Pollution policy

In a relatively small continental area such as Europe, there is not much difference between what would be considered the regional scale and the continental scale. However, on most other continents there would be a difference between what is considered regional and what continental. Perhaps of greatest concern on the continental scale is that the air pollution policies of a nation are likely to create impacts on neighboring nations. Acid rain in Scandanavia has been considered to have had impacts from Great Britain and Western Europe. Japan has considered that part of their air pollution problem, especially in the western part of the country, has origins in China and Korea. Cooperation in the examination of the North American acid rain problem has existed for a long time between Canada and the United States. 

Important for the national and European air pollution policy is how much of the measured particulate matter is of anthropogenic origin. A simple assessment indicates that 20-25% of PM10 is of natural origin hence, the majority of PM10... 

Important for air pollution policy in Europe is the contribution to PM 10 that is of anthropogenic origin. It is this fraction that can be targeted by national and European abatement strategies. Below, a first-order rather pragmatic assessment... 

Keywords chemical air pollution policy European institutions, EU Air Quality Framework Directive, Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution Convention (CLRTAP), UNECE, 1999 Gothenburg Protocol, NEC Directive, linkages, interplay. 

Also interesting to explore is the tendency of authorities to attempt to out-compete each other, intending to be perceived as the most relevant authority in tackling a given problem. To draw out the dynamics between the two institutions, this section will reference the historical landmarks in air pollution regulation from both governing bodies, and examine the history and development of air pollution policy in Europe more generally. 

Under this convention, member countries agreed to a non-binding commitment to aim to reduce transboundary air pollution. Focusing on the worst identified offender of air pollution, CLRTAP calls for an extensive international program for monitoring and evaluating air movement patterns of sulfur dioxide. This convention established a base for air pollution policy that mandated international cooperation in research, development, and publishing of emission levels, a trend the European Community has incorporated into its own subsequent policies. 

This section will explore each of these and show how each commonality manifests within the policies and/or why it is important for future air pollution policy development. 

In addition to economic restructuring, air pollution policies adopted in the early transition period contributed to a steeper decline in emissions by the end of the 1990s than was anticipated by CEE governments as economically feasible. This allowed transition countries to agree under the 1999 Multi-Pollutant Protocol to high emission reductions compared to 1990 levels, which however did not require huge reductions of the then current 1999 levels, or policies significantly different to those already adopted or slated for implementation (Table 8.1). 

Tietenberg, Thomas. (1985). Emissions Trading An Exercise in Reforming Pollution Policy. Resources for the Future Washington, DC. 

Liliana B. Andonova is Assistant Professor of Government and Environmental Studies at Colby College. She is the author of Transnational Politics of the Environment The European Union and Environmental Policies in Central and Eastern Europe (MIT Press). The book compares the regulatory reform and implementation of chemical safety and air pollution policies in three CEE countries Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. Her current research interests include trade and environment issues in transition economies, the role of public-private partnerships in global governance, climate change politics, and the influence of international institutions on the domestic scene. 

Owens, S. (1990) The Unified Pollution Inspectorate and Best Practicable Environmental Option in the United Kingdom , in N. Haigh and E. Irwin (eds.). Integrated Pollution Policy Control in Europe and North America, Washington The Conservation Foundation. 

In non-industrial urban areas, sulphur dioxide emissions are much higher during winter than in summer. Over a long period, the sulphur dioxide concentration has decreased (Figure C.2.8) because of the anti-pollution policies, the evolution of the industrial structure resulting in the disappearance of heavy industries, and energy saving. 

The second important target of the anti-air pollution policies was the automobile. The general goal was the introduction of a car with reduced exhaust emissions. This was aimed through an intricate system of direct, fast acting fiscal benefits and regulations. The most important measures were ... 

In the forest economy, measures have been taken which in addition to the anti-air pollution policies should improve the resistance of the forest ecosystems, maintain the stability of forest soils and consequently mitigate the damaging processes. Forests which are stressed by acute chronic pollution are also susceptible to naturally occuring stress factors. Air pollutants, therefore, intensify the common and well-known problems of forest protection such as excessive game density, insects, storms etc. 

Agency (EPA) established. Amendments to the Clean Air Act significantly raised Federal role (through EPA) in US air-pollution policy, including establishment of national ambient standards and emission limits on toxic or hazardous pollutants. 

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