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Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2003. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the external costs of automotive emissions of one tonne to the atmosphere of (a) particulates, (b) fine particulates, (c) sulphur dioxide, (d) carbon dioxide, (e) benzene, (f) 1, 3 butadiene, (g) carbon monoxide and (h) oxides of nitrogen. - Inc figures.
Answer

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the external costs of automotive emissions of one tonne to the atmosphere of (a) particulates, (b) fine particulates, (c) sulphur dioxide, (d) carbon dioxide, (e) benzene, (f) 1, 3 butadiene, (g) carbon monoxide and (h) oxides of nitrogen. [97250] Mr. Meacher: Considerable research is in hand to improve the scientific and economic understanding of the health and environmental damages of air pollution. This work will provide important evidence on which policies will be further developed. The Air Quality Strategy sets standards and objectives for particulates (PM10), sulphur dioxide, benzene, 1,3 butadiene, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide to be reached between 2003 and 2010. The Government have not published formal estimates of the air quality external costs per tonne of automotive emissions. The external costs of a tonne of emission from a vehicle will vary according to the pollutant in question, the type of vehicle and fuel used, where the vehicle is emitting as well as many other factors. A Government Economic Service working paper has suggested a range from £35/tC to £140/tC (with a best estimate of £70t/C) as illustrative of the global damage cost of carbon emissions. It also suggested that these figures should be raised in real terms by £1t/C per annum as the costs of climate change are likely to increase over time. These values are currently under review following recent advances in the academic literature, and general developments in the UK Government economic appraisal guidance (such as the new Treasury Green Book).

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
97250; 400 c80-1W;400 c80W
Session
2002-03
Subjects
Carbon monoxide Costs Air pollution Carbon dioxide Exhaust emissions Motor vehicles Benzene Sulphur dioxide Dust Pollutants Nitrogen oxides Butadiene
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk