1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Contents
Chapters 2 - 4

9. Contents
Chapters 2 - 4
Frans Fierens

10. Contents
Chapters 2 - 4

11. Contents
Chapters 2 - 4

12. Contents
Chapter 5

13. Contents
Chapters 6 - 8

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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. For information and contributions contact
Bruce Denby
and register at:

19. 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