2001年-世界发展银行全球_Regional_Conference_on_the_Phase-Out_of_Leaded_Gasoline_in_Sub-Saharan_Africa___Proceedings_324页_15mb

Clean Air Initiative in Sub-Saharan African Cities: Summary

Core Content

The Clean Air Initiative in Sub-Saharan African Cities, launched by the World Bank in 1998, aimed to address the significant health and environmental impacts of leaded gasoline in the region. Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the few regions globally still using leaded gasoline, which contributes to high atmospheric lead levels, posing serious health risks, especially to children. The initiative focused on promoting the phase-out of leaded gasoline through collaboration with governments, the private sector, environmental institutions, and development agencies.

A key event of the initiative was the Regional Conference on the Phase-Out of Leaded Gasoline, held in Dakar, Senegal from June 26 to June 28, 2001. The conference brought together over 200 participants from 25 countries, representing a wide range of stakeholders including government officials, industry representatives, and international organizations. The conference's main objective was to raise awareness of the health and environmental impacts of leaded gasoline, build consensus on phase-out strategies, and develop actionable plans for its elimination.

Main Outcomes

• Declaration of Dakar: All participants agreed to a declaration stating that leaded gasoline will be completely phased out in all Sub-Saharan African countries as soon as possible, with a target date of 2005 at the latest.
• Sub-regional Action Plans: Each of the five sub-regions (West Africa, Nigeria and Neighboring Countries, West Central Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa) formed working groups to develop preliminary action plans and timetables for lead phase-out.
• Harmonization of Standards: The need for harmonizing technical specifications across sub-regions was emphasized to support regional trade and traffic management.
• Support from Partners: The World Bank, along with partners such as IPIECA, the oil industry, and NGOs, committed to supporting the phase-out through technical assistance, funding, and capacity-building.
• Public Awareness Campaign: A campaign was recommended to raise public awareness about the benefits of unleaded gasoline and the health risks of leaded gasoline.
• Network Formation: The AFRICACLEAN network of air quality practitioners was established to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing across the region and internationally.

Key Issues and Strategies

Environmental and Health Impacts

• Lead exposure affects children's development and intellectual performance and contributes to adult health issues such as elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological and kidney diseases.
• The Declaration of Dakar highlighted the urgent need to phase out leaded gasoline to enable the use of catalytic converters, which significantly reduce vehicle emissions.

Technical and Financial Considerations

• Vehicle Emissions Standards: The World Bank and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) discussed the importance of setting and enforcing emissions standards.
• Fuel Refining and Distribution: Challenges related to fuel logistics, octane replacement, and refinery reconfiguration were identified, with the oil industry playing a critical role in addressing these issues.
• Pricing and Regulation: A balance between economic incentives and enforceable regulations was recommended to ensure a smooth transition to unleaded gasoline.

Policy Strategies

• Promotion of Public Transport: Encouraging the use of public transport, land use control, and city planning were highlighted as essential policy measures to reduce emissions and improve urban air quality.
• Collaboration with Industry: The petroleum and automobile industries were encouraged to support the phase-out process through innovation, investment, and compliance with environmental standards.

Next Steps

• Follow-up Conference: A regional conference was planned for September 2002 at the "Rio + 10" event in Durban, South Africa.
• Implementation Strategy: A comprehensive strategy was to be developed within the next 12 months, integrating technical, institutional, financial, and public information aspects.
• Capacity Building: Support from the World Bank, WHO, UNEP, and other agencies was requested to help sub-Saharan African countries implement the lead phase-out programs.
• Data and Knowledge Management: A databank was proposed to collect and disseminate information on leaded gasoline and its phase-out, with the petroleum industry identified as a key contributor.
• Strengthening Partnerships: The initiative called for enhanced partnerships between regional and international organizations, governments, and the private sector.

Key Participants and Partners

• World Bank: Coordinated the initiative and provided financial and technical support.
• IPIECA: Represented the petroleum industry and emphasized the importance of lead phase-out for public health and environmental protection.
• ExxonMobil: Played a significant role in the conference and provided insights into the oil industry's commitment to the phase-out.
• Other Partners: Included Belgian Cooperation, Norwegian Trust Fund, USAID, USEPA, and NGOs.

Conclusion

The conference marked a significant milestone in the Clean Air Initiative, fostering collaboration and consensus among stakeholders to phase out leaded gasoline in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Declaration of Dakar provided a clear roadmap for action, with the goal of achieving a complete phase-out by 2005. The initiative underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation, technical and financial preparedness, and public awareness in improving urban air quality and protecting public health.