ON IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES AT THE MEGA-CITY AND NATIONAL SCALES AND THE NEED FOR MULTILATERAL COOPERATION ON AIR POLLUTION

Abstract:

There are co-benefits as well as counter-benefits connected to programmes for mitigation of air pollution and greenhouse gases. Structural measures and technical measures for stationary and mobile sources may increase emissions of one category of pollutants while reducing those of the other category. Some substances influence both processes. Integrated programmes, will, ideally, be designed so as to reap maximum benefits for both sectors. Lessons and proposals from the United Kingdom demonstrate the potential for long-term synergy gains with such programmes and the city of London offers an example for other mega-cities worldwide. Urban and national programmes are seen as important components of actions to be accommodated within multilateral agreements on air pollution, whether regional or global in scope. Initiatives for such agreements are now being introduced also beyond the UNECE region in various sub-regions of the world, not least in Asia.