 |
NARSTO Workshop on Innovative Methods for Emission Inventory Development and Evaluation University of Texas, Austin October 14-17, 2003 |
 |
Emission Inventory Needs and Enhancements planned for Mexico
Adrián Fernández Bremauntz and Lenora Rojas Bracho
Instituto Nacional de Ecologia
Mexico, DF 04530, Mexico
Championed by Mexico´s National Institute of Ecology (INE) and sponsored by the United States EPA, the Western Governors´ Association (WGA) and the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (NACEC), Mexico´s National Emissions Inventory project started out in 1995 with the initial purpose of developing a methodology and an Execution Plan to complete Mexico´s National Emissions Inventory. Its products so far have been several manuals for the development of emissions inventories in Mexico and training material, as well as the Mexicali Emissions Inventory. Phase II of three of the project is currently coming to a close, with the completion of the inventory for the six bordering states. The full product should be concluded by 2004.
In itself, the project represents a novel effort to put together disperse and limited emissions information, available in very diverse formats of variable quality. It has brought together energy, environmental and transport authorities, as well as private organizations and NGOs in Mexico.
Once completed, the Inventory will serve as the primary tool to reformulate or otherwise confirm current air quality improvement policies and to develop better regulations, detect specific information needs, evaluate current emissions databases and serve as a baseline for air quality prognosis. Overall, it represents a unique opportunity to congregate all stakeholders with an impact on air quality to become involved in this assessment, which will serve as foundation for a more science-based approach to decision making in Mexico, will support a better understanding of air quality issues in the Mexico-US border region and will provide critical information for a North American emissions inventory.