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UNEP initiates drive to clean up Kenyan skies - November 1, 2009
 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has rolled out an initiative aimed at reducing sulphur levels in diesel to cut down pollution caused by vehicles in Kenya. It wants the government to introduce new rules to cut the level to 500 parts per million (ppm) in imported diesel from January next year to protect the environment.
Black smoke
The benefits of using such fuel include reduction of particulate matter such as visible black smoke, decreased corrosion of car pistons and cylinder liner wear of engines, extended lubricant life and increased oil drain interval. National Environment Management Agency (Nema) and the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) are backing the initiative for Kenya to meet a 2010 global deadline of using low sulphur diesel. Imported diesel (automotive gas oil) contains 5,000 ppm of sulphur with the Mombasa-based refinery producing diesel with 10,000 ppm. According to UNEP, Kenya's continued use of automotive gas oil of 10,000 parts per million is associated with high emission of sulphur dioxide that causes respiratory problems and acid rain.
'Sulphur dioxide is detrimental to human health as emission of high levels of particulate matter causes bronchitis and respiratory problems,' said Unep's programme officer Jane Akumu.
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Launch of Media Campaign for Public Support for Cleaner Buses and Fuels, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 15 April 2009
 A one-day media campaign launch to raise awareness of stakeholders on benefit of clean public transportation took place on 15 April in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The launch was coordinated by the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART) and was attended by the Hon. William Ngeleje, Minister for Energy and Minerals of Tanzania and the Chief Executive of DART Mr. Cosmas Takule.
The Government of Tanzania committed to lowering of sulphur levels in diesel fuels to 500ppm before the end of the year. This fuel quality would be required to run the proposed BRT buses that will meet Euro 3 standards.
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Africa ARCHIVES
National stakeholders Workshop for Ethiopia, July 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
National Workshop on Sulphur Reduction in Vehicle Fuels, June 2008, Lome, Togo
Southern Africa Sub-regional Policy Dialogue on Air Pollution, March 2008, Lusaka, Zambia
Meetings and Events |
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