07 June 2018 - 08 June 2018

The Real Urban Emissions Initiative City Symposium

Jens Borken-Kleefeld, senior researcher in the IIASA Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Program, will be keynote speaker at this event where he will present new ways to measure and handle vehicle pollutant emissions.

 © ssuaphotos | Shutterstock

© ssuaphotos | Shutterstock

Policies to address air pollution in cities are complicated by the fact that there is a huge difference between the tested and real-world values for vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) Initiative aims to improve urban air quality by raising awareness about the magnitude and scope of excess vehicle emissions. The initiative collects and publishes emissions data that is collected under real-world driving conditions, and supports cities to inform consumers and develop effective policies. 

The symposium will take place in London, UK, from 7 to 8 June 2018 and aims to bring together city government officials, and technical and policy experts focused on real-world vehicle emissions. Based on their discussions, a handful of cities will be selected to join the TRUE network and work with TRUE partners to use real-world emissions data to support public education and associated policy actions in their jurisdictions.  

“The prospect of simple and comprehensive vehicle emission measurements being conducted not only in Europe, but in cities around the world, where we know very little about traffic emissions, but have high pollution levels, is very exciting,” says Borken-Kleefeld.


RELATED

TRUE recently developed a rating system for vehicles based on real-world emissions of NOx measured for over 90% of passenger cars registered in Europe. The rating uses a simple green/yellow/red (good/moderate/poor) scheme. The results confirm that real-world NOx emissions from diesel cars are systemically much higher than permitted, and this holds true for even the newest (Euro 6) models.


“This analysis of Europe’s car models shows a depressingly clear picture: There is still a big discrepancy between legislative limits and real-world NOx emissions for diesel cars. When will compliance and thus respect for public health become normal again?” summarizes Borken-Kleefeld.


The ratings are accessible in an online database on the TRUE website.


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Last edited: 06 June 2018

CONTACT DETAILS

Jens Borken-Kleefeld

Senior Research Scholar Pollution Management Research Group - Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

The IIASA AIR program

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313