Welcome to the Air and Climate Unit!

	Frank Dentener Unit Head (Acting)

We all want clean air: it is good for our health, agriculture, ecosystems and the climate. Despite continued efforts to reduce the emissions of harmful air pollutants, air quality remains an issue in many world regions, including Europe. Improving air quality is a complex process which involves acquiring a thorough understanding of what is causing air pollution, what can be done about it, and a prioritisation of measures to reduce air pollution.  Air pollution and climate change are connected problems: the sources of air pollutants and climate-warming greenhouse gases are often the same. Air pollution can influence climate change, and climate change can influence the levels of air pollution.

The Air and Climate Unit works on many aspects of air pollution and climate with the aim of providing integrated analysis in support of EU air quality and climate policies. We evaluate the emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants on European and global scales. We measure and model atmospheric components of relevance for human health, and how they interact with ecosystems and climate. We play a strong role in the harmonisation of monitoring and modelling techniques across Europe – this is essential in order to ensure that reliable and comparable EU air quality information is available as a basis for policy decisions. Finally, we participate in integrated assessments to support the development of air quality and climate policies that ensure the maximum benefit from the resources that are invested in creating a better environment.

The work of the Unit benefits from a strong involvement in international research projects and observation networks as well as participation in science-based assessments in the framework of UN organisations, such as the International Panel on Climate Change.

The work of the Unit is carried out through two Research Actions:

Action 24007 - AIRCLIM (Air, Climate and Human Interactions) focuses on the modelling and measurement of air pollutants in support of air quality and climate policies.

Action 24006 - BIOCLIM (Biosphere, Climate and Human interactions), hosted by the Climate Risk Management Unit, focuses on the effectiveness of EU and global policies that potentially impact the cycling of carbon and nitrogen compounds between the atmosphere and the biosphere. Specifically, Air and Climate Unit staff contribute to BIOCLIM’s measurements and modeling of greenhouse gases, their exchange with ecosystems, and to the understanding of greenhouse gas emissions.

Contact Info:

Unit Head:
Frank Dentener (Acting) - Tel.: +39-0332-786392  E-mail: frank.dentener(at)jrc.ec.europa.eu

Information Correspondent:
Elke Hanssens - Tel.: +39-0332-785026  E-mail: elke.hanssens(at)ec.europa.eu