Carbon-financed Cookstove Program Failed to Deliver the Benefits in the Field

Replacing traditional cooking fires and stoves in the developing world with "cleaner" stoves is a potential strategy to reduce household air pollution that worsens climate change and is a leading global killer.

A new study by researchers from the University of British Columbia, University of Washington and elsewhere -- which measured ambient and indoor household air pollution before and after a carbon-finance-approved cookstove intervention in rural India -- found that the improvements were less than anticipated.

Actual indoor concentrations measured in the field were only moderately lower for the new stoves than for traditional stoves, according to a paper published in June in Environmental Science & Technology. The study is one of only a handful to measure on-the-ground differences from a clean cookstove project in detail, and the first to assess co-benefits from a carbon-financed cookstove intervention.

Additionally, 40 percent of families who used a more efficient wood stove as part of the intervention also elected to continue using traditional stoves, which they preferred for making staple dishes such as roti bread. That duplication erased many of the hoped-for efficiency and pollution improvements.

Read the full article @ Science Daily

China's Coal Use Peaks, to Control CO2 and Air Pollution

A new study confirms what Climate Progress first reported in May 2015: China’s coal use appears to have peaked years ahead of schedule. Leading climate economist Lord Nicholas Stern, currently at the London School of Economics, together with colleagues from Tsinghua University in Beijing, has an open-access article in the journal Nature Geoscience, “China’s post-coal growth.” The researchers conclude:

Slowing GDP growth, a structural shift away from heavy industry, and more proactive policies on air pollution and clean energy have caused China’s coal use to peak. It seems that economic growth has decoupled from growth in coal consumption. They place China’s peak coal year in 2013, explaining, “China’s coal use dropped to 4.12 billion tons, a decrease of 2.9% in 2014, with another 3.6% increase in 2015,” while GDP grew roughly 7 percent both years.

The study includes the customary caveats about “ambiguities in the accuracy of China’s coal use data,” but notes that “the government has retrospectively revised statistics on the basis of more accurate accounting.” They point out that “for long-term perspective, it is not important whether the peak year is 2013 or 2014: What matters is the reversal in the trend.”

But is this really a permanent trend shift or “merely a temporary dip due to economic fluctuations,” as the study puts it? The authors note that there are three reasons to believe this is a trend reversal. 

• First, China’s economic slowdown and its shift away from heavy manufacturing “are long-term trends characterizing China’s new phase of economic development.” This is a key point we madelast year in a post on a new study from the Center for American Progress (where I am a Senior Fellow):
• Second, China’s shift away from coal is part of a “long-term strategy” to respond to their terrible air pollution problems, as well as climate change. The authors note, “For the government, curbing air pollution is important aspect of maintaining political legitimacy.” Many Chinese experts in and out of the country made that same point to me during and after my visit to Beijing last June. On the climate front, the Chinese government said back in November 2014 that it would cap coal use by 2020, as we reported. And that pledge came quickly after the breakthrough CO2 deal Chinese President Xi Jinping announced with Obama that same month, where we learned “China intends to achieve the peaking of CO2 emissions around 2030 and to make best efforts to peak early.” China was always planning to peak CO2 (and coal) early.
• Third, the authors point out that China has made leadership in clean energy a national priority. We’ve already seen China become a leader in solar manufacturing and deployment, wind manufacturing and deployment, and electric car and battery manufacturing and deployment. China now accounts for “one third of global investment in clean energy.”

Read the full article @ Think Progress

Korea Promises to Reduce Their Air Pollution Burden in Seoul by 10% by 2018

Last year, the average number of fine dust particles (PM 2.5) per cubic meter in Seoul equaled 23 micrograms. “Given the fact that air pollution in Seoul isn’t created by the city alone, the goal of the city government to reduce it by 20 micrograms will require the city to do all it can,” said Seo Jeom-sook, official of the Climate and Environment Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. “The Ministry of Environment set the same goal in air quality index, but its target year is 2021. The Seoul government is trying to do the same thing in a shorter time frame.”

According to the city government, 79 percent of air pollution in Seoul is influenced by factors outside of Seoul and Korea. But within the city, it says, 35 percent of air pollution is caused by vehicles. Seoul said it will crack down on the 113,000 diesel vehicles weighing more than 2.5 tons which were registered before 2005. From 2017 onward, the city government will ask the vehicles’ owners to scrap the cars or install them with pollution reduction devices.

Furthermore, the city will restrict these old diesel vehicles from entering Seoul and the capital areas and anyone who violates the regulations twice will be fined up to 2 million won ($1,760).

Read the full article @ Seoul Daily

Car Ride Sharing Legalized in China

China is already the largest market for ridesharing services, with Uber fighting to gain market share against leader Didi Chuxing. But until now the practice has been quasi-legal at best. That changed on Thursday when the Chinese government ruled that the industry is legal and set guidelines for things like fares and driver employment. Most notably, the government told local authorities to “encourage, support and guide” the industry, according the Associated Press.

“DiDi welcomes the government’s endorsement and encouragement of the industry and China’s emerging sharing economy,” the company said in a statement. “We believe the Rules will usher in a new stage of growth for China’s online ride-booking ecosystem and that DiDi is prepared to meet these new requirements.”

The joint ruling from China’s transportation ministry and other departments still designates most regulation of ridesharing services to local governments. But at the least, companies like Uber hope that their offices won’t be raided by police again, like they were in several cities last year.

Read the full article @ Forbes

Air Quality Monitoring Market is Worth USD 5.64 Billion in 2021

On the basis of products, the global AQM market is divided into two major categories, namely, indoor and outdoor monitors. Indoor monitors are further divided into fixed and portable monitors. Outdoor monitors are further classified into fixed, portable, dust, and particulate monitors and AQM stations. The indoor monitors segment is estimated to command the larger share in the global air quality monitoring market in 2016. The larger market share can primarily be attributed to the increasing adoption of smart home & green-building technologies, growing consumer preference for pollution-free indoor environments, and the development & commercialization of innovative wearable air quality monitoring technologies.

The AQM market has also been segmented on the basis of sampling method into continuous, manual, passive, and intermittent sampling methods. The continuous monitoring segment is estimated to command the largest share in the global air quality monitoring market in 2016. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the presence of supportive government regulations for effective continuous air pollution monitoring across major markets, technological advancements in continuous monitoring systems, and a large installation base for continuous air monitoring systems.

Based on type of pollutants, the chemical pollutants segment is estimated to dominate the global air quality monitoring market in 2016. The largest share of this segment can be attributed to factors such as increasingly stringent government regulations for effective monitoring & control of rising air pollution levels, growing public concerns related to health implications of air pollution, and ongoing development and commercialization of innovative gas & chemical detection sensors.

Read the full article @ PRN Newswire

Infographic - Benefits of Banning Old Vehicles in Delhi - at Best 4% of the Overall PM2.5 Pollution

Air Pollution Turns Diamonds - Really, Coming to Beijing

Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde has come up with an innovative plan to tackle Beijing’s air pollution problem – and in doing so, turn a health hazard into a thing of beauty. After a pilot in Rotterdam, the Smog Free Project is coming to China. The project consists of two parts. First, a 7m tall tower sucks up polluted air, and cleans it at a nano-level. Second, the carbon from smog particles is turned into diamonds. Yes, diamonds.



The other aspect of the project will see the captured smog transformed into diamonds. 32% of Beijing’s smog is carbon, which under 30 minutes of pressure can be turned into diamonds. “As a designer, I’m like, this [the Beijing smog] is something we should use, this is something interesting,” he said. “In the future waste should not exist.” The money raised by jewellery made with these diamonds will go towards supporting the development and building more Smog Free towers.

Read the full article @ the World Economic Forum

US to Help Make Viral Videos on Climate Change in India

The U.S. government is planning a viral video campaign to “raise awareness on climate change” in India as part of an initiative to help the country decrease its carbon emissions. “Climate Change is a top policy priority for Mission India,” which is why State Department will pay up to $95,000 for several 2-3 minute videos that will “inspire the viewers to take action to curb climate change,” according to a grant announcement posted Friday.

In partnership with the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad, India, the State Department wants to “create and spread awareness on key climate change issues.” The organization who eventually gets the award will research topics, conduct focus groups and create storyboards for the video series. The U.S. consulate in India will assist in the project by coordinating with locals and approving final content.

The State Department wants to do the project right, as “visual mediums tend to create a strong impression.” Whatever organization receives the award must work with a local Indian director. The grant could also support the local economy, as the grant could be awarded to an Indian non-profit organization.

As a developing country, India has struggled to commit the same level of support to the global fight against climate change that other, more developed nations have promised. “While concerns about air pollution are widespread in India, the connection to climate change and the burning of fossil fuels and wood (as opposed to moving towards clean energy that reduces air pollution) is less understood,” the grant notice says.

Read the full article @ the Libertarian Republic

Why Pune Does a Good Job with Municipal Waste Management?

All of India’s metropolises are grappling with problems of pollution, poor air quality, no sewage treatment and inadequate solid waste disposal. We ignore the issues until they suddenly erupt in the form of frequent fires at overused dumping grounds (Mumbai), lakes frothing with toxic foam that hit the streets or mass death of fish (Bengaluru), cities being flooded (Chennai) or having to resort to extreme traffic restraints (Delhi). Here are four things that seem to be working in Pune where the integrated SWM effort has ensured high (50%-55%) segregation at source in a city that generates 1600-1700mtd (metric tonnes a day) of waste every day.

1. Right Man for the Job: Committed and dynamic individuals drive change. In Pune, joint municipal commissioner, Suresh Jagtap is the driving force and seems totally committed to the 4Rs (reduction, reuse, recycle and recover) of sustainable development. Concerned Punekars acknowledge that there is genuine ‘stakeholder engagement’ and accountability that extends from rag-pickers’ collectives, to NGOs, citizens’ groups, educational institution and elected corporators. This is through increased transparency and a third-party audit by three educational institutions who produce a well publicised colour-coded monthly scorecard on how each corporator’s constituency has fared on the SWM front. 
2. Multiple Solutions: PMC has combined an integrated approach with a decentralised waste management strategy that encourages NGOs and private sector participation. It has 25 decentralised bio-methane plants which produce 600kw of electricity and compost; the 300tpd NEX plant that converts food waste to bio-CNG, 300TPB (total plumbum) vermi-compost and compost projects (Ajinkya Biofert and Disha), and the Rochem Separation Systems which processes mixed waste to produce 300tpd producing RDF (refuse derived fuel). It also has 13 smaller composting plants. Townships such as the unique Magarpatta City in Pune also take pride in being near-zero garbage as just a part of its focus on eco-sustainability. Key to efficient waste sorting and collection are large organisations such as SWACH (Solid Waste Handlers and Collectors’ Society), at the ground level.
3. Incentives & Fees: Segregation of waste has been made mandatory for all residents with the levy of user charges. At the same time, there is a 5% tax rebate for those who have onsite waste disposal facilities. PMC makes it a point to highlight and celebrate those who adopt innovative solutions and practices in SWM and sanitation, through awards and recognition. 
4. Public-private Partnership: Part of Pune’s success in waste management is its ability to persuade, and work with, private CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiatives such as the Adar Poonawalla Clean City Movement (APCCM) which pledged Rs100 crore to the city’s waste management efforts. The NEX project, including the land, is fully funded by APCCM; in addition, it has contributed to awareness building, welfare measures for grassroots workers and providing litterbins and mechanised cleaning at specific public spots. The model is working well so far; the process of recycling waste to recover energy is complete.

Read the full article @ Money Life

821 Premature Deaths Estimated for Hong Kong in the First Half of 2016

It is time the government adopted measures to prevent more premature deaths in our beloved city. The premature deaths data were collected by the Hedley Environmental Index, published by the School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong.

The Clean Air Network, a concerned green group in the city, said in mid-July that concentrations of nitrogen oxides in the air in the city have consistently surpassed maximum safe levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the last five years. In its mid-year review, Clean Air Network said the average roadside emissions of nitrogen oxides in the city's three business districts (Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok) were 2.5 times higher than WHO standards.

The Hedley Environmental Index estimated that a total of 23,378 doctors' visits at government clinics and hospitals were required due to pollution-related diseases on July 10, 2016, about three times the 7,735 visits recorded on July 15, 2015. Meanwhile, the visits cost the government HK$19.8 million on July 10 alone - up more than 200 percent from HK$6.13 million a year earlier, according to the Hedley index.

In short, it is imperative for the government to take swift and bold actions to control air pollution in the city and save precious lives. Curtailing the growth of the number of private cars is one aspect the government must consider implementing urgently. A cleaner city means happier and healthier people, which is conducive to higher productivity and economic output.

Read the full article @ China Daily

Bike Couriers Mapping Carbon Monoxide Pollution in London

A group of London bicycle couriers are to be equipped with portable carbon monoxide sensors under plans announced yesterday by Drayson Technologies to build "the world's most advanced air pollution map". The firm, founded by former Labour minister Lord Paul Drayson, has partnered with phone app courier company Gophr to deliver the project, which will see 50 couriers fitted with Drayson Technologies' CleanSpace Tags to monitor air pollution on their journeys across the capital.

As the bike couriers carry out their same-day deliveries, they are predicted to cover around 17,000 miles each month while collecting carbon monoxide data to help build a real-time map of London's air pollution levels, Drayson Technologies said. Couriers' journeys will be tracked via satellite using LoRa (long range) trackers developed by mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat to provide real-time location and height data to compliment the air pollution readings.

Read the full article @ the Business Green

For Public Transportation, Hanoi Wants to Ban Bikes by 2025

Vietnam’s government plans to rid the congested streets in downtown Hanoi of motorbikes by 2025 to make room for more buses and metro lines — but residents areless than open to the change.

There are currently around half a million cars and 5 million motorbikes on the Hanoi streets, and the government estimates that economic growth will increase those numbers to 1 million cars and 7 million motorbikes by 2020. The streets are already crowded, and air pollution is bad enough that the Real Time Air Quality Index classifies the city as “unhealthy.”

“The traffic situation in Hanoi will become extremely complicated in the next four to five years,” Hanoi City Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said at a public development meeting. “So we really need a timely solution to this.”



That solution includes building highway, bridges, tunnels, bus stations, along with doubling the number of buses and adding six new metro train lines by 2030. But it also includes banning motorbikes from the city center within ten years. In a city where less than 10 percent of residents use public transportation, the transition would be extreme.

In addition to not wanting to part with an integral mode of transportation, The Guardian reports that some see the move as unfair to those who cannot afford their own cars. Many are skeptical that the construction of the first two new metro lines will happen on schedule by 2020, since they have already faced delays.

Shipping Air Pollution Causes 24,000 Deaths a Year in East Asia

Ship traffic is often overlooked compared to smog-producing cars and factories, but it has more than doubled off east Asia since 2005.

A boom in shipping is aggravating air pollution in China and other nations in east Asia, causing thousands of deaths a year in a region with eight of the world’s 10 biggest container ports, scientists have said. Ship traffic, often overlooked compared to cars and factories that are far bigger causes of smog, has more than doubled off east Asia since 2005 and some pollution from the fuel oil of ships wafts inland, scientists said on Monday. The Chinese-led study estimated that sulphur dioxide, which generates acid rain, and other pollution from ships caused an estimated 24,000 premature deaths a year in east Asia, mainly from heart and lung diseases and cancer.

About three-quarters of deaths were in China, and others mainly in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea, according to the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change based on satellite data-tracking of almost 19,000 vessels. The death toll is a tiny though rising share of an estimated one million deaths caused annually by air pollution in east Asia, the study found. Given many uncertainties, the number of deaths could be as low as 14,500 or as high as 37,500, it said.

Read the full article @ the Guardian