Application of the AIM/Korea model to the transport sector in Seoul, Korea

With the rises in population, number of vehicles, energy consumption, and economic activity in the Seoul metropolitan area, it is difficult for existing environmental policies and measures to mitigate air pollution. To respond to such challenges, the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Korea enacted the Special Act on Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement (SAMAQI) in December 2003. The Special Act is effective from January 2005. Because the transport sector is rapidly growing in the Seoul metropolitan area, we discuss the possible impact of this Special Act on emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the transport sector in Seoul. For this policy analysis, the AIM/local model (Asia-Pacific Integrated Model for Evaluating Policy Options to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission and Global Warming Impacts) is used. SAMAQI is expected to affect the emission profiles of air pollutants in the Seoul metropolitan area with the introduction of diesel passenger cars. This article analyzes the various policy scenarios along with projections of key determinants in the transport sector in this area. With such stringent emission standards and other policies and measures envisioned by the Special Act, the introduction of new vehicles equipped with advanced technologies and energy efficiency improvements will be accelerated, which will contribute to the reduction of air pollutants and CO₂ emissions simultaneously.