In 2003, the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities organized the Dialogue for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Asia with support from the Asian Development Bank and which led to the Singapore Statement supported by 12 major international and local oil companies. This has led to the development of the Roadmap for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Asia launched in 2008 supported by the Health Effects Institute, Shell, US EPA and other stakeholders.
CAI-Asia has subsequently worked with the UNEP Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles in further discussions and dialogues in Asian countries to promote the development and strengthening of their vehicle emissions and fuel quality roadmaps, particularly in Pakistan, Philippines and Vietnam. Despite the current literature and studies available there are still various issues and questions raised by policymakers and stakeholders in moving towards cleaner fuels and vehicles. As such, together with the UNEP Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles, we are preparing a research document that will provide science-based responses and counter-arguments to issues raised by industries and other stakeholders regarding cleaner fuels and vehicles so that policy makers are provided with clear, updated and accurate information.
You will find the Top 10 Questions that we seek to answer below. We invite all experts and stakeholders in the community to please give feedback on these Top 10 Questions by end of November. We hope to generate discussions and to get leads on new studies that are able to answer these questions.
Top Ten Questions on Fuel Quality and Vehicle Emissions Standards
1. What are the impacts of diesel fuel parameters on vehicle emissions, air quality and health?
2. What are the impacts of gasoline fuel parameters on vehicle emissions, air quality and health?
3. What are other implications on vehicle performance and fuel efficiency when moving to lower sulfur fuel?
4. Other than lowering sulfur levels and removing lead, which other fuel parameters should be prioritized? How about biofuels, how does this affect cleaner fuels?
5. What are the implications of imposing selected (versus all) Euro 4 fuel parameters to meet air quality objectives? How did other countries prioritize which parameters to impose?
6. What are the economic implications of mandating cleaner fuels (Euro 4 and above), such as increase in costs of fuel, lower health costs etc?
7. What is the status and outlook of supply or availability of cleaner fuels (Euro 4)?
8. What effective taxation policies and incentives can drive the market to produce and purchase cleaner fuels and vehicles?
9. What are the best available tail-pipe technologies to reduce vehicle emissions?
10. While developing countries can refer to results of studies done in developed countries, what kind of studies must be done in-country to provide a basis for the decision to move to cleaner fuels and vehicles?
Thank you very much and we look forward to your inputs.
