Regional Activities - Central Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Cleaner Vehicle Fleets in Central and Eastern Europe Training for Fleet Managers & National Programme Managers, 18-19 September 2008 - Szentendre, Hungary

Together with the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), the PCFV Clearing House organized a specialized training on the use of and implementation of the Cleaner Fleet Management Toolkit (developed by UNEP and TNT in 2006/2007, available from http://www.unep.org/tnt-unep/toolkit/). The event was sponsored by TNT, and the Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM).

The toolkit contains a number of tools that, when used together, function to prepare both public and private vehicle fleet managers to (1) evaluate the impacts of their fleets on the environment and human health and (2) then develop a practical strategy for corrective and cost-effective action through a number of options (from eco driving and improved maintenance through to advanced fuels and technologies). The toolkit takes fleet managers and those interested in learning about lowering emissions from road transport through a step-by-step system that is accessible to both the experienced and beginners in the field. » Read More

Launch of PCFV activities in Caucasus, Central Asia

Urban air quality and human health in countries in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) continue to suffer from vehicular emissions linked to the continued use of leaded petrol, high vehicle fuel sulphur levels, and the lack of widespread use of vehicle emissions control technology (e.g. catalytic converters). Cleaner fuels are needed in order to lower vehicle emissions, improve air quality (especially in urban areas), and enable the use of ever-advancing vehicle emissions controls and engine technologies.

The EECCA region has two countries that still use leaded gasoline and sulphur levels in transportation fuels are high (ranging from 50 parts per million (ppm) to 5,000 ppm). In addition to an older vehicle fleet where most private cars are more than 10 years old and low maintenance and inspection rates, the rise in private vehicle ownership and decreasing utilization of public transport stand to only worsen the existing situation. » Read More

Central and Eastern Europe Workshop on Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles

The PCFV, in partnership with the US Government (USEPA) and the Regional Environmental Center (REC), a major regional NGO, organized a workshop on cleaner fuels and vehicles on Thursday and Friday, 27-28 October, 2005, at REC headquarters in Szentendre, Hungary, just north of Budapest.

The discussions included the issues of leaded gasoline phaseout, plans for the reduction of sulphur levels in diesel fuel, cleaner vehicles and emission control technologies, approximation of national legislation with EU fuel quality standards, and biofuels.

The workshop was an opportunity for government, industry and civil society representatives from CEE and Turkey to assess progress made on these issues and to develop appropriate next steps for countries still using leaded gasoline and high fuel sulphur levels. The event also aimed at increased awareness of clean vehicles and fuels opportunities in the region.

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Meetings and Events