Some Recent Key Findings of AIR's Research
Sources of air pollution in developing countries
A new method developed by the Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG) Program offers an unconventional perspective on the origin of harmful pollution, especially in urban areas in developing countries. The findings show that beyond vehicle emissions or household fuels, any (cost-) effective intervention strategy will need to addresses the socioeconomic complexities of a wide range of other economic sectors, not least agriculture. More
Non-CO2 gases and ambitious climate targets
In view of the global climate targets that were agreed in Paris in 2015, the Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG) Program revisited the feasibility and economics of achieving deep cuts in non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis revealed much higher emissions from global oil production and extended shale gas extraction than previously thought. More
Nitrogen management and inequality among farmers
Modeling by the Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG) Program has shown that efforts to reduce the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) precursor emissions will not deliver the expected drop in air pollution unless a reduction of agricultural ammonia (NH3) emissions is achieved. More
Global air pollution
The Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG) Program takes a unique systems perspective that integrates physical, social, economic, and policy aspects of air quality management. In 2015, the program introduced these aspects into numerous new policy and scientific initiatives that address the role of air quality management for improving human wellbeing and contribute to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. More
From hemispheric pollution to air quality in street canyons
The Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG) Program has developed a new method that assigns particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to emission sources at the different scales of origin. This work allowed the implications of the recent emission scandal on local air quality to be quantified. More
A new understanding of the sources of pollution from particulate matter in cities
A new methodology to determine the sources of population exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban areas was finalized and published. More
Policy interventions of future emissions
In 2014 the Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG) Program completed a new generation of projections of global future air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions that outline the impacts of future policy decisions. More
Interactions between emission controls of air pollutants, long-lived greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants
In 2014 the Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG) Program continued the analyses of the mitigation potentials and co-benefits of specific emission control options. More
More than 80% of world population are exposed to harmful air pollution
- More than 80% of the world’s population is currently exposed to ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter above the WHO Air Quality Guideline value, while more than 30% also exceed the WHO Interim Target-Tier 1 level.- 3.3 billion people were estimated to use solid fuel for cooking in 2005 in Sub Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Pacific Asia, leading to high exposure to indoor air pollution.- Global health impacts from outdoor air pollution in 2005 are estimated at 2.7 million annual deaths and 23 million annual disability adjusted life years (DALYs).- 2.1 million annual deaths and 41.6 million annual DALYs lost due to solid fuel use and related indoor smoke in developing countries. More
A small set of measures could improve human health, food security and reduce near-term warming
Global implementation of 17 well-proven measures could reduce global warming by up to 0.5 degrees in the coming decades.At the same time, these measures would avoid millions of premature deaths annually, and increase crop yields. These measures target emissions of black carbon and methane. More
Technologies are available to reduce non-CO2 emissions in the EU by up to 50% in 2050
Key findingsTechnologies are available to reduce non-CO2 emissions in the EU by up to 50% between 2005 and 2050.With current policies, non-CO2 GHG emissions of the EU-27 are likely to decline by between 26 and 44 percent between 2005 and 2050 depending on the future carbon price level.The additional potential for low cost mitigation of non-CO2 GHGs in the EU in 2050 comes primarily from reduction in N2O emissions from soils and control of HFC emissions from refrigeration in commercial and industry sectors. More
The GAINS model helps decision makers to understand the impacts of future action - or inaction - and to design strategies to achieve long-term environmental targets at least cost.
The GAINS integrated assessment model for air pollution control has been applied in European negotiations to identify the least-cost emission control measures that achieve air quality targets. Air quality will improve up to 2020, but threats to human health and environment will persist. Cost-effective measures are available to further protect living conditions and the environment. More