Atmospheric and Energy Legislation Flashcards
What are 3 aspects of Atmospheric pollution problems?
Trans-boundary
High pollution potential
Linked to economic development e.g. transport emissions of NOx, respiratory problems, global CC, emissions to atmosphere, coal/gas power plants
no single approach
What are some atmospheric legislative control issues?
Need scientific consensus to ensure cooperative approach across the world
Hard to identify, monitor and control pollution sources
Controls conflict with basic human needs such as agriculture CH4 emissions
Economic development is linked to atmos emissions (FF based economy)
Give 2 Atmospheric Issues
Nuisance Acid rain Climate change Ozone depletion Human health Industrial pollution
What is in the Kyoto basket?
carbon dioxide (CO2)
methane (CH4)
nitrous oxide (N2O)
F-gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, nitrogen triflouride (NF3) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)).
When was Nitrogen triflouride (NF3) added to the Kyoto basket?
2012 in the Doha amendment
Global warming potential of 17,200 (x more potent than Co2)
SF5CF3 18000 GWP
Describe the landmark case, Trail smelter case 1941
Zinc and lead smelter along the columbia river by a canadian mining company, sulfur dioxide emissions from 400ft chimneys directly impacted crops trees pastures in the state of washington
International Joint Commission awarded $428,000 compensation and imposed emission limits and monitoring requirements
needed to define clear and convincing evidence that there had been serious consequence or injury as a result of the emissions
Issue: it lead to compensation rather than preventing pollution
What were the key points of the UN Geneva Convention on the Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution 1979?
framework for protocols setting emission levels for acid pollutants
restricted production of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides
needed to reduce pollutants using BATNEEC
When was the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change?
1992
The Montreal Protocol was 1987, which convention was 1985?
The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer 1985
Which SDG is most relevant to Atmospheric legislation?
SDG 7 Clean and affordable energy
Are there any SDGs that dont link to atmospheric legislation?
No
What is the focus of European Atmospheric legislation?
Air Quality
e.g. sulphur, lead
Which EU Regulation came into force in 2009?
EU Regulation on Ozone depleting substances 2009
Which EU Regulation came into force in 2014?
EU regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases
Which EU Directive came into force in 2008?
EU Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for europe
Name 2 historic and increasing challenges of atmospheric legislation.
energy supply and consumption road vehicle transport (friction-less movement across EU) marine transport aviation climate change
Why was the EU slow to recognise international air pollution?
Because it was built on economic development and neoliberal basis
What approach did the UK legislation have to atmospheric legislation historically?
When did this change?
reactive approach, was not integrated
Environment Act 1995, first properly strategic, integrated approach, national air quality strategy
What year was the clean air act?
1956, as a result of the London smog 4000 people died (reactive)
What year was the Environmental Protection Act and what did it do?
1990
Control of air pollution
What year was the pollution prevention and control act?
1999
What did the Environment Act require local authorities to establish?
Air Quality Management Areas
How many air quality management areas are there in Southampton?
2 e.g’s
10
Winchester Road AQMA 3
Bevois Valley AQMA 1
Why does Southampton now have a Clean Air Strategy 2019-2025?
It is one of the 5 priority air quality cities in the UK
What were some of the discussions around improving the air quality in Southampton?
Diesel free cars
Car free zones
Reducing cruise ships in the docks
Make the whole area a clean air zone
Strong resistance to banning vehicles
Which UK regulations came into effect in 2010?
Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010
Why has the European Commission launched legal proceeding against the UK on a number of occasions?
Failing to meet the NOx limits in breach of the Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (2008)
16 different zones are in breach, EU standards were supposed to be met by 2010
Published air quality plans predict standards will not be met until 2020-2030
Plans have been sent back by EU as wholly inefficient
Name 2 original targets of the Climate Change Act 2008
80% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050 against 1990 levels, 3% reduction annually
34% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2020 against 1990 levels
–reportedly 42% reduction by 2016-2019 on a production based model
What is the UKs current target for GHG emissions?
Net zero by 2050
Inc offsetting
Which other strategy is the net zero target linked to?
2019 UK Industry Strategy
Which amendment made the net zero target?
Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 target amendment) order 2019
What is a Directive for energy legislation?
Directive on the Eco-design requirements for energy using products 2005
2 examples of UK Energy legislation
Building Regulations 2010 (amended 2012, 2013)
Energy Information and Energy Efficiency (miscellaneous amendments) regulations 2001
Summarise the Planning Act 2008
streamlined the planning process for nationally significant infrastructure project which would deliver on energy savings
in tandem with the climate change act
What did the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Act require?
Energy Performance Certificate to be displayed to prospective buyers, and in commercial buildings displayed prominently
What did the Energy Act 2013 do?
Decarbonisation in connection with reforming the energy market, encouraging low carbon energy generation or ensuring security of suppy
What were the ESOS Regulations 2014 (Energy Saving Oppurtunity Scheme)
required ‘large undertakings’ to carry out energy audits and identify energy saving measures
What was the UK renewable energy target made in 2015? When was it reached?
What is it now?
15% of UK energy production to be from renewable energy sources by 2020
2013
35.5% in second quarter of 2019
Which fuel source gives the greatest proportion of Uk renewable energy?
Onshore wind
Name 2 regulators for energy legislation
EA
Local Authorities
Ofgem
Defra
