REC: Reduction of SO2 and Particulate Emissions: Emission Reduction Measures (5.2)

5. Emission Reduction Measures (continued)

5.2. Air Pollution Reduction Targets

Workshop/Study

Questionnaire data was not extensive enough to provide specific information on the existing installations and the nature of flue gases in use in CEE. Evaluating the current status and defining targets for air pollution reduction is therefore somewhat difficult. Box 7 however, provides an overview of a separate study which examined the possible impacts of different cleaner production technologies on atmospheric pollution levels in the CEE region. In response, a more extensive assessment of those cleaning systems implemented in the SILAQ countries, which might include many more indicators and criteria such as a cost-benefit analysis is suggested. A study and workshop assessing flue gas cleaning systems could also be useful for authorities, decisionmaking experts and officials in evaluating the various options available for meeting future pollution reduction targets based on this assessment. Case studies for selected areas concerning the health status of individuals and environmental losses may give additional information and contribute to establishing targets and means for pollution reduction.

BOX 7: Investing in Pollution Control in Central and Eastern Europe

In 1990, the energy intensity of economies in Central and Eastern Europe was estimated to be some 3 times higher than that of Western Europe; emissions of NO_x and SO₂ were estimated to be more than 4 times higher, while particulate matter was considerably higher per unit of GDP.
Within the framework of the Environmental Action Plan for Central and Eastern Europe, a joint study was conducted by the World Bank, RIVM, and Resources for the Future, on the likely impacts of different levels of cleaner production technologies on atmospheric pollutant levels in the CEE region. Four scenarios were studied as follows:

Base case - only new installations are equipped with current Western European technologies;
Accelerated substitution - old as well as new installations are equipped with current Western European technologies by 2010 and fuel is switched from coal to gas;
BAT policy - old and new installations are equipped with the best available technologies (BAT). Only gas and non-fossil fuels are used.
Worst case - old equipment remains operational and no switch is made from coal to gas.
The results for SO₂ and particulate matter emissions are given below:

Percentage reduction from 1990 to 2010

Base case Accelerated substitution BAT policy Worst case

SO₂ 60 95 98 30

Particulate matter 55 97 99 35

The analysis shows that the retrofitting of old installations could reduce emissions to a level that is sufficient to meet most environmental quality goals and standards such as the WHO standard for particulate and sulfur or the acidification targets within the framework of UN ECE.
In the base case scenario, investments are assumed to be USD 175 billion per year. Accelerated substitution would bring sulfur dioxide emissions down to acceptable levels and would require an additional USD 50 billion per year, raising the total to USD 225 billion (60 percent in Eastern Europe, 15 percent in Central Europe and 25 percent in the Balkan region). However, the worst case pollution scenario from a human health point of view can be improved by addressing local sources of SO₂, with about 10 percent of the additional investment level (i.e. USD 5 billion per year). This would be an obvious starting point.

Source: RIVM, 1993. Scenarios for Economy and Environment in Central and Eastern Europe. Document prepared for the World Bank within the framework of the Environmental Action Plan for Central and Eastern Europe. National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Bilthoven, the Netherlands.

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