ETC/ACM Report 3/2012: Analysis of co-benefits of air pollution, noise and climate change policies on a local scale

07 Jan 2013

Iulian Petchesi

The study examined a selection of international Megacity networks and national initiatives that have focused on climate change (CC), air quality policies (AP) or noise. Emission inventories or sustainable instruments at regional or urban level were used or developed by them.

The main aim of the project was to obtain a good understanding and overview of the results of studies. Another aim was to examine whether local GHG inventories are comparable, and if not, how greater comparability could be achieved. For the analysis a matrix was developed where key questions and information were aggregated. The information includes contact information, type of methodologies, information about emission inventories, sources and their public availability and policy support.

Main conclusion was that any of the presented projects considered the amount of noise produced as a co-benefit of CC/AP abatement strategies. Furthermore, most of the Megacity projects took into account CO2 only. Others cover the main greenhouse gases while other inventories cover only AP. A combination of main greenhouse gases and pollutants should be encouraged. Developed emissions inventories from city reporting should be improved and more comparable air quality measurements or local statistics for calculating emission inventories on local level should be promoted. Regarding the improvement of urban sustainable infrastructure cities need to take well-informed and effective decisions quickly. Greater compatibility of tools to create action plans would render it easier to compare results and thus facilitate this process.

Prepared by: Ulrike Düring (Öko-institut, DE).

Published by: ETC/ACM, December 2012, 60 pp.