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09:34
Implementation of Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) for the Real-driving Emissions (RDE) Regulation in Europe
Published on: December 4, 2016
Dealing with fixed emissions ceilings in an uncertain future: Offsetting under environmental integrity.
Fabian Wagner1, Wolfgang Schöpp, Markus Amann
1International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria.
Journal of Environmental Management
|June 25, 2013
Summary
National emission ceilings allow flexibility by enabling countries to offset reductions in one pollutant, like sulfur dioxide, with increased cuts in another, such as nitrogen oxides. This approach can lower costs while maintaining environmental goals, though exchange rates vary by country.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Policy
- Atmospheric Chemistry
Background:
- National emission ceilings are key policy tools to mitigate transboundary air pollution impacts.
- Established frameworks like the Gothenburg Protocol and EU NEC Directive set fixed upper limits for pollutants (SO2, NOx, NH3, VOC).
- Flexibility in achieving these ceilings could reduce implementation costs and adapt to evolving environmental realities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the conditions for pollutant offsetting within national emission ceilings.
- To determine if emission reductions in one pollutant can compensate for less stringent reductions in another.
- To assess the environmental integrity of such offsetting mechanisms without compromising overall environmental goals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the impact module of the GAINS (Greenhouse gas - Air pollution Interactions and Synergies) model.
- Examined potential pollutant exchange rates for the 2012 revision of the Gothenburg Protocol.
- Analyzed the environmental integrity condition for both domestic and downwind countries.
Main Results:
- Established that pollutant exchange rates satisfying environmental integrity can be determined.
- Found significant variation in these exchange rates across different countries.
- Demonstrated that extending environmental integrity to downwind countries necessitates substantially higher exchange rates.
Conclusions:
- Pollutant offsetting within national emission ceilings is feasible under specific conditions.
- Country-specific exchange rates are crucial due to varying impacts and sensitivities.
- Careful consideration of domestic and international implications is needed before adopting pollutant offsetting in environmental agreements.
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