EMEP

EMEP stands for the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme. It is a scientific program established in 1977 under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe as part of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). The program was created to provide reliable data, monitoring, and analysis on transboundary air pollution in Europe and nearby regions to inform policy and emission reduction efforts.

EMEP conducts its work through a combination of ambient air measurements, emission inventories, and numerical modeling. It operates a network of observation stations and collects data on pollutants such as sulfur and nitrogen compounds, ozone precursors, particulate matter, heavy metals, and certain persistent organic pollutants. The program also develops and applies chemical transport models to simulate the atmospheric fate and transport of pollutants across a pan-European region, supporting interpretation of observations and scenario analysis.

The outputs of EMEP include regular assessments of long-range transport of air pollutants, emission inventory data, and model-based scenario results. These products support CLRTAP governance and inform international and national policy decisions aimed at reducing environmental damage from air pollution. EMEP assessments contribute to broader UNECE environmental reporting and to policy instruments under the Gothenburg Protocol and related agreements.

Governance and access: EMEP operates under the umbrella of the UNECE and CLRTAP, with participation from national environmental authorities, research institutions, and international partners. Data centers and model outputs are made available to member states and the public to facilitate transparency, science-based policy making, and international cooperation on air quality and environmental protection.