Study on non-compliance of ozone target values and potential air quality improvements in relation to ozone

Introduction Ozone precursor emissions reduced Average ozone concentration unchanged (1999-2009) Ozone concentrations have adverse health effects 17% of European citizens exposed to ozone above EU target values (2009) 95% of European citizens exposed to ozone above WHO Guidelines (2009) 1/3 of arable land in EEA Member Countries exposed to levels above EU target (2009)

Background The Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC established two target values for ozone to be met by 1 January 2010: Protection of human health:120 µg/m3 as maximum daily 8 hour mean, not to be exceeded more than 25 days per year averaged over three years Protection of vegetation: AOT40 (Accumulated Ozone over a Threshold of 40 ppb) 18,000 µg/m3-h averaged over five years. Several MS face difficulties meeting the target for protection of human health

Rational A review for the target values for ozone must consider: existing air quality situation incl. potential for reduction of emissions of ozone precursors and ozone concentrations better understanding of the excedances of target values; the current overall ozone exposure and environmental and health impacts reasons for MS difficulties or failure to comply with the ozone standard; project the compliance situation over time measures to meet both the target values and move towards long term objectives.

Objectives of the study Assess current air quality situation in relation to ozone Assess MS experiences in applying the Directive: assessing and managing ground-level ozone Evaluate analysis and monitoring techniques and requirements Effectiveness of current provisions of the Directive – lessons learned International experiences and appraoches Recommendations for improving implementation including amending the Directive if necessary

Task 1: Current air quality situation Goal: Establish the current situation in air quality for ozone Aspects: Current and historical trends and exposure. Methods: Modelling, mapping, spatial and temporal analysis Results: Air quality situation for ozone Recommendations for improvements of data, data analysis Suggestions on how to overcome gaps and weaknesses The recommendations for further work where relevant

Task 2: Assessment methodologies for ozone Goal: Evaluate feasibility and accuracy of the sampling, analytical, measuring and monitoring techniques Aspects: Data quality objectives; current methods; and the inclusion of near real-time monitoring for warning purposes Methods: Questionnaires to MS; analysis of national reporting; review of measurement techniques (current and new) Results: Recommendations based on the weaknesses and gaps in current ozone monitoring in EU Member States Recommendations for the review of the Directive by 2013

Task 3: Response to ozone exceedances Goal: Establish a clear picture of the relative significance of ozone exceedences for each country, and a ‘significance score’ allowing a prioritisation and categorisation. Aspects: Identify responses of MS; costs and effectiveness of the measures Methods: Document analysis, internet-based questionnaire, systematic, consistent analysis across MS using Results: Information on Member States' response to ozone exceedences on their territory (report)

Task 4: Factors for projected non-compliance Goal: Identify the reasons or factors responsible for projected non-compliance Aspects: disproportionate costs, organisation of management in the MS, shortcomings in the Directive, EU legislation and/or international conventions. Methods: Literature review; information from Task 1-3; case studies in approx. 5 MS for in-depth analysis and interviews Results: Identify the reasons or factors responsible for a projected non-compliance.

Task 5: International experiences and approaches Goal: Information on the management regimes for ozone outside the EU comparing with the US, Japan, China, India, Canada, and Australia. Aspects: Legislative frameworks, current status; reasons for (non-) compliance, trends in policy and lessons learned Methods: Literature review; interviews with national authorities and relevant stakeholders Results: Country and summary reports on legislative frameworks, current status, and reasons for (non-)compliance; Summary of key issues, lessons learned and good practices for the management of ground-level ozone

Task 6: Future objectives for ozone Goal: Propose future objectives based on results emerging from Tasks1-5. Aspects: i) Metrics for new standards/targets: level, binding nature, spatial and temporal aggregation; ii) Scenarios and projections linked to energy system modelling; iii) Integrated assessment of proposed, new standards Methods: Air pollution, energy system and health impact modelling; integrated assessment modelling using EVA and GAINS Results: Strengths and weaknesses of current legislation as regards ozone The cost implications for the Member States in having to comply with any new standards and the added value of new air quality objectives. Suggestions for setting up more ambitious standards taking into account all the mentioned factors.

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