Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) in São Paulo, Brazil: Evaluation of ambient air concentration for different emission scenarios

In the context of the Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) program developed in São Paulo, Brazil, the potential air quality impact of different emissions inventories was analyzed. These emissions were obtained under various energy scenarios in São Paulo, which were considered in the estimation of air pollution concentration of gaseous compounds CO, NOx, SO2 and ozone, and particulate matter PM10. The results show that different energy scenarios can have significant impact on ambient air pollution concentrations. Compared with basecase scenario, implementation of various emission control strategies can decrease concentration of air pollutants concentration. These findings illustrate that an effective energy and environmental policy will play an active role in reduction of air pollutant emissions, improvement of air quality, and public health. This study was developed under the IES (Integrated Environmental Strategies) Program initiated by the States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in 1998 to assist developing countries with evaluation and human benefits of technologies and policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are projects in eight countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Korea, Philippines, India and Mexico. The projects receive technical support from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as well other cooperators and contractors, such as ABT Associates.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) initiated the Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) in 1998 to assist developing countries with evaluation and human benefits of technologies and policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are projects in eight countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Korea, Philippines, India and Mexico. The projects receive technical support from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as well other cooperators and contractors, such as ABT Associates.

The overall objective of the IES project in Brazil was to establish a framework for development, analysis and implementation of integrated, environmentally sustainable policies for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region (SPMR), with particular focus on the transport system. This framework is expected to supply decision-makers with stronger policy instruments to simultaneously address local, regional and global environmental issues based on technical, economic and social criteria. The São Paulo project analyzed strategies with potential for implementation that can optimize the local-regional-global benefits.

The IES program in Brazil focuses on the São Paulo Metropolitan Region (SPMR), a conglomerate of cities with a total population of almost 17 million people (approx. 10% of the Brazilian population), a GDP of US$100 billion (approx. 20% of the National GDP), and 6 million vehicles (approx. 25% of the national fleet).

The workgroup for the IES project consists of representatives from São Paulo State Environmental Agency (CETESB), the Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FM-USP), the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of São Paulo (IAG-USP), the Institute of Applied Economics Research (IPEA), and two independent energy consultants.

This work summarizes the methods and results of the application of air quality scenarios for São Paulo based on alternative energy/emission analysis of specific technologies and policy measures under consideration for implementation to mitigate local air pollution. The local pollutants considered were particulate matter PM10, sulfur dioxide SO2, carbon monoxide CO, nitrogen oxides NOx volatile organic compounds VOCs, and ozone O3. Greenhouse gas, namely carbon dioxide CO2 and methane CH4, were also considered.

The energy inventory for year 2000 (base year) included parameters from various sources, including population, GDP, sector shares of GDP, pass.km, ton.km, average vehicle occupancy, mileage, and fuel economy, energy intensities for various processes and devices, and many others.

The sectors considered for the energy/emission inventory and scenarios were: Transport, Commercial, Industrial, Residential, and Power Generation (local gas-fired power plants). The energy inventory for year 2000 (base year) included parameters from various sources, including population, GDP, sector shares of GDP, pass.km, ton.km, average vehicle occupancy, mileage, and fuel economy, energy intensities for various processes and devices, and many others.

The sectors considered for the energy/emission inventory and scenarios were: Transport, Commercial, Industrial, Residential, and Power Generation (local gas-fired power plants).