Economic Restructuring in Eastern Europe and Acid Rain Abatement Strategies

Acid rain abatement strategies in Europe are currently being discussed in view of the expiration of the Helsinki Protocol on SO2 emission reduction. The changing energy situation in Eastern European countries is expected to have an influence on the deposition pattern in Europe. This report presents a consistent energy scenario for Eastern European countries and compares optimal strategies to reduce SO2 emissions. These strategies are based on runs with the RAINS model in which environmental targets have been set based on critical loads for sulphur. The analysis shows that economic restructuring and efficiency improvements in Eastern European countries, as well as in Western Europe, may result in significantly lower sulphur abatement costs. Potential assistance to Eastern Europe to guarantee desired environmental standards in Western countries should therefore focus not only on providing emission control devices but also on the success of the economic transition process.