2nd plenary, Ispra 18 November 2009 FAIRMODE Guidance on the use of models for the European air quality directive Bruce Denby Contributing authors Bruce Denby, Steinar Larssen, Cristina Guerreiro, Liu Li, John Douros, Nicolas Moussiopoulos, Lia Fragkou, Michael Gauss, Helge Olesen, Ana Isabel Miranda, Emilia Georgieva, Panagiota Dilara, Sari Lappi, Laurence Rouil, Anke Lükewille, Xavier Querol, Fernando Martin, Martijn Schaap, Dick van den Hout, Andrej Kobe 2nd plenary, Ispra 18 November 2009

Content Aim of the model guidance document Relation to other guidance documents Status Content of the document Some examples from the document Comments from the review Time table

Aim of the guidance document To provide guidance on the application of models in regard to the European air quality directive To provide a centralised forum and reference point for modelling in Europe To promote best practices in air quality modelling and assessment

Relation to other documents EC currently developing a new package of guidance documents New guidance on assessment (to replace 2000 Document) Winter sanding/salting Natural contributions PM2.5 common stations Monitoring QA/QC Guidance to the questionnaire Guidance on AQ planning Should harmonise with and compliment these guidance documents

Status of version 4.2 Currently structurally complete (if not finalised) Guidance on interpretation of the Directive in regard to modelling is complete (if not finalised) Document contains a large proportion of review, supported by examples and references

What is still missing? Consensus on the interpretation of the Directive for the application of modelling Best practice examples of modelling relevant to the Directive (Annex 1) Specific guidance on modelling and quality assurance (this is the process that FAIRMODE is now undertaking) Some sections still not complete or sufficient (e.g. Chapter 6 and 7, Annex 2 and 3)

Contents 1. Introduction 2. Summary of the 2008 AQ Directive 3. Interpretation of the AQ Directive in regard to modelling 4. Reporting and public information when using models 5. Model quality assurance and evaluation 6. Applications of models for assessment 7. Application of models for air quality planning 8. Special topics Annexes 1 - 4

Contents Chapters 2 - 4

Contents Chapters 2 - 4 Frans Fierens

Contents Chapters 2 - 4

Contents Chapters 2 - 4

Contents Chapter 5

Contents Chapters 6 - 8

Contributions are still needed and welcome Contents Annex 1 Contributions are still needed and welcome

Comments from the review (1) General An ‘idiot’s user guide’ would help For the average modeller, getting input data (emissions, meteorology, scenarios) might be the most problematic modelling step, so guidance on that would be appropriated. It is clear that there is not a common view/approach as yet on a lot of issues that would enable the recommendations to be formed The guidance should help authorities to prepare terms of reference for contracts Chapter 3 (Interpretation) It seems that the interpretation of the Directive prescription for model accuracy needs more discussion

Comments from the review (2) Chapter 5 (Quality assurance) Is quite heavy and not-so user friendly On my opinion Chapter 5 interrupts the ‘flow’ of the document This chapter is impressively comprehensive in a limited space Annex 1 Case examples must be seen as examples for specific challenges to be identified rather than implicit best practice. I would hope there would be some process in place to vet the examples.

Time table in 2009 - 2010 Final update for 2009 Delivery to EEA on 11 December and publication as an ETC report Incorporating and further selecting examples Updating in regard to other guidance documents and reporting requirements Promoting the document (e.g. Harmo13) Inclusion of results and activities of WG2 e.g. SG2 recommendations on data assimilation Guidance on local scale modelling of NO2

For information and contributions contact Bruce Denby bde@nilu.no and register at: http://fairmode.ew.eea.europa.eu/

Best modelling practices FAIRMODE EIONET Model Users Other Interested Modelling experts FAIRMODE Invited EEA EC-JRC DG-ENV ETC/ACC COST actions AirBase EU projects and networks Model Documentation System EEA’s data centre Applications and excercises website WG1 Guidance on modelling WG2 Quality assurance Best modelling practices Model harmonisation Input to legislation