General information
VITO’s air quality modelling experts often support the European Commission (EC), the European Parliament and the European Environment Agency (EEA) in the evaluation, implementation, management and further development of air quality policies.
From 2018 to 2022 VITO is contributing to several consultancy studies for the EC under a number of Framework Contracts (FWC). The contracts are supporting the revision of the European Rules on Air Quality and the revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD). They build on the recent Fitness Check (2018) of the AAQDs which investigated its fitness for purpose.
VITO is primarily involved in activities aiming to strengthen EU-wide capacities on air quality monitoring, modelling and plans, to improve the overall effectiveness of the AAQ Directives’ implementation framework. In collaboration with project partners, the experts have identified the main issues hindering effective implementation of the AAQ Directives from the perspective of the use of air quality models in both air quality assessments and plans. The team are consulting with member state experts and stakeholders to seek their views and experiences on implementation of the provisions requiring air quality modelling support.
Earlier in 2018,VITO were one of the lead technical partners tasked with assessing the spatial representativeness (SR) of air quality sampling points. Based on a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder consultation, a TIER based approach was put forward to assess the SR area of monitoring stations. This TIER-ed approach acknowledges current practices in Europe in the same time identifying best practice methodologies in the higher TIER levels. The study also contributed to a better understanding of the concept of SR by putting forward a simple and transparent recipe for the estimation of the indicator. This recipe is currently begin tested by the FAIRMODE community.
To support the EEA’s knowledge base on good practice in mitigating air quality and noise, within European cities, VITO is working together with WOOD and Umweltbundesamt Austria to provide a selection of successful case studies implemented under the AAQD that led to improvement in urban air quality and reduced the adverse impacts of air pollution in cities within the EEA.
Project details
1. FWC ENV.C.3/FRA/2017/0012 - Services supporting the evaluation, implementation and further development of air quality and emissions policies
A. SR5 - Assessing the spatial representativeness of air quality sampling points
B. SR9 - Strengthening of air quality monitoring, modelling and plans under the Ambient Air Quality Directives.
2. SR28 - Study to support the impact assessment for a revision of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives under FWC ENV/F1/FRA/2019/0001 Economic Analysis of Environmental Policies and Analytical Support in the Context of Better Regulation.
3. SR3 - Review of good practices with air and noise pollution under FWC EEA/HSR/20/003 for support on the zero-pollution ambition.