Plan to cut pollution from cars launched

Campaign will push for adoption of pertinent laws

A national campaign for the reduction of air pollution was launched on Thursday (October 11). The project is organized by IPT Energy Center (IPTEC), a specialized research center established by local petroleum company IPT. The campaign is supported by the Ministry of Environment (MOE), the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to the MoE, land transport sector accounts for 28 percent of local fuel consumption, right behind energy production. These two sectors cause 80 percent of the country’s CO2 emissions. As per the World Bank’s estimate, more than 350 people in Lebanon die prematurely every year due to urban air pollution.

Throughout the campaign, IPTEC will be lobbying for the endorsement of a number of laws that support sustainable transportation, especially those currently studied by the parliament. In January the Cabinet approved a draft law for the Protection of Air Quality. Once approved by Parliament, the legislation will allow the MoE and the relevant authorities to monitor, prevent, and control air pollution at all levels.

The campaign will also focus on enhancing public awareness on the impact of land transport on air pollution. It will host capacity building workshops by energy and transport experts. The workshops will target professionals and decision makers in the land transport sector, including petroleum importing companies, the syndicate of taxi drivers, the union of public transportation, and private bus companies.