Reducing carbon monoxide emissions

Context

The few rich countries account for the majority of carbon monoxide emissions, which help cause acid rain and oxidant smog. As the poorer countries industrialize these problems may increase significantly. Reducing its emission requires cross-sectoral action, as well as improving and making available environmentally friendly technologies.

Implementation

Motor vehicles are major sources of carbon monoxide. Pollution levels "per vehicle" have curbed and become less polluting as a result of incorporating increasingly energy efficient engines and catalytic converters.

UK carbon monoxide emissions fell to 4.6 million tonnes in 1996, 6 per cent lower than in 1995 and 34 per cent lower than in 1989. Road transport accounted for 71 per cent of emissions in 1996, and emissions from this source have fallen by 34 per cent since 1989, mainly as a result of the introduction of catalytic converters in cars. Exceedences of the UK standard for carbon monoxide, of 10 ppm measured as a running 8 hour mean, were reported at one of these monitoring sites, Exeter Roadside, on one day in 1996.

Claim

The notion of national emissions caps cannot be sustained in a world of diverse experience, especially with regard to population growth rates. One solution would be to move from national emission caps to per capita emission limits. This would eliminate the disadvantage of the USA and other countries that open their borders to immigrants. On the other hand, it could open Pandora's box on another front - the risk of encouraging population growth.