Emissions from transportation are the fastest growing source of global greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions expected to increase 300 percent by 2050, according to research by the Worldwatch Institute. Today, emissions from transportation contribute to approximately 80 percent of the harmful air pollutants that result in 1.3 million premature deaths annually, according to Michael Replogle and Colin Hughes of the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP). The two authored the fourth chapter, “Moving Toward Sustainable Transport, in Worldwatch’s book State of the World 2012: Moving Toward Sustainable Prosperity, published in April.

The largest financial commitment made at the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012 was a pledge by the 8 largest multilateral development banks (MDBs) to commit 500 staff and to dedicate $175 billion for more sustainable transportation in the coming decade. This unprecedented agreement was facilitated by the Partnership on Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT), which brings together 68 MDBs, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and research and industry organizations.

“This action promises to begin countering decades of unsustainable investments in transportation systems, such as building high-capacity motorways,” says Michael Renner, Worldwatch Senior Researcher and State of the World 2012 project co-director. “But it will require new resources for civil society groups to be able to ensure independent monitoring of impacts and follow-through by MDBs.”

“If transportation investments and management policies foster walking, cycling, use of high quality public transportation, and smart traffic management, growing urbanization can reduce consumption of scarce resources, protect public health, and deliver happier, nicer cities,” comments Michael Replogle, Managing Director for Policy and Founder of ITDP and State of the World 2012 contributing author. “These unprecedented MDB financial and reporting commitments present an opportunity to leverage large shifts in domestic and private transportation investment and to build capacity for a paradigm shift.”

The demands on transportation infrastructure continue to mount. Without changes in policy, 2 to 3 billion cars will be on the world’s roads by 2050, in comparison to 800 million cars today, according to the International Energy Agency.

Current transportation and land development patterns disadvantage the poor, often forcing them to choose between low incomes in informal-sector employment that is close to affordable housing, or somewhat higher-paying jobs that are reachable only if they spend a large share of their income and hours each day commuting. In many cities, the urban poor cannot afford public transportation and end up walking long distances. Additionally, in many places it is unsafe to walk. In Surabaya, Indonesia, for example, 60 percent of roads have no usable sidewalks.

“All of these negative consequences are not inevitable results of urbanization and development,” says Colin Hughes, Global Policy Director at ITDP and State of the World 2012 contributing author. “Experience in some cities show that in comparison to a business-as-usual rapid motorization strategy, sustainable transport strategies can address rising mobility needs that accompany increases in population, employment, and trade at a lower cost overall, with more job creation and fewer adverse impacts.”

Global funding for carbon capture and storage technology, a tool for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, remained unchanged at $23.5 billion in 2011 in comparison to the previous year, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute. Although there are currently 75 large-scale, fully integrated carbon capture and storage projects in 17 countries at various stages of development, only eight are operational – a figure that has not changed since 2009.

Carbon capture and storage, more commonly known as CCS, refers to the technology that attempts to capture carbon dioxide from a human-created source – often industry and power generation systems – and then store it in permanent geologic reservoirs so that it never enters the atmosphere. The United States is the leading funder of large-scale CCS projects, followed by the European Union and Canada. The new Worldwatch report, part of the Institute’s Vital Signs Online series analyzing key global trends, discusses a variety of new CCS projects and facilities throughout the world. Among these is the Century Plant in the United States, which began operating in 2010.

“Although CCS technology has the potential to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions – particularly when used in greenhouse gas-intensive coal plants – developing the CCS sector to the point that it can make a serious contribution to emissions reduction will require large-scale investment,” says report author and Worldwatch Sustainable Energy Fellow, Matthew Lucky. “Capacity will have to be increased several times over before CCS can begin to make a dent in global emissions.” Currently, the storage capacity of all active and planned large-scale CCS projects is equivalent to only about 0.5 percent of the emissions from energy production in 2010.

The prospects for future development and application of CCS technology will be influenced by a variety of factors, according to the report. This March, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. As a result, US power producers would soon be unable to build traditional coal plants without carbon-control capabilities (including CCS). The technology will likely become increasingly important as power producers adjust to the new regulations.

Globally, an international regulatory framework for CCS is developing slowly, and the technology has been factored into international climate negotiations.

A new Worldwatch Institute report stresses the urgent need for cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions. Although global emissions of carbon dioxide (C02) declined slightly in 2009, the beginnings of economic recovery led to an unprecedented emissions increase of 5.8 percent in 2010. In 2011, global atmospheric levels of CO2 reached a high of 391.3 parts per million (ppm), up from 388.6 ppm in 2010 and 280 ppm in pre-industrial times. According to new research conducted by the Worldwatch Institute (www.worldwatch.org) for its Vital Signs Online project, energy use represents the largest source of global CO2 emissions.

More than 70 percent of CO2 emissions result from the burning of fossil fuels for energy use, such as electricity generation, transportation, manufacturing, and construction. In 2009, electricity generation and heating alone accounted for 41 percent of all energy related CO2 emissions.

“Unfortunately for the future of climate, the global economy remains tightly coupled to fossil fuel combustion and carbon dioxide emissions,” says Worldwatch president Robert Engelman. “We gained a short respite from increases in C02 emissions – but only at the cost of an economic downturn. Now we are rebounding economically – at the cost of once again accelerating the approach of a high-risk warming that the world’s nations have so far been unable to address.”

The report highlights emissions increases in both industrialized and developing economies. Member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a group of industrialised countries, increased their emissions by 3.4 percent in 2010, while countries outside the OECD saw an increase of 7.6 percent. Although China was the world’s largest overall emitter in 2010 (followed by the United States, India, and Russia), an examination of emissions per capita tells a different story. China ranks only 61st in terms of the CO2 emitted per person. In India – the world’s third largest emitter – emissions per capita rank far below the world average. The United States, in contrast, ranks second overall and 10th in per capita emissions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has long stressed the urgent need for cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, according to the Worldwatch report, national governments have largely failed to bring about the needed reductions.

“The Kyoto Protocol is an important achievement because it is the only international instrument that sets legally binding targets, yet it is increasingly becoming symbolic as it now only regulates around 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions,” says author and Worldwatch’s climate and energy research associate, Xing Fu-Bertaux.

Global CO2 levels are now 45 percent above the 1990 level, which serves as the reference base year for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Several Annex I countries – including the United States, which signed but never ratified the Kyoto Protocol – will be unable to meet their original reductions targets. Since December 2011, Canada, Japan, and Russia, have chosen not to take on additional emissions targets within the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol in the coming decade.

Data submitted by the EPA to the EU Commission show that emissions of Greenhouse Gases in 2011 for companies in Ireland covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are considerably lower than in 2010. The data for 2011 shows emissions have dropped sharply to 15.77 Mtonnes from 17.36 Mtonnes in 2010.

The reduction is largely due to a decline in emissions from the cement industry (a decrease of 12 per cent) and from the power generation sector (a decrease of 11 per cent). A slight increase (1 per cent) was noted in the emissions from companies in the food and drink sector, reflecting the current strength of this sector.

Dr Maria Martin of the EPA comments: “The emission reduction reflects both the impact of the current recession in terms of reduced energy and cement demand, and the increased availability of wind generation on the grid. Continued development of both the renewable energy sector and energy efficiency policies is crucial to further reducing power generation emissions. The decarbonisation of the energy sector is essential to assist Ireland in meeting future Greenhouse Gas emissions obligations and moving us to a more sustainable low carbon economy.”

Over 100 major industrial and institutional sites in Ireland are covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme. These include power generation, other combustion, cement, lime, glass and ceramic plants and oil refining. Also included are large companies in areas such as food and drink, pharmaceuticals and semi-conductors.

As was the case for 2010, emissions have again shown an over-allocation of Greenhouse Gas allowances in 2011, under the National Allocation Plan, as compared to the earlier years where there was an under-allocation to participating companies. The major reductions in emissions (and the associated over-allocation) are in the cement sector and the power generation sector, reflecting the very significant downturn in the economy.

The magnitude of the recession was not anticipated when allowance allocations to companies in the ETS were decided in 2006 and 2007. While the resulting over-allocation of allowances to any companies is not desirable, it should be noted that the current Allocation Plan covers a five year period and the overall outcome will not be clear until the end of 2012.

Pressure is mounting on the EU to raise the carbon price under the Emissions Trading System (ETS) – the EU’s main tool for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions. The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee has just voted by a significant majority in favour of withholding carbon allowances in the ETS – a move that would increase the carbon price if it were adopted.

The price of carbon has collapsed in recent years – mainly due to the financial crisis, which reduced industrial production and therefore emissions, flooding the carbon market with surplus emissions allowances. This has seriously impacted the effectiveness of the ETS.

The vote came as part of discussions on the Energy Efficiency Directive. The Parliament’s Environment Committee had already voted in favour of the move at the end of January.

“It is good to see two important Parliamentary committees recognise the impact the economic crisis has had on the effectiveness of the ETS, and propose solutions to fix it,” comments Remi Gruet, Senior Regulatory Affairs Advisor for Environment and Climate at the European Wind Energy Association. “The European Commission and Council must now support and implement measures to withhold carbon allowances so that the ETS can rapidly start reducing Europe’s emissions as it was designed to do.”

The recent European Commission paper on the impacts of moving beyond a 20% emissions reduction target shows that it is possible to withhold emissions allowances without harming the lower-income countries in the EU.

More bus routes across London are set to benefit from vehicles fitted with innovative technology to reduce pollution. In addition, a second 140 sq m green wall is to be installed in central London helping to trapharmful road transport emissions.

Transport for London (TfL) has been trialling two types of technology that is fitted to bus exhaust pipes to reduce either PM10 or NOx pollution. Results have shown significant reductions in emissions on buses piloting the equipment with PM10 reduced by 77 percent and NOx has reduced by 88 per cent.

Following these successful trials, the Mayor of London has now confirmed the wider introduction of the technology. 155 buses will be the first to be fitted with equipment to cut PM10 levels. The routes have been selected based on levels of current air quality.

In addition, up to 1,000 older buses are set to receive the NOx reducing equipment. This is the largest retrofit of this type of equipment in the UK. TfL will target around 50 bus routes where concentrations of NOx are highest.

Furthermore, following the completion of a green wall on Edgware Road Tube Station adjacent to Marylebone Road, a second green wall is now set to be built (subject to planning permission) on the Mermaid Theatre at Blackfriars on Upper Thames Street. Green walls are visually stunning whilst also trapping pollutants, removing them from the air.

These initiatives are part of the Mayor’s Clean Air Fund which has been financed by an initial £5 million from the Department for Transport to deliver targeted local measures tackling PM10. An additional £5 million has been secured from the Department of Transport (match funded with £5 million from TfL) to expand the Clean Air Fund into a second stage which is funding the NOx bus retrofit work.

TfL estimates that by 2015, 7,500 buses will be Euro IV NOx compliant (through replacing older buses with newer, cleaner models or through retrofitting).

The EPA has published information on Ireland’s position in relation to meeting its 2010 obligations under the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NEC Directive). The figures show the trends for four key air pollutants over the period 1990 to 2010. These pollutants are sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH3) and they are responsible for long-range transboundary air pollution such as acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone pollution.

The European Community, through the NEC Directive, limits emissions of these four pollutants by 2010 and each year thereafter, through country specific national ceilings. These provisional figures for 2010 were recently reported to the European Commission by the EPA. The figures will be finalised in December 2012  and thereafter, the European Commission will assess Ireland’s compliance under the NEC Directive.

This latest information from the EPA shows levels of sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and ammonia were below the 2010 emission ceilings. Reductions in these three pollutants have been achieved through a diverse range of measures including effective licencing and enforcement by the EPA, stricter regulation of VOC emissions from vehicles and declining animal numbers in the agriculture sector.

There has been a significant reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions over the period 1990 to 2010. However, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions continue to pose a challenge with emission levels 7.6 ktonnes above the 2010 limit. Although reductions in NOx levels from the transport sector have been delivered through technological improvements these have not been as substantial as originally anticipated. Advances in emission controls have been largely off-set by large increases in vehicle numbers and fuel use during a time of significant economic growth over the period 1990 to 2008.

Laura Burke, director general of EPA, comments: ”Emissions of sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and ammonia are below the 2010 emission ceilings. However, in spite of substantial reductions, nitrogen oxide emissions continue to pose the greatest challenge with these latest figures showing that Ireland is exceeding its 2010 limit. Limiting nitrogen oxide emissions, in particular from the transport sector, with cost-efficient and feasible measures in future years will be challenging.”

The agriculture sector accounts for 98 per cent of ammonia (NH3). NH3 emissions are 9.8 ktonnes below the 2010 ceiling which is a positive outcome in terms of meeting obligations under the NEC Directive. However, limiting and reducing NH3 emissions into the future could be problematic given the strong performance of the agriculture sector in line with the ambitious targets of Food Harvest 2020.

The NEC report is available to download from the EPA website at http://www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/air/airemissions/

University College Cork (UCC) has become the first third level institution worldwide to be recommended for ISO 50001 Standard (Energy Management Systems). ISO 50001 is an international standard that enables organisations to establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use, and consumption.

UCC was the first third level institution to implement this internationally recognised standard since it was launched just over four months ago. UCC is also the first public sector body in Ireland to be recommended for certification to ISO 50001. Implementation of this standard can lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy cost, and other related environmental impacts, through systematic management of energy.

The university, which has 2,740 staff and 20,000 students, has a long track record in energy management and has been particularly successful in winning grant support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support energy saving initiatives. UCC currently has projects involving lighting, metering, heat recovery, ventilation, photovoltaics and wind energy. under way across the campus.

Enerit software was used to allow rapid implementation of ISO 50001. This standard became internationally recognised in June 2011 and promises to reach over 500,000 organisations worldwide.

The ISO 50001 award to UCC follows on the award of the world’s first Green Campus Flag for third level institutions by An Taisce and the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) in 2010.

Provisional greenhouse gas emissions figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include trends since 1990, and show Ireland’s status in meeting our obligations set under the Kyoto Protocol. Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.69 million tonnes (1.1%) in 2010.

Agriculture remains the single largest contributor to overall emissions, at 30.4% of the total, followed by Energy (primarily power generation) and Transport at 21.7% and 19.1%  respectively. The remainder is made up by the Industry and Commercial at 14.9%, the Residential sector at 12.6% and Waste at 1.5%.

The figures show that, while Ireland’s Kyoto limit in the period 2008-2012 is 62.84 million tonnes per annum, Ireland’s combined emissions in 2008, 2009 and 2010 were 6.65 million tonnes above this limit when the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and approved Forest Sinks are taken into account. Taking unused allowances from the ETS into account, Ireland is on track to meet its Kyoto commitment.

”The reduction in Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions is welcome, particularly the continued reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector,” comments Laura Burke, director of EPA. “Ireland is on track to meet our emission limits for 2008-2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. However in order to meet the very stringent EU 2020 limits and to move permanently to a low carbon economy, new policies are required to be identified, assessed, adopted and implemented.”

Dr Eimear Cotter, senior manager at EPA, says: :”Emission reductions have been recorded across Transport and Waste with all other sectors showing an increase on 2009 levels. This is despite the economy contracting in 2010 and highlights the challenge we are facing in meeting our emission reduction targets.”

Changes to Sectoral Emissions

The emissions from agriculture increased by 0.04 million tonnes (0.2%) in 2010. This is the first increase in this sector since 2003. The increase in emissions reflects primarily a large increase in fertiliser sales as well as an increase in gas oil use on farms. Declining trends in total cattle numbers and sheep continue in 2010 while swine numbers have increased relative to 2009.

Emissions related to energy are calculated based on SEAI’s annual energy balance and for 2010 were 0.25 million tonnes higher than in 2009 which represents a 1.9% increase. This reflects a reduction in the share of renewables in gross electricity consumption from 14.3% in 2009 to 12.9% in 2010. Wind and hydro resources were less in 2010 which resulted in more electricity generation from coal and gas-fired power stations.

Transport emissions were 1.32 million tonnes lower in 2010 than in 2009. This represents a decrease of 10.1%, following sustained increases in this sector since 1990. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of the economic downturn plus the changes in vehicle registration tax and road tax introduced in mid-2008 and the Biofuels Obligation Scheme. Emissions in 2010 were 131% higher than the 1990 transport emissions.

Industry and commercial emissions increased by 0.1 million tonnes (1.1%) in 2010. This reflects an increase in CO2 emissions from the alumina industry which is offset, to some extent, by the continuing decline in cement production. In particular, returns from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme show emissions from the cement sector peaked in 2007 and have decreased by 55% between 2007 and 2010.

Residential emissions in 2010 increased by 0.32 million tonnes (4.4%) from the 2009 level. This reflects an increase in fossil fuel use from households due to a considerably colder and longer heating season in 2010.

Waste emissions show a decrease of 0.07 million tonnes (6.9%) below the 2009 level which reflects increased methane utilisation for electricity production relative to 2009. Landfill gas utilisation and on-site flaring offset over 70% of methane production in 2010.

European wind power production will meet a massive 31% of the emissions reduction required by the current EU climate target. According to a new report by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) by 2020, the EU wind industry will avoid 342 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 31% of the EU’s target of reducing emissions by 20%. If emissions avoided by other renewable electricity technologies are included, the equivalent of almost half (48%) of the EU’s target of reducing emissions by 20% is avoided.

The huge contribution of wind power shows it is possible for the EU to move from a 20% to a 30% emissions reduction target, according to the EWEA. If the EU was to move to a 30% target, wind energy could still provide the equivalent of 20% of the reduction. The report also analyses the impact of wind energy on the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) emission reduction targets and the international greenhouse gas reduction pledges.

The data backs up an earlier report from the EEA showing that both the crisis and renewables have been the main drivers for emissions reductions in recent years. It comes at an appropriate time, as the European Parliament is discussing the 2050 low carbon roadmap presented by the European Commission in February and is actively considering including a demand to increase the legally binding renewable energy target after 2020.

“An ambitious 2020 climate target is key to maintaining Europe’s leadership in the wind power industry in an environment of fast growing global competition from China, the US, South Korea and Japan,” says Remi Gruet, EWEA’s senior advisor on Climate and Environment. “It is clear that by deploying wind energy and other renewables the EU can move to a 30% greenhouse gas reduction target with ease.”

The EPA has published the allocation of Greenhouse gas emission allowances for the aviation sector under Irish administration as part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The EU is in the process of extending Emissions Trading to international aviation. From January 1st 2012 flights landing or departing from airports within the territories of the EU Member States (and the EEA-EFTA countries Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland) will be required to surrender one EU allowance for every tonne of CO2 emitted no later than the 30th April of the following calendar year. Monitoring of CO2 emissions will be by calculation based on consumption of fuel and standardised emission factors.

Each year airlines will receive a certain number of free allowances and will be required to buy any additional allowances they may need on the carbon markets. As Ireland can be first ‘(air)port of call’ for many cross-Atlantic flights, some 52 operators assigned to this country have been deemed eligible for a free allocation. Most of these are small private or corporate aircraft.

The European Commission has proposed new rules that will set stricter limits for emissions from jet skis and recreational boats. Scientific studies show lakes and seashores can be seriously polluted by the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from the EU’s 6 million leisure craft.

The proposed revision of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) sets stricter limits for NOx, hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matters for new recreational crafts.

The proposal also improves market surveillance and safety requirements as it updates the rules on CE marking.

Member States will have to ensure that adequate checks are performed both at the EU external borders and within the Union itself, partly through site visits to economic operators to spot sub-standard leisure craft which will be immediately confiscated.