LPG As Part of the Solution

A recent progress report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) reveals that 13 of the EU's 27 Member States are likely to exceed their national pollutant emissions targets - established by the EU's 2001 National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive - for 2010.

As was demonstrated in the Scientific Review on Local Air Quality, published by Atlantic Consulting in 2009, greater uptake of LPG, a clean burning alternative to many fossil fuels, would help reduce emissions of numerous key pollutants covered by the NECs, notably sulphur dioxide (SO₂) nitrous oxides (NO_x), and volatile organic compounds(VOCs).

LPG, particularly when used as an automotive fuel, can make a meaningful contribution to the efforts of national governments to reduce pollutant emissions in urban areas. In rural areas beyond the natural gas network, LPG offers a clean, lower-carbon alternative to conventional heating fuels such as heating oil, coal, and wood. Every EU Member State will need to develop its own specific strategies for meeting the obligations outlined above. In this context, national LPG associations are encouraged to meet with policy-makers in their respective countries with a view to demonstrating this potential and call for the creation of a policy-framework designed to optimize it. The AEGPL is ready and willing to support its members in this effort.

 For more information please go to www.aegpl.eu .