GAINS-Europe

GAINS-Europe

The GAINS model explores synergies and trade-offs between the control of local and regional air pollution and the mitigation of global greenhouse gas emissions. Its European implementation covers 43 countries in Europe including the European part of Russia. GAINS estimates emissions, mitigation potentials and costs for the major air pollutants (SO2, NOx, PM, NH3, VOC) and for the six greenhouse gases included in the Kyoto Protocol.

Policy applications

The GAINS model and its predecessor, the RAINS model, have been applied to assist key policy negotiations on improving air quality in Europe. These include

under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution:

• the 'Second Sulfur Protocol' in 1994
• the 'Gothenburg Multi-pollutant/multi-effect Protocol' of the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution in 1999
• the review (2008) and revision of the Gothenburg protocol (2012)

for the European Union:

• the Acidification Strategy of the European Union in 1995
• the National Emission Ceilings Directive of the European Union in 2001
• the 'Clean Air for Europe' (CAFE) programme developing the EU Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution in 2005
• the revision of the National Emission Ceilings Directive (2006-2009)
• the Climate and Energy Package (2008-2009)
• The Communication of the European Commission on Options to move beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions (2010)
• The EU Roadmap for moving to a low-carbon economy in 2050 (2011)
• The review of EU air quality legislation, (2011 - 2015)
• The EU Climate and Energy Strategy for 2030
  
  This web site provides access to the information provided for these policy processes.
  
  

Last edited: 11 May 2017