2016, Climate Change and Pollution

New analysis suggests Uber adding significantly to pollution and traffic in European cities

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 23, 2019

Uber is adding more polluting car trips to already-clogged European cities such as London and Paris, new analysis by European NGOs suggests —contributing to air pollution and climate change and exploding the company’s sustainability claims. This has made Uber one of the biggest taxi services in Europe, with 3.6

Pollution

Pollution Taxi London San Francisco

California ARB: GHG emissions fell below 1990 levels for first time in 2016; down 13% from 2004 peak; transportation emissions up 2%

Green Car Congress

JULY 12, 2018

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that greenhouse gas emissions in California in 2016 fell below 1990 levels for the first time since emissions peaked in 2004—a reduction roughly equivalent to taking 12 million cars off the road or saving 6 billion gallons of gasoline a year.

2004

2004 2016 Emissions California

IEA finds CO2 emissions flat for third straight year even as global economy grew in 2016

Green Car Congress

MARCH 18, 2017

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions were flat for a third straight year in 2016 even as the global economy grew, according to the International Energy Agency. In 2016, renewables supplied more than half the global electricity demand growth, with hydro accounting for half of that share.

Economy

Economy 2016 Emissions Global

US and China jointly announce GHG reduction targets; US to cut net GHG 26-28% by 2025, China to peak CO2 by ~2030

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 12, 2014

The Administration said that the ambitious target is grounded in analysis of cost-effective carbon pollution reductions achievable under existing law and will keep the United States on a trajectory to achieve deep economy-wide reductions on the order of 80% by 2050.

China

China CO2 Climate Change United States

California ARB releases proposed strategy to reduce impact of short-lived climate pollutants

Green Car Congress

APRIL 12, 2016

The California Air Resources Board released a new draft of California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Strategy to significantly reduce the near-term climate impacts of these potent pollutants. Methane is the most abundant of the short-lived climate pollutants in California.

Pollution

Pollution Climate California Carbon

MIT study finds air quality co-benefits of US carbon policies can significantly offset costs, depending upon the policy

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 25, 2014

In fact, policies aimed at cutting carbon emissions improve air quality by a similar amount as policies specifically targeting air pollution. Selin and colleagues compared the health benefits to the economic costs of three climate policies: a clean-energy standard, a transportation policy, and a cap-and-trade program. Saari & Noelle E.

MIT

MIT Carbon Climate Climate Change

California Assembly weighing integrating air pollution performance into GHG cap-and-trade

Green Car Congress

APRIL 27, 2017

This bill creates a framework for grading industrial facilities’ air quality performance and creating a uniform air pollution standard that facilities must meet to receive allocation of free allowances from the California Air Resources Board (ARB) beginning in 2021. CNR passed the proposal on Monday.

Pollution

Pollution California Emissions 2014

California cap-and-trade spending doubles to $1.4 billion in 2018; xEV rebates, affordable housing, wildfire prevention, public transit

Green Car Congress

MARCH 27, 2019

An annual ' tracking the progress of California Climate Investments, released by the California Air Resources Board and the California Department of Finance, finds that nearly $1.4 In 2016, Assembly Bill 1550 replaced and expanded those minimums to include low-income communities and low-income households. To date, $9.3

2018

2018 Affordable California San Diego

EPA Issues Final Endangerment Finding for Greenhouse Gases

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 7, 2009

EPA’s final findings respond to the 2007 US Supreme Court decision that GHGs fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants. billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of model year 2012-2016 vehicles, according to EPA analysis. Tags: Climate Change Emissions Policy. Earlier post.) Earlier post.)

EPA

EPA Climate Change Emissions 2007

Latest GHG Inventory shows California remains below 2020 emissions target; much steeper rate of GHG reductions required

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 23, 2020

The data shows a slight increase in overall emissions from the previous year, and a slight decline in emissions from transportation, which is the state’s main source of both GHGs and air pollutants. California statewide GHG emissions dropped below the 2020 GHG Limit in 2016 and have remained below the 2020 GHG Limit since then.

2020

2020 Emissions California 2018

Cleaner fuels have replaced more than 3B gallons of diesel under California Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

CARB developed the program to help support a return to 1990 levels of climate-changing gases by 2020, as required by AB 32, the 2006 landmark climate bill. California reached that overall goal in 2016. million metric tons of climate-changing gases. That equals an over-compliance of 8.7

Cleaner

Cleaner California Carbon Standards

Government of Canada Releases Draft Regulations to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Light-Duty Vehicles; Outcome Aligned With US

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 9, 2009

Canada and the US are working towards a common North American approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by introducing aligned and progressively tighter regulatory requirements over the 2011-2016 model years. Bob Oliver, Executive Director of Canadian environmental NGO Pollution Probe. Minister Prentice.

Canada

Canada Emissions Light Gas

California Air Resources Board posts revised draft of strategy to reduce “Super Pollutants”

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 29, 2016

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has posted a revised draft of California’s proposed Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Strategy. SLCPs are a category of pollutants which remain in the atmosphere for a relatively brief period, but have global warming potentials that are much higher than those of CO 2.

Pollution

Pollution California Emissions Waste

Euro Parliament committee approves new 95 g/km CO2 target for cars; super credits and a switch to WLTP

Green Car Congress

APRIL 25, 2013

Car makers would therefore have to produce, in addition to older, heavier or polluting models, enough cleaner ones to achieve a balance of 95g en 2020, on pain of penalties. from 2016 and 1 from 2024. Climate Change Emissions Europe Fuel Efficiency Policy' cars in 2013, falling to 1.5 Draft report.

CO2

CO2 Climate Change Cars 2020

EPA SmartWay honors 44 freight carriers for exceptional supply chain efficiency

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 5, 2016

EPA announced the awardees at the 2016 American Trucking Association’s Annual Management Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since 2004, SmartWay Partners have avoided emitting more than 72 million metric tons of carbon pollution, while saving more than 170 million barrels of oil and $24.9 Arlo G Lott Trucking Inc.

EPA

EPA Las Vegas Supplies Mercury

EIB lends €65 million to Mossi and Ghisolfi Group for production of second-generation bioethanol

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 13, 2013

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a €65-million (US$89 million) loan to support the research and development projects of Biochemtex , an engineering subsidiary of the Mossi and Ghisolfi Group. Biochemtex’s total investment of €133 million (US$183 million) will create new jobs for highly qualified researchers and scientists.

Production

Production Climate Change Italy Convert

EPA proposes first US greenhouse gas emissions standards for aircraft

Green Car Congress

JULY 23, 2020

Under the Clean Air Act, in 2016 EPA found that emissions of GHGs from engines used in certain aircraft causes, or contributes to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. This process will take time, EPA said, and it is critical that EPA complete this part of the process so that the U.S.

EPA

EPA Standards Emissions Gas

EEA report: EVs are better for climate and air quality

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Battery electric cars emit less greenhouse gases and air pollutants over their entire life cycle than petrol and diesel cars, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report. Shifting to electric vehicles could also reduce noise pollution, especially in cities where speeds are generally low and traffic often stands still.

Climate

Climate Pollution Gasoline-Electric 2017

T&E study: EVs can be cheaper for Uber drivers to run than latest diesels in many European capitals

Green Car Congress

JUNE 18, 2020

If Uber wants to lead the change and be part of the solution for our cities, then the company should commit to 100% electric rides by 2025 in key European capitals. In Paris, the fleet of ride-hailing drivers tripled in the past four year, from around 10,000 in 2016 to about 30,000 today.

Diesel

Diesel Taxi Re-Charge Pollution

California’s Advanced Clean Cars program: transforming the light-duty fleet to zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles with an eye on 2050

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Beyond 2025, ARB notes, the driving force for lowering emissions in California will thus be climate change. Advanced Clean Car (ACC) package, the ZEV regulation along with new LEV III smog-forming pollutant and GHG standards can be the catalyst to that transformative process. As the technology. —ARB staff.

Light

Light Emissions Cleaning Clean

Obama Administration Announces $8.33B in Loan Guarantees for New Nuclear Power Reactors in Georgia; First New US Nuclear Power Plant Project in Nearly 3 Decades

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

To meet our growing energy needs and prevent the worst consequences of climate change, we need to increase our supply of nuclear power and today’s announcement helps to move us down that path. Units 3 and 4 are expected to begin commercial operation in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Georgia

Georgia Obama Power Powered

ICCT study examines current & projected use of heavy fuel oil in Arctic shipping; growth in BC emissions points to need for policies

Green Car Congress

MAY 8, 2017

A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) estimates heavy fuel oil (HFO) use, HFO carriage, the use and carriage of other fuels, black carbon (BC) emissions, and emissions of other air and climate pollutants for the year 2015, with projections to 2020 and 2025. —Comer et al.

Oil

Oil Panama Emissions Fuel

California Air Resources Board unanimously adopts Advanced Clean Cars Package

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 27, 2012

The Advanced Clean Cars package will help clean our air, help us fight climate change, and perhaps most important for average citizens, save thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicles. The new standard drops greenhouse gas emissions to 166 grams per mile, a reduction of 34% compared to 2016 levels. one in 7 new cars).

Clean

Clean Cleaning California Cars

Senators Kerry and Lieberman Release Details of Energy and Climate Bill; Incentives for Electric Drive and Natural Gas Vehicles

Green Car Congress

MAY 13, 2010

Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the details of their long-anticipated energy and climate change legislation on Wednesday, 12 May. Industrial sources will not enter the program until 2016. Farmers are exempt from the carbon pollution compliance obligations in the bill.

Gas-Electric

Gas-Electric Gas Climate Energy

California Legislature passes $1.5B California Clean Air Initiative to cut emissions; $895M for mobile sources

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

The California state legislature has passed a set of bills ( AB 134 and AB 109 ) providing $895 million towards programs that will reduce air pollution from mobile sources which are responsible for 40% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. 10 million for the Transformative Climate Communities program. $26 It appropriates $621.7

California

California Clean Cleaning Emissions

UMD-led study finds China’s SO2 emissions down 75% since 2007, India’s up 50%; India may now be the top SO2 emitter

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 13, 2017

Sulfur dioxide is an air pollutant that causes acid rain, haze and many health-related problems. Two maps compare total annual sulfur dioxide amounts for India and China during 2005 (left) and 2016 based on Ozone Monitoring Instrument measurements. Illustration: Chris McLinden, Environment and Climate Change Canada.

India

India 2007 Emissions Coal

Study from Thuringia shows 50% of harmful soot comes from local sources, 50% from long-distance transport

Green Car Congress

JUNE 12, 2021

Soot particles from oil and wood heating systems as well as road traffic can pollute the air in Europe on a much larger scale than previously assumed. The IPCC will adopt and publish its new assessment report ( AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis ) in early August 2021.

Transportation

Transportation Germany Climate Change Climate

Canada, US and Mexico commit to align light- and heavy-duty fuel efficiency and GHG standards out to 2025 and 2027, respectively

Green Car Congress

JUNE 30, 2016

They further agreed to reduce air pollutant emissions by aligning air pollutant emission standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles and corresponding ultra low-sulfur fuel standards by 2018. Short-lived climate pollutants. In addition, the SmartWay freight transportation program will be extended to Mexico.

Mexico

Mexico Canada Standards Light

EPAs GHG Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles; Special Credits To Encourage PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs

Green Car Congress

APRIL 2, 2010

Yesterday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly established increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012 through 2016 model-year vehicles and fuel economy standards under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program, respectively.

EPA

EPA Standards Light PHEV

Federal Task Force Concludes CCS is Viable, But Carbon Price Is Critical; Sends Recommendations to President Obama on Fostering the Technology

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 12, 2010

The lack of comprehensive climate change legislation is the key barrier to CCS deployment. ” Widespread cost-effective deployment of CCS will occur only if the technology is commercially available at economically competitive prices and supportive national policy frameworks, such as a cap on carbon pollution, are in place.

Obama

Obama Carbon Price Coal

Discovery of mechanism for atmospheric particle formation suggests need for ammonia emission regulations

Green Car Congress

MAY 23, 2022

The presence of ammonia was first discovered in the upper troposphere in 2016 using the analysis of averaged MIPAS (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding) infrared limb-emission spectra. There are no factories or farms, and planes are thought to make up most of the pollutants in this area. —Neil Donahue.

Emissions

Emissions Pollution Climate Climate Change

EEA finds only mixed progress for Europe’s transport sector in meeting environment, climate goals; GHG emissions up 25% since 1990

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 6, 2017

Issues covered in the briefing include emissions, air pollution, noise and renewable energy and the impact of transport on ecosystems and biodiversity. Evolution of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU-28 from 1990 to 2016. In 2016, average emissions decreased by 1.5 In 2016, average emissions decreased by a further 4.7

Environment

Environment Transportation Emissions Climate

EPA issues endangerment finding on aircraft GHG emissions; opens door to regulation

Green Car Congress

JULY 25, 2016

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a determination under the Clean Air Act that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from certain types of aircraft engines contribute to the pollution that causes climate change and endangers Americans’ health and the environment.

EPA

EPA Emissions Climate Change Standards

EPA takes first steps toward regulating commercial aviation GHGs with endangerment finding under CAA

Green Car Congress

JUNE 11, 2015

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to find under section 231(a) of the Clean Air Act that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from commercial aircraft engines endanger the health and welfare of Americans by contributing to climate change. The ICAO standards are expected to be adopted in early 2016.

EPA

EPA Commercial Pollution Climate Change

Next 10 report finds California must increase GHG reductions to 4.9%/year through 2030 to meet target

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 23, 2020

The largest one-year emissions drop California has ever achieved was at the height of the Great Recession in 2009, when climate pollution fell 6.1%. This level is still below the state’s first climate milestone (2020’s AB 32 goal, met four years early in 2016) of reducing to 431 MMTCO 2 e below 1990 levels.

California

California 2018 2019 2017

Continental reports successful testing of diesel blends with 15% OME synthetic fuel

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 1, 2017

Due to their high oxygen concentration, they suppress pollutant formation in combustion. Germany launched a 3-year study of oxymethylene ethers (OME) as clean diesel fuels in 2016 ( earlier post ) and. Our objective is to create a transition phase in which normal driving does not contribute to climate change. In: Liebl J.,

Diesel

Diesel Fuel Exhaust 2016

Aerial methane survey finds a fraction of point sources responsible for more than a third of California’s methane emissions

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 7, 2019

From August 2016 to October 2018, NASA, through a contract with the two state agencies, flew remote sensing equipment over selected portions of the state. Researchers believe that statewide, these relatively few super emitters are responsible for about a third of California’s total methane emissions.

Emissions

Emissions Los Angeles California Oil

Global CO2 emissions stalled for the third year in a row

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 21, 2017

Global GHG emissions continue to be dominated by fossil carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, which however show a slowdown trend since 2012, and were stalled for the third year in a row in 2016. In 2016, the EU’s CO 2 emissions were 20.8% Europe’s downward trend stalling. below the levels in 1990 and 17.9% below the levels in 2005.

Emissions

Emissions Global CO2 Russia

DOE seeking input on H2@scale: hydrogen as centerpiece of future energy system; 50% reduction in energy GHGs by 2050

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

Source: DOE workshop April 2016. Responses to the RFI must be submitted electronically to H2Scale@ee.doe.gov with the subject line “DE-FOA-0001655 - RFI” no later than 5:00pm (ET) on 4 November 2016. Click to enlarge. commercial viability of fuel cell vehicle technology has been demonstrated (commercial vehicles being sold).

Hydrogen

Hydrogen Energy Future Low Cost

IRENA, IEA study concludes meeting 2?C scenario possible with net positive economics

Green Car Congress

MARCH 20, 2017

The Paris Agreement reflected an unprecedented international determination to act on climate. Reducing the impact on human health and mitigating climate change would save between two- and six- times more than the costs of decarbonization, according to IRENA’s calculations. Around US$3.5 trillion in 2015.

Renewable

Renewable Climate Climate Change Carbon

EPA: GHG emissions standards for cars and light trucks should be revised; joint process with NHTSA (updated with more reactions)

Green Car Congress

APRIL 2, 2018

Ceres’ BICEP network: “This decision will also increase air pollution, which will raise healthcare costs and lead to less productivity as a result of more missed work and school days.”. Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA sets national standards for vehicle tailpipe emissions of certain pollutants.

EPA

EPA Standards Emissions Light

Researchers say fuel market rebound effect can result in increased GHG emissions under RFS2; suggest taxes over mandates

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 8, 2016

This “fuel market rebound effect” can undermine climate change mitigation strategies, even to the point where efforts to reduce GHG emissions by increasing the supply of low-carbon fuels may actually result in increased GHG emissions. —Hill et al. 2016.07.035.

Tax

Tax Emissions Fuel Minnesota

Study finds fleet switch from PFI to GDI engines will result in net reduction in global warming

Green Car Congress

MAY 12, 2017

As a result, the market share of GDI-equipped vehicles has increased dramatically over the past decade and is expected to reach 50% of new gasoline vehicles sold in 2016. Widespread adoption of new engine technologies raises concerns about changes in emissions and their effects on air quality and the climate. Click to enlarge.

Fleet

Fleet Engine Fuel Economy Global

Audi begins initial engine testing of Global Bioenergies, Fraunhofer e-gasoline

Green Car Congress

MARCH 9, 2018

The fuel is free of sulfur and benzene and is therefore especially low in pollutants when it burns. In Dresden, Audi’s cooperation partner Sunfire operated a pilot plant for this purpose from late 2014 to October 2016. Audi e-diesel is also part of the Audi e-fuels portfolio. Earlier post.).

Audi

Audi Gasoline Global Engine

New analysis suggests Uber adding significantly to pollution and traffic in European cities

California ARB: GHG emissions fell below 1990 levels for first time in 2016; down 13% from 2004 peak; transportation emissions up 2%

IEA finds CO2 emissions flat for third straight year even as global economy grew in 2016

US and China jointly announce GHG reduction targets; US to cut net GHG 26-28% by 2025, China to peak CO2 by ~2030

California ARB releases proposed strategy to reduce impact of short-lived climate pollutants

MIT study finds air quality co-benefits of US carbon policies can significantly offset costs, depending upon the policy

California Assembly weighing integrating air pollution performance into GHG cap-and-trade

California cap-and-trade spending doubles to $1.4 billion in 2018; xEV rebates, affordable housing, wildfire prevention, public transit

EPA Issues Final Endangerment Finding for Greenhouse Gases

Latest GHG Inventory shows California remains below 2020 emissions target; much steeper rate of GHG reductions required

Cleaner fuels have replaced more than 3B gallons of diesel under California Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Government of Canada Releases Draft Regulations to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Light-Duty Vehicles; Outcome Aligned With US

California Air Resources Board posts revised draft of strategy to reduce “Super Pollutants”

Euro Parliament committee approves new 95 g/km CO2 target for cars; super credits and a switch to WLTP

EPA SmartWay honors 44 freight carriers for exceptional supply chain efficiency

EIB lends €65 million to Mossi and Ghisolfi Group for production of second-generation bioethanol

EPA proposes first US greenhouse gas emissions standards for aircraft

EEA report: EVs are better for climate and air quality

T&E study: EVs can be cheaper for Uber drivers to run than latest diesels in many European capitals

California’s Advanced Clean Cars program: transforming the light-duty fleet to zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles with an eye on 2050

Obama Administration Announces $8.33B in Loan Guarantees for New Nuclear Power Reactors in Georgia; First New US Nuclear Power Plant Project in Nearly 3 Decades

ICCT study examines current & projected use of heavy fuel oil in Arctic shipping; growth in BC emissions points to need for policies

California Air Resources Board unanimously adopts Advanced Clean Cars Package

Senators Kerry and Lieberman Release Details of Energy and Climate Bill; Incentives for Electric Drive and Natural Gas Vehicles

California Legislature passes $1.5B California Clean Air Initiative to cut emissions; $895M for mobile sources

UMD-led study finds China’s SO2 emissions down 75% since 2007, India’s up 50%; India may now be the top SO2 emitter

Study from Thuringia shows 50% of harmful soot comes from local sources, 50% from long-distance transport

Canada, US and Mexico commit to align light- and heavy-duty fuel efficiency and GHG standards out to 2025 and 2027, respectively

EPAs GHG Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles; Special Credits To Encourage PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs

Federal Task Force Concludes CCS is Viable, But Carbon Price Is Critical; Sends Recommendations to President Obama on Fostering the Technology

Discovery of mechanism for atmospheric particle formation suggests need for ammonia emission regulations

EEA finds only mixed progress for Europe’s transport sector in meeting environment, climate goals; GHG emissions up 25% since 1990

EPA issues endangerment finding on aircraft GHG emissions; opens door to regulation

EPA takes first steps toward regulating commercial aviation GHGs with endangerment finding under CAA

Next 10 report finds California must increase GHG reductions to 4.9%/year through 2030 to meet target

Continental reports successful testing of diesel blends with 15% OME synthetic fuel

Aerial methane survey finds a fraction of point sources responsible for more than a third of California’s methane emissions

Global CO2 emissions stalled for the third year in a row

DOE seeking input on H2@scale: hydrogen as centerpiece of future energy system; 50% reduction in energy GHGs by 2050

IRENA, IEA study concludes meeting 2?C scenario possible with net positive economics

EPA: GHG emissions standards for cars and light trucks should be revised; joint process with NHTSA (updated with more reactions)

Researchers say fuel market rebound effect can result in increased GHG emissions under RFS2; suggest taxes over mandates

Study finds fleet switch from PFI to GDI engines will result in net reduction in global warming

Audi begins initial engine testing of Global Bioenergies, Fraunhofer e-gasoline

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