Used car exports drives pollution to developing world
[PARIS] Getting rid of old cars is helping clean the skies over developing nations, but many clunkers are ending up in developing countries where they are add significantly to air pollution, a UN report warns.
The European Union, Japan and United States exported around three million used vehicles each year between 2015 and 2018, with most going to low- and middle-income countries and more than half ending up in Africa, according to report released Monday by the UN Environment Programme.
With the expansion of car ownership in developing countries expected to be a major source of emissions in coming decades, the UNEP called for tightening the rules for exporting and importing old, polluting vehicles.
"Developed countries must stop exporting vehicles that fail environment and safety inspections and are no longer considered roadworthy in their own countries, while importing countries should introduce stronger quality standards," said UNEP's executive director, Inger Andersen.
The agency cited an investigation by Dutch authorities in 2019 that found the average age of vehicles waiting to be exported was 18 years.
They also had more than 200,000km on their odometers on average, and many were missing catalytic converters that reduce toxic gases from exhaust.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
UNEP said that two-thirds of the 146 countries it looked at had weak rules regarding the import of used vehicles, and some had no pollution standards.
AFP
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Transport & Logistics
Capital A chief Fernandes defers retirement, renews contract for five years
Victims’ families to urge US prosecute Boeing over fatal crashes
Tesla could start selling Optimus robots by the end of next year, Musk says
FAA probes union claims Boeing retaliated against two engineers in 2022
Tesla profits tumble but shares rise on new vehicle plan
Tesla to cut more than 6,000 jobs across Texas, California