+44 1865 259200
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.
| Reporting obligation | Publication deadline |
|---|---|
| Greenhouse gas emissions datasets for by-source, end-user, and traded / non-traded emissions | June |
| Air pollutant emissions datasets and accompanying report | September |
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.
Chris Dore
Director
Related case studies
Capacity building in Uganda for Paris Agreement Reporting
Category: National Governments
Aether, in partnership with Petromall and NEXUS International University (NIU), provided capacity building training in GHG inventory compilation in Uganda. We engaged with over 80 participants to provide interactive training courses in all inventory sectors.
Read case studyUnited Arab Emirates Air Quality Inventory
Category: National Governments, Emission Inventories
Aether, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), supported the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment (MOCCAE) to compile the first UAE air pollutant emission inventory.
Read case studyReview of inventories submitted under the National Emission Ceilings Directive
Category: National Governments, Emission Inventories
Aether has been involved in reviewing national emission inventories for more than 20 years, and provides several staff for key roles in the NEC Directive reviews.
Read case studyNews
Latest news
Posted on: 13 January 2026
Devolved Governments Air Pollutant Emissions Inventories
The air pollutant emissions inventories for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were published in September 2025. The data covers the period 2005 to 2023, for the pollutants ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, PM10, PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, and lead. In addition, experimental inventory statistics are presented for emissions of benzo[a]pyrene, dioxins and furans, and mercury.
Read full storyPosted on: 11 December 2025
Aether provided training to strengthen Government of Jersey’s climate policy modelling capacity
Aether completed a project for to train staff in Government of Jersey in using Aether's Carbon Scenario Model to quantify the carbon impacts of net zero policies. The model is a key tool for the Government of Jersey for informing policy decisions on climate actions, and other related policies.
Read full storyPosted on: 6 October 2025
Aether Experts Contribute to IPCC Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers
In the first week of October Richard Claxton and Sergii Shmarin were in Istanbul, contributing as lead authors to the upcoming IPCC Methodology Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs). SLCFs - such as black carbon, and other ozone precursors play a critical role in climate change and air quality. The new methodology report will provide essential guidance for countries to improve their emissions inventories and strengthen climate action.
Read full storyPosted on: 1 September 2025
Six new project wins for the land development services team
Aether has recently expanded its Land Development services and secured six new commissions with one of the UK’s top 14 house builders. These projects span from comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments for large-scale residential developments to focused sustainability, energy, and air quality reports for smaller schemes.
Read full storyFilter news by category
Aether Blog Air Pollution Air Quality Assessments Barriers to Net Zero Capacity Building Carbon Footprint Climate Emergency Climate Equality Climate Finance Consumption COP28 Culture Data Visualisation Economic Status Emissions Reporting European Topic Centre GHG Infrastructure Inventories Local Government Mitigation MRV National Government Net Zero Oxfam Paris Agreement Policy Recruitment Society Stakeholder Engagement Waste Sector Wider Impacts
Testimonial
