Last July the European Commission published a proposal to revise their “sulphur in fuels directive” that regulates the maximum level of sulphur permitted for fuels used in combustion plants and in the shipping sector.
Sulphur contained in fuel causes emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and also contributes to the formation of secondary particulate matter that is particularly harmful both to humans and the environment. These emissions have a major health impact, with shipping air pollution estimated to cause around 50,000 premature deaths per year in Europe. SOX emissions also cause environmental problems such as the acidification of soil and water and damage to biodiversity.
Read more from our briefing
T&E's annual overview of key transport trends, challenges and achievements
European transport is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, but electric vehicles are on the charge as the EU’s green policies start to bite. Powerin...
T&E reaction to EU Clean Industrial Deal, Action Plan for Affordable Energy, and Omnibus proposal.
Why the IMO’s Global Fuel Standard risks incentivising the worst biofuels