This paper attempts to assess the magnitude and scope of automotive pollutant emissions in developing countries and their role in global warming, regional scale air pollution and urban air quality. Greenhouse-gas emissions (CO2 and CFCs) from motor vehicles in developing countries contribute less than 3% to the global greenhouse effect, compared to a 9 to 12% contribution from motor vehicles in OECD countries and Eastern Europe. The share of OECD countries in conventional pollutant emissions from motor vehicles exceeds the combined contribution of all developing countries by a factor of three to five. Acid deposition from motor vehicle emissions does not currently appear to be a problem in developing countries. The incidence of regional scale ozone is not known but could be potentially significant downstream from large urban centers. There is a need for more systematic monitoring and evaluation of acid deposition and regional ozone concentrations in developing countries. Urban air quality is the prime casualty of motorization in developing countries. The air pollution problem will intensify in developing countries with increasing urbanization and the rapid pace of motorization. Urban concentrations of carbon monoxide, airborne lead, particulate matter and sulfur oxides in many developing countries already exceed the levels in industrialized countries. Motor vehicles emit 30% to 85% of all man-made air pollutants in the large urban areas in developing countries, depending on the level of motorization. Without effective measures to control pollutant emissions, some 300 to 500 million city dwellers in developing countries will become exposed to unhealthy and dangerous levels of air pollution from motor vehicles by the year 2000.

Automotive emissions in developing countries-relative implications for global warming, acidification and urban air quality

The objective of this handbook is to provide a description of practical methods for designing and executing effective environmental assessments (EAs) to those who are involved in various aspects of road projects, from planning to construction to maintenance. This handbook consists of two parts. Part I provides an overview of the EA process in the context of road planning and construction and also describes the detailed methodological steps of the EA process. Part II provides a more detailed, in-depth discussion of each of the major factors involved in environmental assessment of road projects, including impact mitigation. Each chapter covers one component of the environment and provides a description of possible impacts, the nature and scale of the impacts, and some practical information on common mitigation options. This is followed in each chapter by a checklist which suggests common ways of minimizing the impacts on the component. Each chapter ends with a list of information sources.

Roads and the environment : a handbook

Planet Earth and automobiles, with special reference to the Indian automobile industry

In the last few decades car ownershp worldwide has grown at an unprecedented rate. The consequences for urban congestion, global pollution, and depletion of non-renewable energy sources and other environmental impacts could be catastrophic if this trend continues unabated. In developing countries this is exacerbated by many factors including poor traffic management and maintenance of roads and vehicles. Several options for improving environmental conditions exist, among which is the introduction or improvement of mass transit systems. They are generally more efficient than motor cars in terms of energy expended per passenger kilometre and can do much to alleviate city centre congestion. The presentation outlines the contribution that transport makes to the world's environmental problems. It then comments on the policy options available to improve transport efficiency, with particular reference to mass transit improvements, which are discussed in relation to key environmental issues. These include not only pollution and other physical impacts directly affecting human wellbeing, natural ecosystems and global climate, but also socio-economic and urban infrastructure characteristics of less developed countries. (A)

A Faiz

Papers

Automotive air pollution: an overview