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Before policy and decision-makers develop strategies to reduce transport-related emissions they need to understand how and why people make transport choices and what influences the nature of the transport system. A framework is presented to elucidate these factors and used to examine the impact of different policy initiatives to reduce motor vehicle CO2 emissions. Socio-economic and cultural policy initiatives stand out as the most effective focus for reducing CO2 emissions. In contrast, more obvious initiatives rooted in improving fossil fuel technologies show considerably less effectiveness. Reducing future CO2 emissions from motor vehicles are likely to depend on a combination of decisions and actions from many levels of society, including understanding how different policy initiatives will impact different geopolitical sectors through to the advancement of alternative fuel technologies and transport. A more socio-economic focussed approach to policy design and implementation is regarded as integral to efforts to successfully reduce future CO2 emissions from motor vehicle transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a new air quality policy for environment protection. Relationship between air quality policy and emission control; Concept of environmental security; Emphasis on environmental policy in general and air quality policy.

The article reports that the decision of European Union to mandate all flights taking off from and landing in its territory to purchase carbon credits for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions may increase the carbon trading market. The decision would be applicable on all flights including non-European Union ones, as the purpose was a part of European Union Emission Trading Scheme. There is still no political decision concerning any form of transport to be included in carbon trading, except aviation.

The article reports on the development of the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) in Australia. During its meeting in June 2007, it accepted the Report on the Review of the National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure (NEPM) and its recommendations. It requested that a proposal for the scope, timeline and budget for varying the NEPM be prepared for its meeting in late 2007. If the council adopts the proposal, a formal process for varying a NEPM will begin seeking public comment on the draft variation. It notes that states and territory government will decide on how to manage emissions from diesel vehicles. The NEPM guidelines cover smoky vehicle programs, emission test and repair programs and audited maintenance.

The article reports on the information provided by the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) cooperative programme about substance emissions from industrial facilities and other diffuse sources in Australia. During the meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council in June 2007, it was agreed to vary the NPI National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) that will put into place a number of changes like the reporting of transfers of NPI substances in waste to final destination and new substances.

The article offers information on the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). European Union countries have agreed in 2004 to set up an internal market that will enable companies to trade carbon dioxide pollution permits to minimize the economic costs of Kyoto commitments on combating climate change. Under the EU-ETS, some 12,000 energy-intensive plants across the EU are able to buy and sell permits to emit carbon dioxide, covering about 40 percent of the EU's total carbon dioxide emissions.

The article offers information on the April 2007 training activities program update on environmental protection in New Zealand and Australia. The training courses being conducted in conjunction with the IUAPPA Congress include air pollution control, ambient air quality monitoring, indoor air, and hazardous air pollutants. A course on air pollution meteorology and ausplume is scheduled in Christchurch, New Zealand on May 17-18, 2007. A training course on industrial odor control is slated on February 27-28, 2007 in Fremantle, Western Australia.

The article reflects on the initiative of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) not to include greenhouse gases on its revised National Pollutant Inventory. The inclusion was proposed at the Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting, which was held on June. During the meeting, COAG agreed that the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) would not be used as a means for reporting greenhouse gas emissions and that no further research be undertaken by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council on incorporating greenhouse gas emission reporting in the NPI.

The article reports that companies in Victoria had achieved significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through the Environment Protection Authority's (EPA) main energy efficiency program for industry. The EPA scheme was Australia's first mandatory greenhouse program for industry and had proved highly successful in delivering economic and greenhouse benefits. More than $34 million per year will be save annually and decrease greenhouse pollution by 1.1 million tons per year when companies implement energy efficiency requirements.

The article focuses on the release of the 2nd report on greenhouse gas abatement in New South Wales. The Electricity Supply Act 1995 prescribes the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's functions as Compliance Regulator and Scheme Administrator for the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme. Minister for Utilities Carl Scully released the annual report on compliance and operation of the Scheme for 2004.

The article focuses on the efforts of nine U.S. states to cut emissions of power plants. Several public officials have reached into a preliminary agreement to freeze power plant emissions at their current levels and reduce them by 10% by 2020. The cooperative action came after the decision of the government not to regulate the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Significantly, the regional initiative would set up a market-driven system that would control emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, from various electric generators in the nine states. On the other hand, various city mayors have signed to meet the emissions reductions standards.

The article reports on the details of the key low emissions program announced in the Australian Government's Energy White Paper last year. The $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund (LETDF) is being established to stimulate greater investment in demonstrating low-emission technologies across the full spectrum of energy sources. Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Environment Minister Senator Ian Campbell announced draft guidelines for the fund will be publicly available and industry forums will be held for feedback before the guidelines are finalised. The fund is likely to drive total investment of more than $1.5 billion in cleaner technologies ranging from renewable energies to more conventional fuel sources. The LETDF key eligibility criterion is an ability to potentially deliver significant greenhouse abatement, with commercial uptake in the long-term. Funding assistance is available for up to 15 years. Australia's abundant reserves of fossil fuels and increasing energy use makes it imperative for Australia to investigate and implement technological solutions that reduce emissions from the energy sector.

Reports that theEuropean Commission has approved eight more national allocation plans for the European Union carbon dioxide emissions trading scheme.