Online map showing European air quality launched

An online map showing sources of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Europe has been launched by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Environment Programme.

The project, which was initially demonstrated at the UN Climate Change Conference in December, is now available to view online through the UNECE website.

World leaders met in the Danish capital last month in an attempt to hammer out a deal on global CO2 emissions reduction targets. Although no legally binding target was agreed, a fund to support poorer nations in the fight against climate change was established.

The map shows European industries and other greenhouse gas and pollutant-producing sources, with all the information collected via publicly available avenues.

Laura Altinger, an economic affairs officer with UNECE, explained: "The demonstration shows how the public and other third-party users of environmental information can access and mash pollutant release and transfer data obtained through the Kiev Protocol and its sister regulation."

A meeting has been held with representatives from Google Earth to discuss the possibility of a partnership between the two organisations to implement similar initiatives in the future.

Posted by Claire Manning