The members of the Middle East's Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have been urged to adopt a target for clean fuels at a conference in Bahrain organised by the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV). Supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Partnership is promoting global campaigns for a total ban on leaded petrol and the widest possible use of low sulphur petrol and diesel fuels. The Conference, which brought together over 70 delegates from across the Middle East, was opened by the Kingdom of Bahrain?s Minister for Oil and Gas Affairs, Dr Abdulhussain Mizra
UNEP's Mary M'Mukindia highlighted the progress already made in eliminating leaded petrol with just sixteen countries still using the fuel. The PFCV hopes to achieve a global ban by the end of this year. Their second campaign goal is to achieve a worldwide target of less than 50 parts per million (ppm) for the sulphur content of diesel and petrol fuels. (See map of world diesel sulphur levels below) High sulphur content in both fuels prevents the effective use of advanced catalyst and trap systems to reduce toxic exhaust emissions. The USA, Europe and Japan are all reducing sulphur levels to less than 10 ppm to reduce toxic emissions and improve air quality. At this level the latest diesel catalyst and trap technologies can reduce emissions of particulate matter by as much as 95%.
Speaking at the Bahrain Conference, David Ward, Director General of the FIA Foundation, strongly supported the PFCV campaign and urged the GCC to adopt a regional target for 50ppm low sulphur fuels by 2012. The Conference delegates also had the opportunity to visit the world?s largest diesel low sulphur fuel refinery project which was commissioned last year by BABCO, the Kingdom of Bahrain? state oil company. Part of a strategic investment plan worth $1.5 billion, the project will enable production of 10 ppm diesel fuel down from current levels above 6,000 ppm. Also attending the Bahrain conference were senior representatives of automobile clubs from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.
PCFV map of world diesel sulphur levels (3.8mb / .pdf) >
Presentation by David Ward of the FIA Foundation (1.2mb / .pdf)