Particulates: Where is the current policy emphasis in the EU CAFE Programme?

1. Particulates: Where is the current policy emphasis in the EU CAFE Programme? A contribution to the panel discussion “Nanoparticles from road vehicle exhaust: An artifact or a reality?” Les White, PARTICULATES Meeting 11-12 September 2003 Lemnos

2. An Overview of CAFE- Clean Air For Europe • Thematic strategy aimed at addressing residual air quality related concerns in the EU; Main emphases • Acidification/Eutrophication • Ozone • Fine particulate matter • Comprehensive programme embracing: • The establishement or revision of environmental targets (Based on WHO and UN-ECE CCE) • The assessment of the “attainment gap” between current policy and revised targets • The design of cost-effective policies to close these gaps • Essentially an “environmental quality” driven approach utilising: • Complex AQ modelling (regional and urban scales) • Integrated Assessment Modelling for least-cost attainment of targets • Builds on Auto-Oil and NECD experience • Programme launched in June 2001 with technical phase to be completed by end 2005

3. The CAFE Process Define Base Case Measures Including National and Local Cost and Emissions Reduction Data for All Available Measures e.g., Cost Curves Air Quality Targets Health and Environmental Effects Review Including Cost Benefit Analysis Disaggregated Reference Year & Future Emission Inventory Data Target Critical Loads Integrated Assessment Modeling at Combined Urban and Regional Scale Target Critical Levels Combined Urban & Regional Scale Modeling (including secondary PM) Development of Source-Receptor functions for IAM Base Case 2010/2020 Least Cost Additional Measures to Meet Targets Validation With Full Model Air Quality Data Validation With Measurement Data Euro-Wide Measures New NECs Local Measures Deposition Data Uncertainty Analysis Policy Guidance (4Q05)

4. Current Emphasis in “Toolmaking” for PM Assesment within CAFE • WHO preliminary report focuses on mass as does Commission WG on PM • Long range transport models and urban scale models within programme timescale will not utilise “under development” algorithms to output patrticulate number/size distribution but will be confined to mass • Impact assessment capability within IAM confined to long term exposure to PM (ie., annual mean concentrations)-Emphasises long range transport • Practical task of building “source-receptor” functions from multiple AQ model runs (regional and urban scale) at this relatively simple level, already represents a significant time challenge! • Current assumption that all contributers to PM concentrations of have same health impact • Given high contribution of secondary PM to overall levels (apart from street canyons) this will bias policy toward SO2, NO2 and possibly NH3 controls especially given synergy with residual concerns over acidification/eutrophication • Above suggests PARTICULATES is unlikely to have a direct influence on CAFE policy round, However: • Individual MS pressures for “BAT” on diesel vehicles whatever the outcome of CAFE may find further support from project with appeal to “precautionary principle”