2018 South America summit on vehicle emissions control: Summary report and regional workplan

The South American summit on vehicle emission control was held in Buenos Aires on September 26 and 27, 2018. It aimed to equip South American regulators with knowledge to enhance vehicle emissions compliance and enforcement practices, and to provide guidance regarding the potential adoption of programs and regulations to accelerate a transition to efficient and soot-free transport. The summit fosters regional knowledge exchange and provides a practical demonstration of international cooperation in this area. Government officials from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay participated in the summit, along with officials and experts from the United States, Canada, and the European Union, as well as representatives of academia and industry.

Joint Regional Workplan

South American countries wish to address outdoor air pollution from motor vehicles and reduce health impacts and fuel consumption. There is also a need to ensure that the environmental and social benefits provided by more stringent regulations on paper translate to real-world gains, through robust compliance and enforcement programs. The joint regional workplan developed during the meeting summarizes strategies and specific actions that South American regulators can study, develop, and implement to achieve their air-quality and social goals. The workplan serves as a guideline to strategize resources and prioritize the work ahead. The main action items are:

• Adoption of soot-free engine standards
• Improvements on fuel quality
• Developing and implementing compliance and enforcement programs
• Starting national transitions at the city level
• Address high emissions from legacy fleet