PM [µg/m³]

urban background

regional background

hemispheric/natural background

Urban areas countryside

10

15

20

30

25

35

40 Traffic, local sources

1 15 April 2013

Local and national policy options

Rob Maas

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 2

Schematic view of local air pollution

PM [µg/m³]

urban background

regional background

hemispheric/natural background

Urban areas countryside

10

15

20

30

25

35

40 Traffic, local sources

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 3

Effective local policy options

1. Sources that significantly contribute to local air pollution

– Transport

– Residential heating

– Small scale industry & building

– Agriculture

2. Sources that are not/insufficiently regulated at the international level

– “Think global … Act local .. A Plan B for climate change”

– Transition vision: towards a Biobased economy .. Circular economy … Green Growth

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 4

What can national governments add?

● To EU-policy: go beyond traditional “technical measures”

› Integration with spatial planning, congestion policy, agricultural policy, energy policy, infrastructural investments, …

› Stimulate behavioural change teleworking, healthy lifestyle

› Stimulate innovation, efficiency

● To local policy:avoid the ‘social dilemma’

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 5

About carrots and sticks

1. Get the prices right taxes = national mandate!

– Include societal and environmental costs in product taxes;

– Remove perverse subsidies on energy, agriculture, (air)traffic

– Invest in clean technology development

2. Set limits to growth permits = local mandate!

– Only allow if future air quality is guaranteed

– Early scrapping of old equipment/cars

3. Innovate: show leadership

– Get industry, citizens and research community behind a long term vision that makes growth possible within air quality limit values

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 6

Low-level PM2.5-emissions in 473 European cities

– Traffic 35%

– Wood burning 34%

– Industrial processes 11%

– Other domestic sources 9%

– Industrial combustion 8%

– Waste 3%

Source: City-Delta Study

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 7

Local options for air quality improvement

Traffic emissions

– Road pricing ……………. Fuel and other taxes

– Low emission zones ………. Scrapping schemes

– Limit accessibility ……. Parking fees ….. Public transport

– Speed limits

– Adaptation: traffic circulation; screens/tunnels

Residential biomass burning

– Permitted or not?

– Set emission & fuel standards (reduction 50-75%) ?

– Focus on indoor health?

Industry

– Restructuring old industrial areas

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 8

exceedances of the PM10 24h-limit value

impacts of various control scenarios

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

2002 Trend

2005

Trend

2010

LEZ 2010

(Euro III & PF)

LEZ 2010

(EURO III + PF)

&

"StEP"

LEZ 2010

(EURO IV + PF)

&

"StEP"

aff

ecte

d r

esid

en

ts

0

50

100

150

200

250

len

gh

t of n

on

-atta

inm

en

t road

sectio

ns in

km

affected residents

length of street sections in non-

compliance

Case study Berlin: Low emission zones

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 9

Case study Greater London: Reduction in area exceeding PM10 limit values

%

reduction

in area

% reduction in

exposed

population

2008 7.4% 4.9%

2010 12.4% 12.6%

2012 26.7% 21.4%

Local and National Policy Options 15 April 2013 10

Case study Rotterdam: speed limits (120 80 km/h)

● slower speed less stop-go traffic

● other benefits:

– CO2 emissions (- 15%)

– Noise impacts (- 50%)

– Less road accidents and victims

NO2 PM10

emission reduction (%) 15-25% (NOx) 25-35%

air quality improvement

50m from roadside 5 μg/m3 (7%) 4 μg/m3 (4%)

200m from roadside 3 μg/m3 (3%) 1 μg/m3 (1%)

reduction in contribution A13 to total air quality (up to 200m) 25% 34%

Local and national policy options | 02 April 2013 11 11

Case study PM2.5 exposure Netherlands: the scope for cost-effective local measures is smaller than for European wide measures

European measures

Local and national policy options | 02 April 2013 12

Case study Natura2000 protection Netherlands: balancing actions at different spatial levels: local-

national-EU

12

Local management

plans:

Low habitat quality

& High

exceedence

expanding zones with limited room for new farms

reducing public support Sources of deposition: 2/3 national 1/3 international

Local and national policy options | 02 April 2013 13

Measures for agricultural NH3 emissions

Generic

reduce emissions and background deposition

Location specific

reduce deposition on a specific nature reserve

Technical general rules for manure storage, application, animal houses, etc.

local implementation of stricter animal housing standards (air scrubbers)

Non-technical

Limits on livestock density relocation of farms

closure of farms

restrictions on farming within certain areas

Local and national policy options | 02 April 2013 14

Less meat is healthy, less costly and good for the environment

Expenditure Energy Land use Ammonia Pesticides

Average diet

Healthy diet

Local and national policy options | 02 April 2013 15

Conclusion

● There is a potential for further air quality improvement by taking technical and non-technical measures at national and local level

– Taxation

– Scrapping schemes

● Do national & local governments need international coordination to take action?

– EU-pressure? Voluntary actions?

– Facilitate mutual learning?