Emissions of classical air pollutants can be considerably decreased by cost-effective measures. The policy simulations assumed the introduction of measures in those sectors in which action will become cost-effective during the scenario period, such as in marine shipping. It is also assumed that present low-income countries will not enhance their air pollution policy until their GDP per capita has grown above a certain minimum, later this century.

Decrease of sulphur dioxide emissions

The figure shows the decrease of sulphur dioxide emissions. By 2030, the decrease in sulphur dioxide emissions is by far the largest in OECD countries, as is also the case with greenhouse gases. In the global participation case, the steps in global emission reduction are of the same order of magnitude as for participation of BRIC and the rest of the world. The 2050 chart shows the pattern by the time the policy package would have its full effect in most regions. Then, sulphur dioxide emissions are approximately 85 per cent less than they would have been under ‘no new policies’conditions.

While these air pollution policies are cost-effective in themselves, combining them with climate change policies in the global policy package results in a double benefit: 20 per cent less of sulpur and nitrogen oxide emissions against 18 per cent less abatement cost.

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