Warming can be limited to 1.5°C There are reduction pathways that would make a global target of below 1.5°C possible, but they require negative CO2 emissions in the second half of this century. Read more
Editorial: Last warnings? For the last 25 years environmental organisations around the world have been trying to warn the world about the threat of climate change and demand urgent and steep reductions in greenhouse gases. Read more
Shale gas has lost its lustre The “Golden Age” of shale gas, heralded by the International Energy Agency (IEA) a year ago, may not arrive after all, at least not in Europe. The promises of plenty, soon and cheap are not materialising. Read more
EU energy tax reform stalled Poland and Romania block even small steps toward technology-neutral fuel taxes in the EU. Read more
Need for stronger EU action on air pollution World Health Organization calls for tightening of Eurpean Union air quality standards. Read more
Sea levels might rise 2 metres for each degree of warming Prehistoric data has been used to simulate possible sea levels over the next two millenia. Read more
Agreement on equity issues essential The equity knot remains to be cut before we can see a new global climate agreement. Climate Action Network (CAN) has just launched a proposal. Read more
Shipping air pollution costs €60 billion per year Total health-related costs in Europe caused by air pollutant emissions from international shipping are expected to increase from €58 billion to €64 billion between 2000 and 2020. Read more
Ship emissions down in the Baltic and North Sea Switching to low-sulphur marine gas oil and lowering cruising speeds can reduce shipping emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Read more
Air pollution causes 210,000 deaths each year Road transportation and power plants are the leading causes of air-pollution-related deaths in the US, contributing to 53,000 and 52,000 early deaths respectively each year. Read more
Fewer congestion charge exemptions From 1 July, new cars in London will no longer be able to be registered for the Greener Vehicle Discount which gave cars with emissions under 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre .. Read more
Germany blocks CO2 deal for cars The agreed CO2 rules for cars are threatened by demands from Germany to re-open the negotiations. Read more
High potential to further cut pollution from power plants Emissions of the main air pollutants – sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust – could be significantly further reduced if the emission levels associated with the best available techniques were to be achieved. Read more
New tool raises awareness of air pollution impact Clean Air in London has launched a new app that warns people about the dangers of air pollution and gives advice about how they can protect themselves. Read more
7th Environment Action Programme agreed In late June, representatives from the outgoing Irish presidency and the European Parliament agreed the final text of the EU’s seventh environment action programme (7EAP) for the period to 2020. Read more
Coal power must be replaced with green energy An additional 32,000 life years would be lost every year if the coal-fired power plants currently under construction or being planned in the EU go into operation. Read more
More food, less climate change Improved meat production in Latin America and higher crop yields in Africa are key measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change, while improving food security. Read more
New CAP deal: “little more than greenwash” The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2014–2020 was sold as a green reform, when the Commission launched its proposal a bit more than a year ago. For the first time, direct payments, the EU budget’s biggest single expenditure, would require .. Read more
400 ppm exceeded at Mauna Loa The symbolic level of 400 ppm of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been exceeded at Mauna Loa in Hawaii for the first time since records began in 1958. Read more
Where are air pollution science and policy heading? Future directions in air pollution science and policy were the focus of an international workshop held in Gothenburg, Sweden in June 2013. Attention focused on international air pollution .. Read more
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