What are prospects in reducing emissions of PM across Europe?

Key messages

(05 Jul 2010)

In OECD-Europe countries efforts have been underway for decades to reduce particulates (PM-10). Progress in reducing total PM-10 has been slower. Emissions per vehicle kilometer for light-duty vehicles have been substantially reduced. But growth in transport activity and problems in controlling in-use emissions have tended to offset some of the hoped-for improvements.

The situation regarding primary particulates in the countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia and South Eastern Europe, especially in rapidly-growing urbanized areas, is somewhat different. PM is expected not to be reduced as easily or as quickly. It is expected that total PM emissions will increase certainly for the next few decades and perhaps longer, before eventually declining.

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