtuga Gree i a l S y r a q S p a i n I r s n pru ano Cy Leb l n M alta e a Israe rda adeir M S Jo (Po a e a n rt.) A l g e r i a r r a n and a proposal of i t e M Tunisia M e d Ca orocc ences the physical, nary o p t Is y ( lands non-member state of the Council of Europe (Belarus) E g Spa.) Committee (MEPC 76). London, UK, 14 - L i b y a biological and social phasing out coal by 18 June 2021. Information: www.imo.org 2025. systems. Air Pollution & Climate Secretariat 1 IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 77). London, UK, 1 - 5 November 2021. Information: www.imo.org Subcribe to Acid News via email UN FCCC COP26. Glasgow, UK, 1 - 12 No- vember 2021. Information: http://unfccc.int/ Are you receiving the printed copy This way, you’ll get access to Acid of Acid News but missing out on the News at least two weeks before the online version? Sign up on our website printed copy arrives in the mail. to receive an email announcement airclim.org/acidnews/an_subscribe.php when each issue of Acid News becomes available online.

28 ACID NEWS NO. 4, DECEMBER 2020