Published:
30 Apr 2008 - High concentrations of ozone
in Europe were lower during the summer of
2007 than any other year in the past decade,
according to the latest data unveiled by
the European Environment Agency's technical
report 'Air Pollution by Ozone across Europe'.
In contrast to the same season in 2006,
the threshold of 180 µg/m3 was not
exceeded in northern Europe he highest one-hour
ozone concentration of 479 µg/m3 was
observed in Sicily, Italy, followed by 363
µg/m3 in Romania. France, Greece,
Italy and Romania also reported high hourly
ozone concentrations at least six times
last summer.
Compared to the long-term
objective of protecting human health (maximum
ozone concentration of 120 µg/m3 over
8 hours), data for 2007 show that the thresholds
set by the Directive 2002/3/EC were generally
surpassed across Europe.
High concentrations
of ozone in the air pose risks to health,
by irritating breathing, reducing lung function
and triggering asthma. Ground-level ozone
is formed from pollutants emitted from vehicle
exhausts and industrial production and is
currently one of the air pollutants of most
concern in Europe.
+ More
Challenges ahead for
South-East Europe, the Caucasus and Central
Asia
Published: 24 Apr 2008
- A joint UNEP-EEA study of environmental
issues in the countries of South-East Europe
(SEE), Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and
Central Asia (EECCA) — now also available
in Russian — shows that the region is facing
many challenges in the wake of economic
growth. The report identifies several opportunities
to 'leapfrog' and avoid some of the environmental
problems experienced in western Europe.
The report by the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
the European Environment Agency (EEA) surveys
the progress of sustainable consumption
and production (SCP) in the 18 transition
countries of ex-Soviet Union and ex-Yugoslavia.
The study lists three
areas where both transition countries and
the EU could enhance cooperation: major
environmental problems, positive and negative
aspects of economic growth and opportunities
and obstacles for sustainability. The findings
of the report include many sensible — and
at times quite ambitious — policies and
political declarations that have been adopted.
Yet the problem is a lack of concrete action
and implementation.
There are, however,
pockets of change often at the local level.
18 city studies covering 13 countries reveal
local experience of implementing sustainable
programmes and initiatives. This includes
cleaner production, improved waste management,
energy efficiency projects in buildings
and district heating systems, use of cleaner
vehicles and fuels, investments in public
transport, and eco-technologies such as
solar and geothermal power for buildings.
The UNEP/EEA report
shows that there are many good reasons for
both the EU and its neighbours to the east
to become more actively involved in taking
on the sustainability challenges of the
transition economies.
About the report
The report provides detailed information
and a review of SCP initiatives in key production-consumption
areas — industry, food, buildings, transport,
and waste. The following countries are covered:
SEE: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,
FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia; and
EECCA: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of
Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
