PCFV launches program in Caucasus, Central Asia

The PCFV launched its Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) program with a regional meeting on 24 & 25 January 2008 in Tbilisi to support a region where some countries still use leaded petrol, high fuel sulphur levels are the norm, and vehicle emission control technologies are not in widespread use yet. The presence of an older vehicle fleet where most cars are over 10 years old, low maintenance and inspection rates, and the rise in private vehicle ownership mean that this is a good time to begin addressing local air quality and global emissions through cleaner fuels and vehicles. This work will complement and extend previous efforts by the World Health Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The PCFV Clearing-House has partnered with the Regional Environmental Center for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus, www.rec-caucasus.org) in Tbilisi, Georgia to initiate a regional discussion that will assess the current status of fuels and vehicles in EECCA, progress made to date in fuel quality and vehicle standards, and the challenges remaining for the promotion of lead-free, low-sulphur fuels and improved vehicle standards. This will be followed by national-level initiatives in the Caucasus countries, with plans for extension to Central Asia.

[see Conference on Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) for meeting rcommendations and outcomes, presentations and agenda on http://www.unep.org/pcfv/meetings/tiblisimeeting.asp]