York scientists aim to strengthen global anti-pollution efforts
Posted on 4 April 2006
The project, headed by the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University (SEIY), will set the basis for more effective measures to reduce emissions at national and regional level in developing countries.In partnership with the International Union of Air Pollution Prevention Associations, researchers will examine the way regional air pollution networks prepare emission inventories to develop a consensus on best practice. The £30,000 project is funded by the BOC Foundation and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Air pollutants ... don't recognise national boundaries, so regional coordination is clearly necessary
Dr Johan Kuylenstierna
The ultimate aim is to produce an international framework for compiling trans-boundary registers on emissions to help the global battle against air pollution. While the work will be of particular benefit for air quality in Africa, Asia and Latin America, there will also be benefits for the UK and Europe.
Dr Johan Kuylenstierna, of the SEIY, said "Air pollutants, which can cause problems such as acidic deposition, crop yield reduction and human health impacts, don't recognise national boundaries, so regional coordination is clearly necessary.
"But progress has been limited by weaknesses in compiling emission inventories which provide the essential building blocks for effective air quality management. Without detailed and reliable emission inventories, there is little opportunity to develop strategic plans of how to deal with air pollution problems at international, national and local levels."
The nine-month project will involve collaboration with emissions inventory experts from Europe (the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research, CICERO) and from regional networks in southern Africa, Northeast Asia, South Asia and Latin America.
Notes to editors:
- The Stockholm Environment Institute at York (SEI-Y) is one of the constituent centres of the Stockholm Environment Institute, an independent, international research organisation committed to the implementation of practices supportive of global sustainable development. SEI conducts a comprehensive research, consulting and training programme which focuses on the links between the ecological, social and economic systems at global, regional and national and local levels. SEI-Y was established in 1989 at the University of York. The centre has 22 core members of staff including four professorial research leaders.
- The BOC Group established the BOC Foundation in 1990. Since then it has funded over 100 environmental projects in the UK and invested with its partners over £10 million. The BOC Foundation has supported projects proposing practical solutions to environmental problems. BOC remains committed to these aims and intends to increase the proportion of its environmental spending that goes in direct support of selected projects. Whereas the BOC Foundation's funding has been spread across a wide range of environmental projects, BOC environment grants in the future will concentrate on projects that improve air and water quality. (www.boc.com/foundation/)
- The mission of the US Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. US EPA grants to States, non-profit making organisations and educational institutions support high-quality research that will improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its goals.