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The city of Rotorua, in the centre of the North Island, New Zealand, experiences elevated particulate concentrations during the winter months, and the ambient standard of 50 μg m-3 (24-h average) is regularly exceeded in some locations. This paper describes the ambient monitoring program, the results of a home heating survey, and the preparation of an emissions inventory for the Rotorua airshed. PM10 levels are greatest during the winter months, with levels of up to 116 μg m-3 being recorded at a 'worst-case' location. Domestic heating emissions are a significant contributor to PM10 levels, as indicated by the seasonal and diurnal variations. The home heating survey found that 50% of households used some form of solid-fuel heating, while the emissions inventory shows a more than 60% contribution, overall, from domestic heating emissions during the winter months. The key output from this work was the emission data for all source categories, based on a 250m by 250m grid across the whole of the Rotorua urban area. This was used as a primary input to a dispersion modelling study, as described in Part 2 of this paper, the results from which are being used in the development of an action plan to achieve compliance with the national standard for PM10 by 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 on the effort of the U.S. and Australian governments to review their ozone standards. According to the author, Australia is reviewing its Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure (NEPMAAQ) while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also reviewing its National Ambient Air Quality Standards which involves ground level ozone limits. Based on the reviews, ground level ozone is pollutant in Australia's capital cities particularly in Sydney while EPA is proposing to decrease the ozone ambient standard.

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.

Discusses trends which will the air quality and environment. Effects of global warming; Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol; Energy demands; Hydrogen economy.

The article elaborates an environmental survey relate to environmental issues in Europe. It reveals that Europeans are concerned on five issues including climate change, water and air pollution, manmade disasters and the use of chemicals in everyday products. Result reveals that 58% of respondents are uneasy about the use of genetically-modified organisms (GMO) in agriculture while 21% are in favour of its use. About three quarters of Europeans expressed their willingness to buy environmentally-friendly products. Majority of them believed that men's efforts in protecting the environment is not a hindrance to economic performance.

The article presents developments related to the Queensland branch of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand. Kelsey Bawden, of Pacific Air and Environment presented a seminar on proposed changes to the National Pollutant Inventory. The topics of the seminar include revisions to the substance list, reporting thresholds and inclusion of greenhouse emissions. The planning for the 2007 International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA), which will be held in Brisbane, Queensland has taken up a lot of time for Branch Committee members.

The article reports on the announcement made by New South Wales Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal on June 16, 2006 about the government's air quality improvement plan for the M5 East Tunnel. This includes video identification of pollution-causing heavy vehicles, increased ventilation flows with an extra 12 fans and a trial of filtration technology. The plan is a result of Roozendaal's request to the Regional Transportation Authority to advise on technology for improving air quality and to reflect on the causes of haze in the M5 East Tunnel.

The article focuses on the decision of David Parker, the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues, not to proceed with its proposed carbon tax in New Zealand. The decision not to implement the carbon tax follows a whole of government review of climate policy. The review also focuses on forestry, land use, and agriculture policies that need refinement to ensure they cut emissions. The agriculture sector, which accounts about 50% of the emissions, would be protected from any broad-based price measure.

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

Highlights the International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environment Protection Associations Congress in London, England, on August 1, 2004. Number of delegates; Discussions on political and societal issues about air quality; Need for collaboration between countries to improve and maintain air quality.

focuses on developments in environmental protection in New Zealand as of November 2004. Progress of the government's investigation into vehicle emissions standards; Development of a guideline for assessing air quality effects from roads; Ministry for the Environment's release of national environmental standards for key priority contaminants and prohibitive standards for certain activities; Decision of Meridian Energy to abandon the development of a hydropower scheme on the South Island's Waikati River.

Reports on news and developments concerning the air quality and environment in New Zealand. New Zealand's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol; Study to determine health effects of air pollution; Changes at the senior level in the Ministry for the Environment.