kdown and the environment: the impact on air quality in Europe

Within the framework of the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, Ineris has been involved in the development and implementation of services targeted at the monitoring of the atmosphere and the forecasting of air quality in Europe for several years. This work is mainly based on the simulation tools developed by the Institute.
After having released a French version providing daily information on the effects of the lockdown on nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate concentrations, Ineris has developed a European version of the tool for Copernicus Atmosphere, managed by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF): https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/european-air-quality-information-support-covid-19-crisis
As with the French tool, an interactive interface displays the forecasts for concentrations of these two pollutants according to two scenarios: on the one hand by considering the emissions, with all activity sectors combined, estimated in a normal situation in 2020 (called the benchmark case) and on the other hand by considering a reduction in emissions associated with the lockdown (called the “Lockdown (COVID-19)” situation). The hypotheses adopted at European level are the same as those adopted for the French tool (see below).
For Copernicus Atmosphere, Ineris has also developed an online tool called CAMS_ Air Control Toolbox, a toolbox enabling users to define the emission reduction scenarios themselves and view the air quality figures given. This makes it possible for online user to test their own hypotheses for reductions or increases in emissions.

The hypotheses used to construct the Lockdown (Covid-19) scenario are different for each country and defined in line with the European estimates proposed by Copernicus.