Title: Effects of CO₂ emission reduction strategies on air pollution

Authors: W. Fichtner, A. Fleury, O. Rentz

Addresses: Institute for Industrial Production (IIP), University of Karlsruhe (TH), Hertzstr. 16, 76187 Karlsruhe, Germany. ' Institute for Industrial Production (IIP), University of Karlsruhe (TH), Hertzstr. 16, 76187 Karlsruhe, Germany. ' Institute for Industrial Production (IIP), University of Karlsruhe (TH), Hertzstr. 16, 76187 Karlsruhe, Germany

Abstract: Emission reduction strategies for air pollutants such as SO₂ and O_x as well as for greenhouse gases (GHGs) usually do not consider the interdependencies between emission reduction measures. Taking into account the relevant energy, environmental and political framework it is the objective of this study to determine the influence of CO₂ emission reduction strategies for the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg on emissions of SO₂ and NO_x. Furthermore, effects on SO₂ and NO_x emissions in Baden-Wurttemberg resulting from the implementation of an EU-wide trading of carbon dioxide emission allowances will be analysed. Therefore, the study is based on the development and application of an energy and material flow model for Baden-Wurttemberg with the help of which future developments in different sectors (e.g. energy supply, households, industry) are analysed. Different assumptions with respect to the economic and political framework are considered. The model results show that a CO₂-reduction causes a considerable reduction of the pollutant SO₂ and to a smaller extent of the pollutant NO_x. This is due to the fact that the substantial measures necessary for a limitation of CO₂ emissions are the increased use of natural gas and renewable energies in the energy supply sector as well as better insulation and efficient heating systems in the household sector. Furthermore, linking the model for Baden-Wurttemberg to an international power and emissions trading model shows that pollution emitters from Baden-Wurttemberg would buy CO₂-certificates, resulting in a reduction of CO₂ mitigation costs but also in higher emissions of CO₂, SO₂ and NO_x in Baden-Wurttemberg compared to the scenario without emission trading. Finally, model results taking into account methodologies to evaluate different GHGs show that the integration of measures for the reduction of non-CO₂ GHGs also results in an increase of air pollution compared to the CO₂ reduction scenario.

Keywords: air pollution; climate change; energy and material flow model; linear programming; multi-pollutant mitigation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2003.003930

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2003 Vol.3 No.3, pp.245 - 265

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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