Policy Analysis & Reporting

Analysis and reporting of GHG and AQ policies

Air pollutant and greenhouse gas inventories and projections provide a baseline and possible future policy scenarios. Aether’s expertise in data gathering, analysis and modelling helps our customers understand the level of action required to meet emissions targets, and to monitor progress and effectiveness of policies.

Supporting international reporting

There are multiple requirements for international reporting of policies and measures. Aether has been involved in depeveloping the guidance for many of these. We offer support in the preparation and reporting of climate and air pollution policies.

EU Member States are required to report information of policies and measures, and projections, regarding climate change every two years under the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action (Regulation (EU) 2018/1999). Aether has been involved in the development of guidelines for Member States for reporting policies and measures under the Governance Regulation (and previously, under the Monitoring Mechanism Regulation), and evaluation of the data submitted. Under the global Paris Agreement (Article 13 on “Transparency”) Parties are required to provide concise information on their climate action and demonstrate that they have the capacity and systems in place to track progress.

Aether is also supporting EU Member States and the European Environment Agency on the analysis and reporting of information on their policies that reduce national air pollution emissions, as required under the National Emissions Ceiling Directive (European Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1522).

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Impacts of policies and measures

We provide qualitative and quantitative analysis of policies and actions. Qualitative assessment can focus on the coherence, needs, objectives, external factors, inputs and outputs and wider impacts. Quantitative analysis can provide estimates of ex-ante or ex-post emissions savings, as well as costs and savings.

Our analysis provides information on the sectors where further action is required, and can provide the evidence needed to engage stakeholders in defining and implementing action. Projections link closely to the analysis of impacts of actions, policies and measures. Data on the impacts of policies and measures planned or in place should be used as input into forecasting calculations to illustrate scenarios of possible future trends to help establish achievable targets. 

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Case studies

Developing a comprehensive approach to nitrogen in the UK

Aether, alongside project partners the Stockholm Environment Institute, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, and Plantlife International, undertook a study for WWF of the nitrogen cycles and pathways in the UK and reviewed existing strategies and policies that could affect the balance of nitrogen in the environment.

Support to the European Environment Agency

Aether has been providing support to the European Environment Agency through their European Topic Centres since 2014, focussing on air pollution, industrial pollution and climate change mitigation.

EU Forest Reference Levels

Aether provided support to the European Commission and the LULUCF Expert Group in the technical assessment of EU Member State's National Forestry Accounting Plans.

Merton Council Climate Emergency Support

Aether and SE2 supported Merton Council in developing their action plan to meet targets to decarbonise the Council by 2030 and the borough of Merton by 2050

Lewisham Route to Neutral

Support to Lewisham Council to define the route to carbon neutral for the Borough

Irish Environmental Protection Agency

Aether supports the Irish Environmental Protection Agency with the preparation and submission of Ireland's National Emissions Inventory of Greenhouse Gases under the EU Monitoring Mechanism and Air Quality Pollutants under the National Emissions Ceiling Directive.

Luxembourg Climate Action: Stakeholder engagement and reporting Portal

Aether developed an innovative online platform, or Portal, for gathering, analysing and reporting Luxembourg’s climate policies and measures. The Portal acts as a central point for stakeholder engagement and keeps a live master list of national climate actions, with associated impact and cost analysis.

Emission Inventory Support for Environment Agency of Iceland

Aether is supporting the Environment Agency of Iceland in the compilation of its greenhouse gas and air quality emissions inventories as well as projections and policies and measures. We are helping to ensure that Iceland’s inventory is robust and of high quality.

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it...

“The professional service provided by your company was of very high quality and completed within agreed timelines.”

Matthew Dudley, UNFCCC Secretariat

“The support provided by Aether for this project was especially remarkable considering the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tools and methods used in order to engage local stakeholders really added value to the capacity building of the national team.”

Shanna Emmanuel, Saint Lucia BUR Project Coordinator

“Aether delivered training workshops and generated learning materials for our SSN members, providing technical content in a manageable and comprehendible format. We particularly benefitted from their extensive knowledge and ability to interpret the needs of our members into the training materials.”

Jennifer Anderson, Sustainable Scotland Network

“Aether was a great asset in involving/engaging with Member States experts on highly technical subjects regarding GHG reporting. Very clear communication of issues and results.”

Andreas Pilzecker, DG CLIMA

“The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional.”

Clare Bayley, Defra

“Aether is a great partner for work in the area of European Air Emissions. The team was committed, reliable, well organised and had a deep technical understanding and motivated other partners with their good spirit.”

Umweltbundesamt: Environment Agency Austria

“It is always an absolute pleasure working with Aether. I always know what is expected of me. Their work ethic is of a very high standard and projects are always handled in a very professional manner. I have learnt many skills in terms of project management, quality control and workshop training styles from Aether and I hope to carry these principles forward in my own work. I look forward to collaborating with Aether more in the future.”

Luanne Stevens, Gondwana

“It has been a pleasure to work with Chris Dore and Richard Claxton from Aether: they did their job in a very professional and timely manner. The workshop was organized and carried out in a cooperative spirit; the information provided to the workshop participants was complete and clear.”

Alina Novikova, UN/ECE Secretariat

“We have been collaborating with Aether for several years, and our projects have greatly benefited from it. Aether staff are very knowledgeable, professional and flexible - and last but not least, very friendly and a pleasure to work with.”

Umhverfisstofnun, Environment Agency of Iceland

“The team at Aether works very professionally and communicates very well which makes working with them a pleasure. Outputs are delivered on time to high quality. The team brings the rigour of technical knowledge and expertise and finds innovative ways of communicating complex messages. I would be happy to recommend the Aether team to organisations working on analysing and presenting emissions information in the public domain.”

Fiona Glover, States of Jersey

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