Background

Already at its first meeting in Vienna in October 2000, the Task Force on Measurement and Modelling (TFMM) came up with a proposal for an EMEP Assessment Report. The basic idea of the report is to describe the development of long-range transboundary air pollution in Europe since the start of EMEP in 1977 up to present times. Over this time period, measurement and modelling techniques have improved, and along with this our knowledge about the phenomenon has vastly increased. Emissions have undergone significant changes, partly due to international agreements and partly due to technical, economic and political developments. The meteorological transport patterns over Europe have varied, with a tendency towards long-term changes. The concerns and priorities of national authorities in this area have changed as well, and new countries have joined the scene with their concerns. In different ways these developments are reflected in the measurement data collected within EMEP over this time period. The challenge is to, as far as possible, utilize this unique data set to reveal the information it contains.

The planning of the Assessment Report was carried forward at the second meeting of the Task Force in Portoroz in Slovenia (30 May to 1 June 2001). At its twenty-fifth session in September 2001, the Steering Body of EMEP took note, in particular, of the progress in preparing the Assessment Report, expressing its gratitude to all national experts contributing to the work. In December 2001, the Executive Body expressed its support for the preparation of the Assessment Report and called upon parties to contribute to the work planned (ECE/EB.AIR/75, paragraph 57 (h) ). The latest review of the work on the Assessment Report can be found in the Chapter I of the report of the Task Force on Measurements and Modelling (EB.AIR/GE.1/2002/4).



Objectives and outline of the report

The report will consist of two parts, Part 1 focusing on an overall European perspective and Part 2 containing national or regional assessments. Part 1 will be based on the material in Part 2, as well as on the work carried out at the EMEP centres. Part 2 will be written by national experts, in consultation with the EMEP centres. A number of experts have offered to contribute to Part 1 or Part 2.

As discussed at the EMEP Steering Body, the report is intended to cover all substantive areas of work, with the intention that Parties provide assessments on:

  1. the results of emission reduction measures within the country and internationally;

  2. the present status in relation to the desired environmental quality;

  3. the need for further action to reduce pollution levels.

(EB.AIR/GE.1/2001/2, paragraph 61.)

In general, Parties might wish to focus their reporting on the environmental problems within EMEP of most importance to them.

Tentatively, the Structure of the report can be outlined as follows:



Part 1, Overall European Perspective

Introduction

- The regional air pollution problems and international strategies to abate them

The environmental problems:

For each of the environmental problems an analysis of its major characteristics will be given, as well as a description of how the problem has developed over time.



Part 2, The development in individual countries

It is anticipated that the contributions from each of the Parties might have a somewhat different emphasis, and reflect the issues they consider to be of most importance. Each of these contributions should, however, take the measurements submitted to EMEP and trend analysis of these data as a starting point. An Excel template has been made available to facilitate the trend analysis (Data & Tools). If other measurements are available, these can also be used in the analysis, but in this case information on the quality of the additional data should be provided. Before trend analysis is carried out, it is important that the measured data undergo a final check. This check should be made in consultation with the Chemical Coordinating Centre (CCC) of EMEP. The measurement database at the CCC should be updated accordingly.

In their analysis, Parties should try to address the points (i), (ii) and (iii) above. In addressing (i) one can keep in mind that changes in concentrations and depositions can be caused both by emission changes and by changes in meteorological variables such as transport patterns, precipitation amounts and mixing conditions. It is therefore important to try and separate, as far as possible, the effect of meteorological changes from the effect of emission changes. To support such an analysis, information on transport patterns (daily transport sectors for EMEP measurement stations, monthly and annual trajectory crossing diagrams) have been made available (see Data&Tools).

Considering the information available to the Parties, there are a number of different analysis possibilities. Partly they will contribute to the identification of the effect emission changes as compare to changes in meteorological parameters, partly they will give additional information. For example one can think of analysing:

There are numerous other possibilities, these are just given as examples and possible inspiration for further/ better ideas.

Parties may report individually as well as by contributing to regional reports where they cooperate with other Parties, preferably with reasonably similar environmental concerns.