The Task Force on Integrated Assessment Modelling (TFIAM), is a group of international scientific experts of the Air Convention*, acting under the aegis of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). After having held the key role in the Ministry of Ecological Transition for about twenty years, Ineris (represented by Simone Schucht) has been co-chairing this group with Sweden since this year.
The main objective of the TFIAM is to combine the information produced by the various scientific working groups of the Air Convention (information on emissions, air quality, impact on health and ecosystems, and the report on cost-effectiveness of mitigation measures), and to contribute, through computer models, to the development of legal instruments aimed at defining effective and equitable air pollution reduction targets. These national targets are embodied in protocols adopted by the Convention’s political bodies, which are binding for countries that ratify them.
The TFIAM Annual Meeting was held from 15 to 17 April, 2024 in Paris. Among other things, it focussed on the work priorities for the ongoing revision of the Gothenburg protocol, which aims to reduce acidifying and eutrophying air pollutants, ozone, and particulate matter. The revision was decided in December 2023 by the Executive Body (EB) of the Air Convention and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
One of the key documents drafted by the TFIAM and its technical centre (CIAM - Centre for Integrated Assessment Modelling) to inform the revision process of the Gothenburg Protocol, is the "Policy brief on potential targets to reduce risks for health and ecosystems." It presents options and modelling results for reducing risks to health and ecosystems.
The TFIAM co-chairs and head of CIAM presented the results of the “Policy Brief” as well as the requested guidelines for further analysis, to representatives of the Air Convention Parties during the annual meeting of the Working Group on Strategies and Review (WGSR), held in Geneva from May 27 to 31, 2024.
The WGSR is the principal negotiating body of the Air Convention. It assists the executive body in general policy matters, including assessing the scientific and technical activities linked to the preparation and revision of protocols, negotiating the revision of existing protocols and preparation of new protocols, reviewing the draft guideline documentation produced under individual protocols, providing a forum for reporting on strategies, policies and measures, and preparing proposals for any strategic developments under the convention. A central aspect of the 62nd meeting was the elaboration of a work plan for organising the revision of the Gothenburg protocol.
The exchanged documents and presentations are available online:
• For TFIAM
• For WGSR
(*) Air Convention: formerly Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution – CLRTAP: https://unece.org/environmental-policy-1/air
