Devolved Administration Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Inventories

Aether leads the compilation and reporting of greenhouse gas and air pollution inventories for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as a part of its role within the wider UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory programme. These inventories are a vital evidence-base for policy makers to track progress towards emissions targets, whilst also identifying the priorities for further policy intervention on a regional level. These Devolved Administration inventories are part of the UK NAEI programme, and are compiled and published annually on the NAEI website.

The challenge

Aether is required to publish the greenhouse gas and air pollution inventories annually, following the schedule in the table below.

The Devolved Administration inventories are based principally on the UK emissions inventory, which uses a wide range of data sources and modelling techniques to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants annually to a high degree of certainty. However, many of these data sources lack enough detail to enable the direct estimate of emissions for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland individually. As a result, alternative models and calculations are required to disaggregate the UK-wide figures to each of the Devolved Administrations.

The solution

Aether staff are specialists in the preparation, management, and reporting of emissions inventories. Our team has a wealth of expertise and have significant experience in the development of inventories globally, as well as for the Devolved Administrations. We use this expertise to develop, test, and implement alternative modelling approaches to disaggregate emissions, particularly across the energy supply, domestic, industrial processes, and waste sectors. Our knowledge in this area ensures that the emissions inventories are as accurate and robust as possible. Our transparent approach to our work is appreciated by key stakeholders in each region ensuring the data is used with confidence and purpose.

The result

Aether first led on the publication of the air pollution inventory for the Devolved Administrations in 2021 (link to NAEI report), and, with the support of other members of the NAEI consortium (Ricardo Energy & Environment, UKCEH, Rothamsted Research, Forest Research, ADAS, and Gluckman Consulting) will continue to publish these inventories annually for the next three years.

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