The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) supports the reduction of vehicle emissions through the promotion of cleaner fuels and vehicles in developing and transitional countries. The Partnership has the following 3 main campaigns:
The Lead Campaign
The PCFV has been most successful in the global elimination of leaded petrol. In 2002 when the PCFV was formed, 82 countries were still using leaded petrol. Today only 3 countries are remaining and plans are underway to also eliminate leaded petrol in these countries.
Leaded petrol poisoning has been one of the world’s most serious environmental health problems, responsible for 90% or more of human lead exposure. A UNEP-commissioned study (Hatfield, Journal of Environmental Health, 2011) estimates the benefits of the global elimination of leaded petrol at over 1.2 million premature deaths avoided per year, of which 125,000 are children. The overall global benefit of eliminating leaded petrol adds up to $2.45 trillion per year.
The Sulphur Campaign
While developed countries have reduced fuel sulphur levels to 10 parts per million (ppm), in developing and transitional countries the average sulphur levels (particularly in diesel fuels) are high and may even reach 10,000 ppm. PCFV efforts to lower sulphur levels in fuels, by improving refinery technology and/or fuel import standards have resulted in major progress in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Low sulphur fuels are critical to lowering direct emissions of particulate matter from on-road traffic (that are of great concern due to their health impacts) and black carbon emissions (an important climate pollutant).
The Vehicles Campaign
The PCFV recognizes that fuels and vehicles work together as a system, and that the greatest benefits are achievable by combining cleaner fuels with appropriate cleaner vehicle and emission control technologies.
While many developing and transition countries are increasingly implementing cleaner fuel policies, most still lack vehicle emission standards. A long term strategy that focuses on cleaning the fuels and vehicles in an integrated manner will result in optimal benefits to the countries. For in-use vehicles, effective inspection and maintenance programs will ensure vehicles emit fewer pollutants.
