an unusual document called the Bellagio memorandum was released recently. It comprises a set of principles to guide policies for motor vehicles and transportation fuels around the world. The memorandum is unique, as it aims at best practices to benchmark progress in emissions reduction and device strategies to catch up fast for meeting global environmental and health imperatives. "The memorandum represents a set of principles that should guide all the countries in the development of their motor vehicle pollution control efforts in the future, but especially developing countries who are in earlier stages of implementing programmes. Best practice rather than average one is clearly where we want to go,' says Michael P Walsh, the key architect of the memorandum.

The document is based on a consultation that happened at Bellagio in Italy last year under the aegis of Energy Foundation, usa. A group of regulators and experts from the us, Japan, China and different European countries, came together to draw up the principles. The principles are not part of any governmental negotiation or political process, but a product of the freethinking of a small group of progressive regulators and experts.

The memorandum is another attempt to address the dilemma of balancing globalised markets and profits with environmental goals, but with a difference. It is in sharp contrast to other approaches that are aimed at addressing the grouse of oil and automobile industries. These industries are racing to globalise, but resent the diverse policies in different countries that require them to design their products to meet various regulatory requirements, which increases their cost. The