[JURIST] Italian cities Milan and Rome on Monday restricted [BBC report] the use of cars, motor cycles, and scooters as smog levels have increased. Experts believe that the unseasonably dry and calm weather contributed to the increased smog pollution. Restrictions in Milan ban motor vehicles for six hours a day over the course of the next three days. In Rome, motor vehicles with odd-numbered license plates are banned for 9 hours on Monday and even-numbered plates are banned on Tuesday. In Naples, motor vehicles not operating to Euro 4 emissions standards [Guardian report] are being restricted. The Mayor of Milan Giuliano Pisapia stated [press release, in Italian] that concerted effort is necessary to address the problem. The Italian cities exempted from the ban cars deemed to be environmentally friendly, such as those with hybrid engines, and encouraged the use of “anti-smog” all-day public transportation tickets. Drivers may incur fines for non-compliance.

According to many experts, climate change [JURIST backgrounder] as a result of global greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most pressing and controversial environmental issues facing the international community today. Earlier this month US President Barack Obama applauded [JURIST report] the new climate change agreement reached Friday at the Paris summit. In July Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced an agreement to address climate change [JURIST report]. Both countries pledged to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the use of wind and solar power sources to 20 percent of each nation’s electricity production by 2030. Brazil also pledged to help reduce the deforestation problem by restoring nearly 30 million acres of Amazon rain forest. China also announced its climate change goals in July, including reducing its adjusted carbon monoxide output by 60 percent.