Air Quality For All Nordic Air Quality Web Conference

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-508/ A group of Nordic air quality researchers organised 10-11th of June 2020 a web-conference on Nordic air quality research for civil servants and the general audience. The name of the conference was Air Quality For All - A Nordic air quality conference (AQ4ALL), and it included an overview of research from three air quality research programmes with active Nordic participation. Presentations were made by researchers from the Swedish Clean Air and Climate (SCAC) research programme, the Nordic-WelfAir (NWA) research project, as well as the EU-funded project Action on Black Carbon in the Arctic (EUA-BCA). The following themes were discussed: • Air quality effects on the Nordic welfare system, • Nordic air pollution and the Arctic climate – effects and solutions, • Air pollution effects on public health and the environment This report gives an overview of the key messages from the projects.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-047/ The aim of the Nor-FORCeS project “Integrating Nordic air quality and climate policies using FORCEeS” was to investigate to what extent aerosol particles and greenhouse gases contribute to climate warming in the context of the Nordic emission picture. This knowledge is necessary to meet the Paris Agreement while simultaneously addressing harmful air pollution. The project has been executed by a Nordic research team from @Stockholm University, @Finnish MeteorologicaI Institute, @CICERO and @Aarhus University and supported by grants from the Nordic Council of Ministers’ working group for Climate and Air (NKL).

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-529/ The world is under pressure. In recent times we have seen increased threats to nature, health and welfare, and society as a whole. With more than 7 million premature deaths annually and far more people suffering from poor air quality, air pollution is a global threat. The numbers are increasing and the earlier assumption that there are safe levels of air pollution is losing credibility. However, initiatives to reduce air pollution around the world are under way, and more initiatives can be added. To clarify needs for further initiatives, the Saltsjöbaden VII workshop held six main discussions with the overarching objective of clarifying if and how international science and policy cooperation can accelerate the transition to a world with less air pollution. Conclusions and recommendations from the discussions can be found in the report Air Pollution Management in a World under Pressure.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-548/ Evaluation of air quality monitoring in Nordic countries with a comparison between measurement data and the former and new WHO AQG is carried out for rural, urban background and street stations in 13 selected cities in 2021. Projection of air quality for 2030 for Nordic countries and 13 selected cities based on air quality modelling. Sector specific contribution to air quality in 2030 for the five Nordic capital cities based on air quality modelling and modelling of health effects and related external costs.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-049/ The purpose of the project is to gain a better understanding of the implications of the new WHO air quality guidelines (AQG) from 2021 in a Nordic setting. Among other things, to estimate how far Nordic countries currently are from complying with the new guidelines, and to provide a foundation for assessment of measures in the Nordic countries to achieve the new recommended WHO levels. This understanding will also serve to provide a Nordic perspective on the new proposed EU's air quality directive from 2022.

Online publication: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2020-518/ Abstract [en] The Nordic Working Group for Climate and Air (NKL) organised 19-20 November 2019 a workshop with the objective to outline its future directions and priorities within the field of air pollution. The new Programme for Nordic co-operation on the Environment and Climate 2019-2024 formed the basis for the discussions at the workshop. A conclusion from the workshop is that Nordic collaboration still is important for the development of common air pollution strategies both for direct collaboration between the countries and for taking common initiatives within international fora such as the Air Convention and the EU. The workshop report includes a list of project ideas to be considered by NKL. Health effects and role of air pollution in fulfilling the SDGs were given priority.