Motor Vehicle Air Pollution in Greece—Programs and Policies

The purpose of this paper is to survey the environmental problems in Greece caused by road vehicles, to review the actions taken and planned in the last decade by the competent authorities against pollution and to identify the effectiveness of these actions to prevent and reduce atmospheric pollution caused by road vehicles. The major reference is to Athens where the environmental problems were firstly experienced. Where it is possible reference is made to the country as a whole. Setting environmental standards, application of vehicle inspection programs, development of public transport and infrastructure, traffic management schemes, 5-years environmental plans, urban planning and research are the main sectors of action and concern.