China: Beijing pollution reduction measures

Beijing municipal government mandated that city vehicles convert to liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas. By 2002, Beijing had the largest fleet of natural gas buses in the world - a total of 1,630 vehicles. Subway and light rail systems in Beijing also are being expanded.

Date Implemented: 1999

Status: In Force; Mandatory

China: 10th Five Year Plan

The 10th Five-Year Plan continues to elaborate goals for the sustainable economic and social development of China.  Energy related objectives focus on the development of clean-burning, substitution and efficient technologies.  It elaborates certain means, including clean fuels demonstration projects, implementing energy efficiency standards and a labeling/identification system, formulating efficiency incentives, and introducing ‘Energy Conservation Publicity Week’

China: Air Cleaning Program – Clean Automobile Action

To promote clean automobiles

Milestones: By the end of 2003, 16 demonstration sites for clean automobiles had been set up

References: Executive Summary of the National Communication to the UNFCCC

China: White Paper on China’s Population, Environment and Development in the 21st Century- Program of Action for Sustainable Development

Provides general platform/guidelines for China’s social and economic development. Elaborates goals and objectives. Advocates a new, sustainable pattern of low consumption, low pollution and high efficiency to achieve well-balanced growth.

Date Implemented: 2003

Status: In Force; Framework Policy

Argentina: Biofuels Act 26,093

The Act mandates the use of at least a 5% bio-ethanol or bio-diesel mix in the gasoline and diesel distributed in Argentina. In addition, the above act establishes the mandatory use of biofuels in a percentage to be determined by governmental entities and anticipates an increase in the above mentioned 5% rate in the future. Accordingly, the Biofuels Act has secured a market for the domestic supply of grain-based fuels. Mandatory fuel mixture shall only come in force in 2010.

Argentina: Resolución 1237/02 Apruébanse los procedimientos de ensayo y límites máximos para los distintos contaminantes, en relación con la aprobación de emisiones gaseosas y sus extensiones, para motores del ciclo Otto, alimentados a GNC que equipen vehículos pesados.

The government set emissions limits  for CNG fed motors for heavy vehicles  in accordance with European Standards.  It also set up the procedural framework for testing and certification.

Date Implemented: 2002

Iran: Air Pollution Abatement Programme

Tehran Municipality will convert 1,500 diesel-fuelled buses to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). A mandatory emission inspection and control program was set up for motor vehicles permitted to enter the city’s Restricted Traffic Zone (RTZ). Lanes were specifically designated for buses. As a result, urban bus services, including ridership have increased in the last three years by thirty-five percent and average trip time has decreased. A Park and Ride facility with a capacity of 200 cars has also increased bus ridership.

Iran: Air pollution emissions standards of 1998

All cars, both imported and domestic, have had to meet the ECEISO4 standards for emissions, and in the upcoming Iranian year manufacturers will be required to observe ECE-R83 standards, and the standards for light vehicles in Iran have been effectively  increased to ECE R15.04 / ECE R49. Although already an accepted standard in Iran, this was generally not enforced until 2000.

Date Implemented: 1999/2000

Iran: Collecting old, polluting cars

The Iranian government has implemented this policy whereby older cars, responsible for most of the urban pollution, are collected. The owners of these vehicles are compensated and provided with low-interest loans to buy replacement automobiles.

Status: In Force; Voluntary

References: http://www.atiehbahar.com/Resources/Environment.pdf

South Africa: Energy Efficiency Accord