Tag: Pollutants

Low emission zone in Wallonia overturned: Major cities targeted, introduction postponed to 2025

Wallonia, known for its picturesque landscapes and charming towns, has decided to introduce a controversial low emission zone in 2022. The previous Walloon government had drawn up a plan to gradually ban the most polluting vehicles from the roads. This measure triggered fierce debate and unrest. However, the current Environment Minister Céline Tellier (Ecolo) appears to be overturning these plans.

Electric cars and particulate matter: how do they go together?

Air pollution has been with us since the beginning of industrialisation. It is omnipresent, especially in cities. However, with technological progress and the relocation of factories away from city centres, air quality has improved in most wealthy countries. A major source of air pollution, the internal combustion engine, seems to be slowly being replaced by electric cars. But are electric cars really the environmentally friendly alternative they appear to be?

Water shortages and the emergence of new environmental zones - climate change and its impact on soil moisture

The climate crisis, one of the greatest challenges of our time, is becoming ever more tangible and its effects ever more evident. Paradoxically, one of the main causes of the alarming rise in CO2 emissions is the lack of water. This leads to dry soil, which in turn produces more particulate matter and favours the creation of new environmental zones.

New EU air quality regulations: Hundreds of new low emission zones and driving bans possible

In its constant endeavour to protect the health of its citizens and the environment, the European Union has introduced a new set of air quality regulations. Following intensive negotiations between the European Parliament and representatives of the Member States, an agreement has been reached: The limit values for various air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, are to be significantly reduced by 2030. This reform has far-reaching implications for low emission zones in Europe.

Smog alert in northern Italy: driving bans for Milan and neighbouring provinces

High levels of particulate matter, poor air quality and tough measures: Milan and eight other provinces in northern Italy's Lombardy region are currently struggling with severe air pollution. In response to the alarming environmental situation, the authorities have adopted a series of restrictive measures. These affect not only citizens, but also motorists.

Technology battle against CO2 and climate change

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. With record temperatures and CO2 emissions in 2023, the 1.5-degree climate target seems to be receding ever further into the distance. In this situation, carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) is increasingly coming into focus. This is a technology for capturing and storing CO2 underground, which was a rather theoretical option for a long time, but is now becoming increasingly important due to the pressure to act to save the climate.