Air pollution and climate change have co-benefits in the road transport sector in Durban, South Africa. Air quality and co-benefits of climate change for the industrial sector in Durban, South Africa.
Introduction
Therefore, there appear to be synergies for the integrated management of air quality concerns and climate change. The integration of air quality and climate change policies may ultimately occur in one of two ways.
Integrating climate change considerations into air quality policy in South Africa
Statement of purpose
What are the recommendations for integrating climate change considerations into local AQMPs in South Africa? Development of key recommendations to facilitate the incorporation of climate change considerations into local AQMPs.
Expected relevance of this study
What are the key recommendations for mainstreaming climate change in the Durban AQMP. Conduct a literature review to understand the scientific connections between air quality and climate change issues.
Outline of thesis
Contribution of Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC LINKAGES AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY WITH IMPACTS ON AIR.
Introduction
In recent years there has been considerable progress in our scientific understanding of the links and interactions between climate change and air quality. Improved understanding of the relationship between air quality and climate change provides a scientific basis for policy interventions.
Scientific linkages between air quality and climate change
Tropospheric O 3
- Climate change impacts on tropospheric O 3 photochemistry
- Climate change impacts on transport processes
One of the most important reactions contributing to changes in O3 is the temperature-dependent decomposition rate of peroxaacetyl nitrate (PAN) (Dawson et al., 2007). Convection is an effective mechanism for removing pollution from the lower troposphere to the middle and upper troposphere (Collins et al., 2003).
Tropospheric O 3 precursor gases
- NMVOCs
However, this would also mean the injection of NOx into the upper troposphere, where there is greater O3 production efficiency (Denman et al., 2007). A warmer climate is expected to be conducive to increased lightning, which can have a large effect on O3 in the upper troposphere (Denman et al., 2007).
Particulate matter
However, according to Jacob and Winner (2009), correlations of PM with meteorology are not as strong as those observed with O3, making the assessment of the impact of climate change on aerosols more difficult to predict. Since the extent of the influence of climate change on these factors is not yet precisely known, these projections of PM2.5 cannot be accepted with great certainty.
Implications of the scientific linkages and interactions for climate change and air quality policies
Studies that modeled the impact of climate change on PM2.5 indicated PM2.5 decreases associated with increases in precipitation, and variable PM2.5 responses to changes in the different component species of PM2.5 (Avise et al. , 2009; Hogrefeet al., 2009; Tagariset al., 2008). First, AQM processes generally do not consider GHG mitigation or the climate change implications of air pollution control.
Air quality policy and climate change in South Africa
South Africa has thus made progress in seeking the most appropriate methods to improve air quality in the country. AQMPs prescribe the processes that must be implemented to ensure air quality improvements in the specific area.
Conclusion
Impact of climate change on surface O3 and deposition of sulfur and nitrogen in Europe. Atmospheric environment. The role of climate change and emissions changes in future air quality over southern Canada and northern Mexico. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Impact of climate change on tropospheric ozone and its global budgets. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
Introduction
The contribution of the road transport sector to air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions is a growing concern in developing countries. Surprisingly, little emphasis has been placed on research into co-benefits for the road transport sector in Africa. The aim of this chapter is to determine the contribution of the road transport sector to greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions in Durban and to explore options for joint control of emissions.
Overview of legislation and policies addressing road transportation emissions in South Africa
Case study of Durban
Methodology
- Emission factors and the COPERT model
- Activity data inputs
These emission factors were calculated for diesel (light and heavy duty vehicles) and petrol (passenger and light commercial vehicles for non-catalytic and catalytic) motor vehicles for coastal and inland elevated conditions in South Africa. Due to the limitations of existing South African emission factors and the average age of motor vehicles in the country, the COPERT emission factors and the COPERT model were considered appropriate for the purposes of this study. This requires annual fuel consumption, fuel consumption factors and the age of motor vehicles.
Road transport emissions inventory for 2008
- Comparison of 2008 emission inventory compiled for this study with other emission inventories
The relatively higher emission estimates for PM10 and NOx found in this study can be attributed to an increase in vehicle activity and fleet changes over time. The CO estimates from the KZN-DAEA inventory (2007) are significantly higher than those from other studies and can be explained by the use of emission factors developed in 1995 during the Cape Town brown haze study, which sampled older vehicles , while Scorgiete already. . 2004) used the emission factors developed by Wong and Dutkiewicz (1998) and Stone (2000), which, as described earlier, are comparable to the COPERT emission factors used in this study. The inventory developed in this study appears to be representative of Durban's air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and is therefore considered suitable to use as a basis for understanding the potential for co-benefits that may exist based on the current characteristics of the motor park. and fuel consumption.
Options for reducing road transport emissions
Passenger motor vehicle fleet
- Petrol motor vehicles
- Diesel motor vehicles
- Fuel switching
- Reducing vehicle kilometres travelled
Due to the age of the gasoline-powered passenger cars in the municipality, the majority of the gasoline-powered cars are not equipped with pollution-limiting technologies and are therefore a source of high air pollutant emissions as shown in table 3.3 above. Renewal of the oldest passenger motor vehicles in the fleet with newer motor vehicles of advanced vehicle technology is an opportunity to reduce air pollution. The introduction of biodiesel in South Africa has been slow, and due to the lower number of diesel vehicles in the passenger fleet, the switch to biodiesel (Table 3.5) may not contribute significantly to emission reductions.
Heavy-duty vehicles
The Port of Durban handles more than 60% of all containers arriving at the country's ports (Smit, 2009). In the long term, it has been suggested that greater use of the rail system, operated with renewable energy, may be a viable option to reduce the many negative impacts associated with road freight transport (SA-ASPO, 2008). . However, in the short to medium term, efforts should be made to reduce inefficiencies in the current road freight transport system through a move towards road freight traffic management (Hull et al., 2008).
Discussion and concluding remarks
Specifically, the development of emission factors, availability of mileage data and improved characterization of the motor vehicle fleet is needed. Proceedings of the National Clean Air Association Conference, October 14-16, 2009, Emerald Casino, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. Globalization of the automobile industry in China: dynamics and obstacles in greening road transport. Energy Policy.
AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE CO-BENEFITS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
Introduction
In section 4.3, the case study of the industrial sector in Durban is presented, highlighting the implications of separate air quality and energy saving interventions. In Section 4.4, the experiences of AQM and energy strategies are used to highlight recommendations for how future air quality targets should be approached. The role that industries can play in the selection of intervention measures with co-benefits for mitigating climate change is presented in Section 4.5, followed by concluding remarks in Section 4.6.
Air quality and climate change policies in South Africa
The AQA specifies that the best practicable environmental option that can prevent, control, reduce or mitigate pollution and protect society and air quality from harm should be implemented (DEAT, 2004). AELs are used as a means to regulate and ensure compliance with national minimum emission standards for air pollution. Minimum emission standards have been included for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM).
Case study of the industrial sector in Durban
- Emissions inventory for the industrial sector in Durban
- Air pollution interventions
- Change in fuel type at petroleum refineries
- Change in sulphur content of coal and the installation of emission control devices at other industries
- Impact of energy consumption on air pollutant and GHG emissions
- Electricity-saving measures
- Improving the efficiency of combustion systems
- Summary of the impacts of air quality and energy policies implemented by industries
Air pollution control measures are typically implemented, either through a change in the industrial process, a change in fuel, or the installation of emission control equipment (Boubelet al., 1994). The petroleum refining industry in the South Durban Industrial Basin (SDIB) switched from using predominantly heavy fuel oil (HFO) in heaters and boilers to using refinery gas and MRG and was thus able to reduce their respective SO2 emissions from fuel combustion sources from over 40 tonnes per year. day to less than 2 tonnes per day (Engen, 2009; SAPREF, 2009). No specific measures have been documented by industries in the SDIB to offset the increase in energy consumption due to the installation of these pollution control devices.
The role of legislation in promoting co-benefits and the potential impact of future air pollution control on climate change
- New emission standards under the AQA
- Clean fuels programme in South Africa
Although closely related, air quality and energy policy in the city are implemented independently, without considering trade-offs or synergies for climate change or air pollution, respectively. In light of the new emission standards, future projects to reduce emissions by industries in the city are likely to focus on NOx and PM emissions. To meet these new fuel specifications, capital and operating costs at the city's oil refineries would be expected to increase.
Combining energy policies and air quality interventions to support a low-carbon society
An energy loss management system could, for example, implemented to ensure that industry is fully aware of the options available within the facility to offset the effects of its air quality measures. However, if industry wants to maximize any synergies and make the most of opportunities to simultaneously reduce its carbon footprint through its air quality initiatives, it will need to consider the impact of the intervention on the targeted pollutants and other atmospheric emissions, and the overall impact for climate change (Fig. 4.3). When selecting an intervention measure to meet air quality objectives, criteria must be in place to ensure that the complex climate change linkages and interactions that exist between these two issues are taken into account.
Discussion and concluding remarks
The relationship between air quality and climate change provides a scientific basis for developing integrated policies. Local governments in developing countries are expected to reap significant benefits from incorporating climate change concerns into air quality policies. In Africa, South Africa is also one of the few countries on the continent to have developed robust air quality legislation.
Introduction
South African municipalities or local governments are required to develop and implement air quality plans (AQMPS), which provide opportunities to integrate climate change considerations. However, AQA does not provide guidance for integrating climate change into local AQMPs. The extent to which the City currently incorporates climate change into its existing AQMP, and the opportunities for improved integration of these two topics, are presented in Section 5.2 of this chapter.
Case study of Durban
- Background to air quality and climate change issues
- Air pollution
- Climate change
- Climate change considerations and the AQMP
- Atmospheric emission reductions
- Air quality and climate change feedbacks
- Climate change impacts on air quality
- Summary of case study
In the case of Durban, climate change and air quality issues are treated separately. The impact on greenhouse gas emissions was not quantified or considered in the decision to implement these air quality control measures. In the long term, the effects of climate change on meteorological factors affecting air quality must also be taken into account.
Key recommendations for the inclusion of climate change consideration into local AQMPs
- Short-to medium-term climate change concerns in AQMPs
- Long-term climate change concerns in AQMPs
In the short- to medium-term, the challenge is to ensure that air quality interventions that do not have a negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions are treated as a priority. However, existing air quality legislation has a limited role in ensuring that air quality interventions are prioritized to have co-benefits or at least result in minimal increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Existing air quality legislation has a limited role in ensuring that interventions with co-benefits are prioritized.
Concluding remarks
Specifically, in the short to medium term, climate change mitigation considerations should be integrated into existing air quality policies and legislation to facilitate effective joint management of the issues. A review of scientific links and interactions between climate change and air quality with implications for air quality management in South Africa. 2010b) Co-benefits of air quality and climate change for the industrial sector in Durban, South Africa.
CONCLUSION
Introduction
Summary of study
In the case of the road transport sector, the opportunities for additional benefits are potentially much greater, but there may be difficulties in achieving them. An important first step in this process is the development of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions inventories to guide the conceptualization of opportunities for co-benefits. In the long term, a co-benefits approach to AQMP alone cannot be expected to achieve GHG reduction targets.
Recommendations for future work
- Research needs
- GHG mitigation co-benefits for air quality
- Reporting on GHG emissions
- Development of an improved understanding of air quality and climate change atmospheric interactions within a South African context
- Building local capacity in AQM and climate change
However, the impact of air quality interventions on greenhouse gas emissions is currently not a requirement in AELs. The country's upcoming climate change mitigation policies have the potential to deliver substantial air quality benefits. To determine the effects of climate change on air quality, both air quality and climate models must be linked.
