In recent times, an announcement by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) drew attention when it proclaimed the total eradication of leaded petrol across the globe.
Petrol: A Key Fuel for Internal-Combustion Engines
Petrol, also known as gas or gasoline, is a mix of volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons that comes from petroleum. It fuels internal-combustion engines and serves as a solvent for oils and fats. Initially, it was a by-product of the petroleum industry, with kerosene being the main product. However, petrol became the preferred fuel for automobiles due to its high energy of combustion and ability to mix easily with air in a carburetor.
Leaded vs Unleaded Petrol: The Critical Difference
The primary distinguishing factor between leaded and unleaded petrol is the additive tetraethyl lead. Burning leaded petrol releases lead into the air, posing a severe pollution threat. This heavy pollutant not only harms the environment but also threatens public health.
Achievements from Eradicating Leaded Petrol
Eradicating leaded petrol is a monumental event set to prevent over 1.2 million premature deaths and save world economies more than USD 2.4 trillion annually. It’s an enormous achievement for worldwide health and the environment. Despite this, UNEP has warned that we must considerably cut down the usage of fossil fuels in general to stave off significant climate change impacts.
The Era of Leaded Petrol: A Historical Overview
Till the 1970s, leaded petrol was dominant worldwide. Affluent countries like the United States, China, and India ceased using this fuel by the time UNEP launched its Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) campaign in 2002. However, the situation remained bleak in lower-income nations, and over 100 countries continued to use leaded petrol. In July 2021, Algeria, the last country using leaded petrol, finally eradicated it.
The Need for Eradication: Pollution, Global Warming, and Health Concerns
The transportation sector contributes to nearly a quarter of the energy-related global greenhouse gas emissions, expected to grow to one third by 2050. Moreover, a massive influx of poor-quality used vehicles from Europe, the United States, and Japan is being exported to mid- and low-income countries. The recent Climate Change 2021 report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also raised concerns about fossil fuel usage after it warned that Earth’s average temperature would be 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer around 2030 compared to pre-industrial times. Moreover, leaded petrol is associated with heart disease, stroke, cancer and it adversely affects brain development.
The Significance: Achieving Multiple Sustainable Development Goals
The end of leaded petrol aids the realization of numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as good health and well-being (SDG3), clean water (SDG6), clean energy (SDG7), sustainable cities (SDG11), climate action (SDG13), and life on land (SDG15). It also facilitates restoring ecosystems degraded by this toxic pollutant, particularly in urban environments.
About UNEP: A Global Environmental Authority
Established on June 5th, 1972, UNEP is a leading environmental authority, setting the global environmental agenda, promoting sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serving as an authoritative advocate for global environment protection. It has launched major reports and campaigns such as Emission Gap Report, Adaptation Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life, and others. Its headquarters are based in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP administers/provides secretarial functions to various environment-related agreements.
