Alban Thomas is a Senior Researcher and the head of the Social Science Division at INRA (French Institute for Agricultural Research). An environmental and agricultural economist, his research topics include the empirical analysis of environmental impacts from agriculture, the evaluation of environmental policies, water use and tariff design, and the adoption of innovative agricultural systems. He has co-ordinated several scientific expertises on water and the environment for ministries and international institutions (World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Economic Research Forum). He is the co-ordinator of the interdisciplinary Inra-Cirad ten-year programme GloFoodS on transitions towards global food security.
Vehicle exhaust fumes are a major cause of air pollution in megacities like Cairo. This column outlines the policies that the Egyptian authorities have introduced in an effort to cut emission rates and raise the costs to users of polluting vehicles. Air pollution has been reduced but much remains to be done, notably investing in an effective public transport system.