Seite - 25 - in options, Band winter 2014/2015

asia & oceania 25winter 2014/2015 + optionswww.iiasa.ac.at regional focus The control of air pollutant emissions in East Asia—a major contributor to global emissions—is key to the improvement of both the regional and global atmospheric environment. Based on a new evaluation of emission trends and mitigation options for multiple air pollutants in East Asia, researchers now provide up-to-date projections upon which air quality and climate mitigation policies can be built. “We examined air pollution control measures in East Asia in the last decade and evaluated the impact of control policies on emission trends during 2005–2010,” explains IIASA’s Zbigniew Klimont. “Our study also projected future emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) until 2030 under six emission scenarios based on a range of energy-saving and end-of-pipe emission control measures, like flue gas desulfurization systems.” Findings indicate that by 2020 China’s emissions of NOx, SO2, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could be 16–26% lower than the 2010 levels if control policies and associated regulations are enforced efficiently. Moreover, the adoption of further energy-saving measures (including behavioral changes) could play an essential role in cutting air pollutant emissions even more. “Assuming the full application of technically feasible energy-saving policies and end-of-pipe control technologies across East Asia, the emissions of NOx, SO2, and PM2.5 would account for only about one-quarter and NMVOCs for one-third of the baseline projection levels by 2030,” Klimont points out. JO Further info Wang SX, Zhao B, Cai SY, Klimont Z, Nielsen CP, Morikawa T, Woo  J-H, Kim Y, Fu X, Xu JY, Hao JM, He KB (2014). Emission trends and mitigation options for air pollutants in East Asia. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 14(13):6571–6603 [doi:10.5194/acp-14-6571-2014]. Zbigniew Klimont klimont@iiasa.ac.at A crucial aspect in climate adaptation is dealing with extreme events including natural disasters. A better understanding of the nature of climate- related disaster risk and risk management options could inform action on climate adaptation and point the way forward for more effective policy and practice, suggests IIASA’s Reinhard Mechler. The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report recently documented that anthropogenic climate change, in addition to causing gradual shifts, is increasing the intensity, duration, and frequency of extreme temperatures and rainfall. In addition, another very different human contribution that renders disasters “unnatural” is the interaction of hazards with the exposure and vulnerability of affected people and communities. “Climate science and risk analysis have recognized the need to provide input in terms of disentangling the contributions of these two complex sets of drivers, which is necessary for devising risk management options that work,” Mechler explains. Science is already informing practice. The megacity of Jakarta, where IIASA is currently involved in research, is establishing a multi- billion dollar program to protect itself from rising sea levels using large levees. This effort is taking place in tandem with actions to manage rising flood exposure as a result of increasing urbanization. Options to implement new building and zoning regulations that lower the vulnerability of houses and infrastructure to extreme rainfall are also being explored. While many policy and implementation- specific questions remain, researchers aim to take the agenda on climate risk management forward with a focus on informing policy as well as providing actionable information on the ground. JO Further info Mechler R, Bouwer LM, Linnerooth-Bayer  J, Hochrainer-Stigler S, Aerts JCJH, Surminski S, Williges K (2014). Managing unnatural disaster risk  from climate extremes. Nature Climate Change 4(4):235–237 [doi:10.1038/nclimate2137]. Reinhard Mechler mechler@iiasa.ac.at Major air pollutant reduction in East Asia “feasible” Jakarta puts climate risk management theory into practice