Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


UN Says Poor Countries a Dumping Ground for Used Cars

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - A United Nations report finds millions of substandard cars
   that pose safety, health and environmental hazards are exported every
   year from developed countries to developing countries, largely in
   Africa.

   The U.N. Environment Program reports 14 million used cars, vans and
   minibuses were exported worldwide between 2015 and 2018. Some 80%went
   to low- and middle-income countries, with more than half going to
   Africa.

   The report says millions of used vehicles exported from Europe, the
   United States and Japan to the developing world are of poor quality and
   a major contributor to air pollution and climate change.

   The International Energy Agency reports today's global 1.1 billion
   light-duty vehicles are expected to double by 2050. UNEP Executive
   DirectorInger Andersensaidmuch of this growth will be fueled by
   imported used vehicles by developing countries.

   "But the current wave the used vehicle market operates means that
   developing countries, particularly in Africa serve as, I will say, the
   dumping ground of cars that are no longer considered safe enough or
   clean enough for developed countries," Andersen said. "This is an issue
   of fairness, of respect and of equity. And, also of course, a major
   concern for health, both human and environmental."

.