Programme Objectives and Structure

Air pollution is a global problem, with some pollutants transported thousands of miles, at regional hemispheric and global scales. But it is in the world’s cities particularly the mega-cities of the developing world, that the emissions and their impacts are most acute. By 2020 it is estimated that half the world’s population will live in cities.

Domestic, industrial and transport sources all contribute to the concentration of air pollution in cities, but whereas domestic and industrial sources are generally stable or declining, the scale and impact of transport emissions is increasing in most cities in the developing world and in many elsewhere.

The reasons for this are clear. While emissions per vehicle are generally declining – as a result of better technology and cleaner fuels, such improvement is being off-set by dramatic increases in the number of vehicles. The scale of the challenge is immense: It is estimated, for instance, that by 2020 the increase in the number of vehicles on China’s roads will exceed the current number of vehicles in the world.

IUAPPA’s seminar programme is designed to increase knowledge and understanding of these issues, and to explore innovative solutions. The programme works by bringing together scientists, administrators and policy-makers from major cities around the world to exchange experience and explore new developments and opportunities.

Seminar Programmes and Available Presentations

2005 Tokyo
Third International Seminar: Reducing the Impact of Transport on Air Quality and Environment in Cities. More info here..

2004 Istanbul
Joint Meeting with Embarq Programme: the Role of Emission Inventories in Reducing Urban Air Pollution

2003 Mexico City
Second International Seminar: Managing the Impact of Transport on Air and Environment in Cities. Further details and presentations here..

2002 Sao Paulo
First International Seminar on Urban Air Quality Management. Further details and presentations here..