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Chile has been taking several measures to combat pollution, particularly air pollution, which costs the health sector at least $670 million annually and causes over 4,000 premature deaths. In 2014, the government launched a program to replace 200,000 firewood heaters with more energy-efficient alternatives, reducing emissions and improving indoor air quality. Chile has also been part of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition since 2012, aiming to reduce methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbon emissions. The country has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Breathe Life Campaign, with Santiago leading the way through its Santiago Respira campaign, which aims to decrease global emissions of particulate matter. Additionally, Chile has implemented taxation policies, such as a vehicle emissions tax, to reduce pollution. The country has also been focusing on electric transportation, with Santiago having the second-largest fleet of electric buses globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Energy use in homes | One of Chile's main sources of short-lived climate pollutants |
| Climate and Clean Air Coalition | A voluntary alliance Chile has been part of since 2012, with the goal of reducing methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbon emissions |
| Breathe Life Campaign | A joint initiative led by the World Health Organization, UN Environment and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition to protect health from the effects of air pollution |
| Air pollution costs | At least $670 million to the health sector every year, causing 127,000 emergency health consultations and over 4,000 premature deaths |
| Firewood heaters | The Chilean government launched a programme in 2014 to replace 200,000 firewood heaters with more energy-efficient heaters, resulting in reduced emissions and improved indoor air quality |
| Severe air pollution episodes | Between 1 April and 29 June 2017, these were 45% lower in main cities of the centre-south region compared to 2016 |
| Air pollution in Santiago | Despite interventions, current PM2.5 levels still surpass the 20 μg/m3 Chilean standard and the WHO's 10 μg/m3 annual standard |
| Electric buses | Santiago has the second-largest fleet of electric buses in the world, with a goal of deploying 2,000 by 2025 |
| Water pollution | Chile needs water conservation and reuse technologies, especially for grey waters from households and mining |
| Soil pollution | Groundwater extraction, agriculture, livestock farming, tree felling, urban expansion, wildfires, desertification, and erosion have led to soil loss and deterioration |
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What You'll Learn
Chile's firewood heater replacement programme
Chile has been taking steps to combat air pollution, which costs the health sector at least $670 million every year and causes over 4,000 premature deaths. In 2014, the Chilean government launched a programme to replace 200,000 firewood heaters with more energy-efficient alternatives. This programme, known as Chile's Firewood Heater Replacement Programme, specifically targeted the centre-south region of the country, where fine particulate matter can be higher than in cities like Santiago due to the extensive use of firewood for heating.
The programme offered residents several options for replacing their old firewood heaters:
- Kerosene vented heaters
- Pellet heaters
- LPG heaters
- Certified wood-burning heaters
The use of pellet heaters and kerosene vented heaters has been found to significantly reduce both firewood consumption and outdoor emissions of particulate matter. Kerosene vented heaters, in particular, are considered efficient in economic terms. On the other hand, certified wood-burning heaters have been shown to have little impact on reducing firewood consumption or emissions.
The Firewood Heater Replacement Programme has had positive outcomes, with residents reporting improved living conditions and reduced air pollution in their communities. For example, Ramón Soto Vidal, who received a paraffin heater, shared that the new heater was not only cheap but also contributed to reducing air pollution. Similarly, Raquel Fuica from Osorno, a city in the centre-south region, expressed her satisfaction with the cleaner alternative, highlighting the impracticality and pollution caused by firewood.
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The Breathe Life Campaign
Chile has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Breathe Life Campaign. Santiago has been leading the way with its Santiago Respira campaign since 2014, which aims to decrease global emissions of particulate matter by 60%. Chile has also been trying to reduce energy use in homes, one of the country's main sources of short-lived climate pollutants, as part of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition since 2012. This is an international voluntary alliance hosted by UN Environment, comprising governments, international organizations, and businesses with the goal of reducing methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbon emissions.
In 2014, the Chilean government launched a program in the center-south region to replace 200,000 firewood heaters with more energy-efficient heaters, such as new gas, paraffin, or wood pellet-based heaters. This has resulted in a reduction in emissions and improved indoor air quality. The government also subsidizes insulation in low and middle-income households as part of a program that attempts to annually improve the housing conditions of 100,000 families.
In addition to these efforts, Chile has committed to reducing short-lived climate pollutants as part of its contribution to the Paris Agreement. The government has also managed to reduce pollution through taxation, such as a 2014 vehicle emissions tax that saw emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide decrease.
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Taxation on vehicle emissions
Chile has been taking several measures to fight pollution and is recognised as a regional leader in the fight against global warming. In 2014, Chile passed a significant tax reform that included the introduction of three new environmental taxes: a carbon tax, a tax for local pollutants, and a tax for new vehicles. This marked a crucial step towards strengthening the country's environmental framework and empowering environmental authorities to fulfil their obligations more effectively.
The vehicle emissions tax, implemented in 2014, played a pivotal role in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. This tax was structured based on vehicle emissions, specifically targeting new car purchases. The taxation was determined by the levels of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Field Electron (FE) emissions, as indicated by Fuel Economy labelling information. This initiative was a direct outcome of the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) Chile Pilot project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The introduction of the vehicle emissions tax was part of Chile's broader commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2005 and 2010, the Chilean domestic vehicle fleet experienced an average growth rate of 13%, with a significant increase in the segment of larger vehicles such as light-duty trucks and SUVs. Additionally, diesel technology vehicles gained a stronger foothold in the market, accounting for 21% of total sales in 2010. This shift in the automotive landscape led to a reduction in average CO2 emissions but also resulted in a notable surge in NOx emissions.
To address these evolving challenges, the GFEI project activities have been instrumental in supporting ongoing improvements in vehicle efficiency across Chile. These efforts align with the country's goal of narrowing the CO2 emission gap with more developed nations like Japan and those within the European Union. By focusing on both carbon emissions and local pollutants, Chile has reinforced its dedication to climate action and the development of comprehensive policy tools.
While Chile has made significant strides in combating pollution through taxation on vehicle emissions, there is still room for enhancement. The current green tax on carbon emissions from stationary sources is relatively low compared to international standards, and an increase in tax coverage and rates may be necessary to achieve the nation's ambitious climate goals. Nonetheless, any strengthening of the carbon tax should be undertaken gradually, taking into account the fluctuations in energy prices on a global scale.
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The Climate and Clean Air Coalition
Chile has been part of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition since 2012. The Coalition is an international voluntary alliance hosted by UN Environment, comprising governments, international organizations, and businesses. Its goal is to reduce methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbon emissions.
Chile has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Breathe Life Campaign, a joint initiative led by the World Health Organization, UN Environment, and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. The campaign aims to mobilize cities and individuals to protect their health and the planet's health from the effects of air pollution. The main goal is to achieve the World Health Organization's air quality targets by 2030.
Santiago has been at the forefront of these efforts with its Santiago Respira campaign, ongoing since 2014. The campaign aims to decrease global emissions of particulate matter by 60%. In 2017, the cities of Chiguayante, Hualqui, and Concepción joined BreatheLife. Concepción launched a pollution monitoring system and focused on clean energy and improved waste management, while Hualqui installed local air quality monitoring stations.
Chile has also been taking steps to reduce energy use in homes, one of the country's main sources of short-lived climate pollutants. In 2014, the government launched a program to replace 200,000 firewood heaters with more energy-efficient alternatives, resulting in reduced emissions and improved indoor air quality. Additionally, a vehicle emissions tax implemented in 2014 led to a 30% drop in emissions between 2015 and 2016, showcasing the country's commitment to reducing pollution through taxation.
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The Plans of Prevention and Decontamination of Atmospheric Pollution
Chile has been actively tackling the issue of air pollution, which has been a significant concern in the country. The country's commitment to the Breathe Life Campaign, a joint initiative by the World Health Organization, UN Environment, and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition, demonstrates its dedication to improving air quality. As part of this initiative, Santiago, the capital city, has been at the forefront with its Santiago Respira campaign, aiming for a substantial reduction in global emissions.
To address the harmful effects of air pollution, Chile created the "Plans of Prevention and Decontamination of Atmospheric Pollution," which has resulted in notable improvements. By the end of 2018, 20 decontamination plans were facilitated, significantly reducing particulate matter (PM 2.5) in 14 cities, including a remarkable 71% decrease in Santiago. These plans are tailored to the specific challenges faced by different regions, with a focus on promoting sustainable transportation, regulating efficient engines, implementing emission control measures, and developing green spaces.
In recent years, Chile has taken several concrete actions to combat air pollution. In 2014, the government launched a program to replace 200,000 firewood heaters with more energy-efficient alternatives, such as gas, paraffin, or wood pellet-based heaters. This initiative reduced emissions and improved indoor air quality, especially in the centre-south region. Additionally, the government has provided subsidies for insulation in low and middle-income households, benefiting 100,000 families annually.
Chile has also addressed transportation-related pollution by introducing a 2014 vehicle emissions tax, promoting electric vehicles, and deploying electric buses. The city of Santiago now has the second-largest fleet of electric buses globally. Furthermore, the country has joined international alliances like the Independent Association of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC) and actively participates in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, working towards reducing methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbon emissions.
The Extended Producer Responsibility Law (Law 20.920, or Ley REP) is another crucial initiative. This law mandates manufacturers and importers to recycle specific products, sets waste collection goals, and promotes recycling among the Chilean industry and population. Chile is also focusing on water conservation and management, especially in the agriculture sector, and is committed to achieving the World Health Organization's air quality targets by 2030.
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Frequently asked questions
Chile has been working to reduce air pollution since at least 2012, when it joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. Since then, it has implemented a range of measures, including:
- Taxation on vehicle emissions
- Replacing 200,000 firewood heaters with more energy-efficient heaters
- Joining the Breathe Life Campaign
- Adopting Euro VI emissions standards for its public transportation system
- Expanding its fleet of electric buses
- Creating a publicly accessible database on emissions, waste, and transfers of contaminants
The Breathe Life Campaign is a joint initiative led by the World Health Organization, UN Environment, and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition. Its main goal is to achieve the World Health Organization's air quality targets by 2030.
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition is an international voluntary alliance hosted by UN Environment, comprising governments, international organizations, and businesses. Its goal is to reduce methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbon emissions. Chile has been a member since 2015 and has found that integrating action on climate and clean air has been particularly effective.
Air pollution in Chile has improved in recent years, with severe air pollution episodes in the main cities of the center-south region being 45% lower between April 1 and June 29, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. However, air pollution still costs the health sector at least $670 million per year and is the root cause of 127,000 emergency health consultations and over 4,000 premature deaths.
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