Restructuring of Eastern Europe and its possible consequences for atmospheric environment

The environmental situation in the (former) communist countries of Eastern Europe is threatening. How will the political and economical restructuring affect the environmental conditions? This article investigates the consequences for air pollution resulting from energy uses over the next 5 yr. Since abatement investments seem unfeasible (with the exception of the former GDR) financially and to some extent also technically, the assessment of energy demand is crucial. Explicitly accounting for market prices shows that emissions will substantially decline due to conservation and the substitution of the cleaner fuel natural gas for “dirty” coal.