Resources

Making climate change a non-negotiable aspect of national planning policy: A Green Paper

Aether

October 2024

This green paper has been developed by Aether to highlight the need for reform in national planning policy and the institutions that support it to address the climate emergency effectively.

Guidance on limits of freight train trailing length as governed by tractive effort (T1302)

Rail Safety & Standards Board

February 2024

Aether contributed to a RSSB project led by Railfreight Consulting to develop a new methodology for calculating maximum trailing loads for freight trains. This project developed an updated methodology for calculating maximum loads, modelling the forces acting on a train as it travels along the route, taking account of track gradient, line speed, loading, and the individual characteristics of locomotive and wagons.

Driving emission reductions through the public sector supply chain: Scope 3 procurement emissions

ClimateXChange

December 2023

Aether contributed to an analysis of procurement (scope 3) emissions reporting in the Scottish public sector, as summarised in this ClimateXChange report for the Scottish Government. This report aims to demonstrate approaches and tools available to Scottish public bodies to understand and report their supply chain emissions and provide options for action to improve supply chain reporting across the public sector.

Review of the Human Health and Environmental Impacts of Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Malt Whisky Maturation in Scotland

Scottish Government

August 2023

Review of the human health and environmental impacts of non-methane volatile organic compound emissions from malt whisky maturation facilities.

Integrating Air Pollution and Short-Lived Climate Pollutants into Climate Change Transparency Frameworks: A Practical Guide

ICAT and CCAC

May 2023

This guide shows how methods and approaches used for tracking progress and evaluating policies and measures on climate change and air pollution can be effectively integrated.

Freight Expectations: How rail freight can support Britain's economy and environment

Rail Partners

March 2023

Working with partners Railfreight Consulting and the University of Hull, Aether carried out cutting-edge research on the current and future environmental and economic benefits of rail freight. That research underlies this report published by Rail Partners who represent private sector stakeholders in Great Britain’s rail industry.

Assessment of the potential of sustainable fuels in transport

European Parliament

March 2023

This study provides the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) with an assessment of the potential of sustainable fuels to decarbonise the transport sector, and help the sector achieve the 2050 decarbonisation goals.

Aether White Paper - Are we getting Net Zero wrong?

March 2023

This paper sets out Aether's observations on the barriers to society meeting its obligations to mitigate the impacts of human-influenced climate change.

Guidance on the Limits of Freight Train Trailing Length as Governed by Coupler Strength

Rail Safety & Standards Board

July 2022

Aether has contributed to research on the feasibility of longer train lengths for freight services, as published by RSSB in this new report, including assessment of the impact of longer train lengths on emissions and fuel consumption.

Improved emissions mapping across the GB rail network

Rail Safety & Standards Board

June 2022

This paper, presented at the 2022 World Congress on Railway Research, describes the methodology used to develop the RSSB rail emissions mapping tool and some of the new insights that can be gained from improved emissions estimates.

Performance Requirements and Testing Protocols for Emissions Mitigations – Testing Protocol

Rail Safety & Standards Board

May 2022

This report presents a Testing Protocol for assessing rail engine emissions in a consistent way so that results from different testing sessions can be compared and the most effective mitigation options can be understood.

Performance requirements and testing protocols for emissions mitigations – Methodology Report

Rail Safety & Standards Board

May 2022

This report describes the objectives and the underlying methodology and data used to develop a rail emissions testing protocol, which is published in a separate document.

Wider Impacts of Climate Action in Luxembourg

Government of Luxembourg

February 2022

This report aims to increase the understanding of the potential wider impacts of Luxembourg’s actions to tackle climate change as well as barriers to implementing effective climate action with minimal negative wider impacts. The work links together Luxembourg’s reported climate actions with the ten priorities set out in Luxembourg 2030: 3rd National Plan for Sustainable Development.

Review of emissions mitigation measures and retrofit approval schemes

Rail Safety & Standards Board

February 2022

This review provides key background for the development of a rail emissions testing protocol for RSSB. A separate review of ‘off-engine’ measures is also presented, along with key recommendations for evaluating these types of measures.

Nitrogen: Finding The Balance Towards a Comprehensive Approach to Nitrogen in the UK

WWF

January 2022

The report highlights the environmental and health impacts of nitrogen misuse in the UK, stemming largely from industrialised food systems. It proposes comprehensive measures to reduce nitrogen use and waste, emphasising the need for coordinated policies and actions across sectors to address climate, air, water, and nature impacts.

Agricultural climate mitigation policies and measures: good practice, challenges, and future perspectives

European Environment Agency

December 2021

This report explores which agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation policies and measures (PaMs) are implemented and planned by Member States, why they have not effectively reduced overall emissions in recent years, and what further action is needed to help meet EU emissions targets.

Overview of national GHG policies in Europe

European Environment Agency

December 2021

This report presents a synthesis of the information on national climate change mitigation policies and measures (PaMs) and national systems for policies and measures and projections reported by EU Member States under the EU Governance Regulation and its Implementing Regulation.

Air pollution policies and measures reported under the National Emissions reduction Commitments Directive (NECD)

European Environment Agency

December 2021

This short report describes the main characteristics of the Member States’ additional air pollutant PaMs reported through the EEA PaM tool as required by Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of national emission of certain atmospheric pollutants (the ‘NECD’), since 2020.

Air Quality Pollutant Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2005-2019

Defra/BEIS

September 2021

This report presents air pollutant emissions inventories for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, for the period 2005 to 2019. This forms part of Aether’s contribution to the wider National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory programme.

Carbon sequestration and the role of soil and crops

Government of Jersey

October 2020

This report covers the calculation methodologies, scale and potential of carbon sequestration in Jersey, and explains the role of carbon storage and management in the context of Jersey's GHG emissions inventory.

Fleet-Wide Assessment of Rail Emissions Factors

Rail Safety & Standards Board

June 2020

This report presents a granular approach to estimating real world rail emissions that enables evaluation of the impact of rail emissions on local air quality, and of the effectiveness of different approaches to reducing rail emissions (RSSB project T1187).

Fleet-Wide Assessment of Rail Emissions Factors – Emission Scenarios Report

Rail Safety & Standards Board

June 2020

This report is an output from the RSSB T1187 project on emission factors, part of the RSSB Clear Air Research (CLEAR) programme. It uses emission factors as a function of notch for four major GB train classes to demonstrate the impacts of different journey scenarios on emissions of NOx, PM and CO2.

Climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector in Europe

European Environment Agency

September 2019

This report identifies key current climate change problems for agriculture in the EU and the outlook for the years ahead. It also gives an overview of how EU policies and programmes address climate change adaptation and includes examples of feasible and successful adaptation actions.

Unequal exposure and unequal impacts: social vulnerability to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures in Europe

European Environment Agency

February 2019

This report assesses inequalities in the exposure to and health impacts of selected environmental health hazards (air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures) on European society and discusses how these are addressed in policy and practice.

Air Pollution Exposure in London: Impact of the LES

Greater London Authority

January 2019

The research described in this report considers air pollution exposure in London between 2013 and 2030 and considered how the London Environment Strategy will impact exposure by indicators of relative deprivation and ethnic groups in London.

Policies and measures on renewable heating and cooling in Europe

European Environment Agency

January 2019

Aether produced this Eionet report with VITO for the European Environment Agency. It explores the impact of decarbonisation policy and measures in the heating and cooling sector.

Electric vehicles from life cycle and circular economy perspectives

European Environment Agency

November 2018

This report, part of the Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM), documents an electric vehicle life cycle assessment and considers the circular economy aspects in relation to key environmental impacts.: climate change, health impacts and ecosystem impacts.

Overview of Low-Carbon Development Strategies in European Countries

European Environment Agency

November 2018

An Eionet report for the European Environment Agency researching the status of EU Member State’s Low Carbon Development Strategies required for the 2011 Cancun Agreements under the UNFCCC.

The Future of Road Transport Emissions Regulation in the UK after Brexit

FIA Foundation

October 2018

A report, written for the FIA Foundation by Aether, shows that potential changes to the vehicle emissions regime after Brexit could pose real risks to public health, as well as a loss of access to valuable EU markets for the £4.9bn UK motor industry.

Integrating Climate and Energy Projections in Practice

European Environment Agency

September 2018

This report outlines the role of integrated climate and energy projections as a tool supporting coherent policy interventions under the Energy Union, and proposes a number of concrete solutions to integrate climate and energy projections in practice.

Wider Impacts of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Actions in Jersey

States of Jersey Department of Environment

August 2018

This report identifies synergies and conflicts between national actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other national strategies. It analyses wider social, economic and environmental impacts of action on climate change.

Guidance for EU Member States on Forest Reference Levels

European Commission

July 2018

Aether contributed to the Technical Guidance on developing and reporting Forest Reference Levels (FRL). The guidance provided in this document seeks to help Member States to interpret the LULUCF Regulation including examples of technical approaches.

Climate Change Mitigation for LULUCF in Mexico

Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático de México

May 2018

Climate Change Atelier and Aether produced this report for the Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático de México (INECC). It analyses the state-of-art of climate change mitigation in the LULUCF sector in México and presents roadmaps for the achievement of Mexico's national mitigation ambition under the Paris Agreement.

Decomposition analysis for air pollutants and CO2 emissions from large combustion plants in Europe

European Environment Agency

March 2018

Aether and Trinomics analysed the impact of changes in the economy, energy use intensity, fuel mix and abatement measures on overall emissions from large combustion plants (LCPs) in Europe since 2004.

Analysis of drivers of historic and future ESD emission trends

European Environment Agency

March 2018

This report presents a trend analysis of historic and future anthropogenic GHG emissions for the most significant sectors covered by the Effort Sharing Decision, which establishes burden sharing targets for GHG reductions for EU Member States.

Port of London Emissions Inventory 2016

Port of London Authority and Transport for London

January 2018

Aether produced Port of London's first “port wide” emissions inventory, covering the tidal Thames to Southend on the Thames estuary. Detailed emissions from sea going shipping using the Port of London have been fully quantified, allowing the development of PLA’s first air quality strategy.

Aviation and shipping — impacts on Europe's environment

European Environment Agency

January 2018

This European Environment Agency (EEA) report, produced by Aether, provides an analysis of the impact of aviation and shipping on the environment. This report reflects key similarities between the two economic sectors in terms of opportunities and challenges posed by increasing demand.

Improving Air Quality After Brexit

Environmental Industries Commission

December 2017

Written in collaboration with the Environmental Industries Commission, this report considers the opportunities for UK air quality policy in the context of Brexit.

London's Polluted Schools: The Social Context

FIA Foundation

September 2017

This report was written for the FIA Foundation. The study considered London schools that are exposed to poor air quality and the relationships with other social indicators that might be connected to action to improve air quality.

Updated Analysis of Air Pollution Exposure in London

Greater London Authority

February 2017

The research described in this report considers pollution exposure in London in 2013 and considers how exposure varies by indicators of relative deprivation and ethnic groups in London.

Evidence Review of the Potential Wider Impacts of Climate Change Mitigation Options: Built Environment Sector

Scottish Government

January 2017

This review summarises the evidence of potential wider impacts arising from Climate Change mitigation measures in the Built Environment sector.

Application of the European Union Emissions Trading Directive

European Environment Agency

April 2017

Aether co-authored this European Environment Agency (EEA) report. It provides an updated overview of information provided by European Union Member States on the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System Directive.

Luxembourg's Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Data Viewer

Government of Luxembourg

This viewer presents Luxembourg's greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions in the past, present and future. It also provides information on policies and measures and the potential wider impacts of climate action. This analysis will be updated for the preparation of policies and measures for the updated integrated NECP required in 2023.

Wider impacts visualisation

Data in our wider impacts database is summarised in these interactive visualisations of climate actions and their co-benefits.

Progress towards local net zero targets

September 2023

Explore progress towards local authority net zero targets. The viewer combines data on targets for net zero across UK local authorities and greenhouse gas emissions data from 2005 to 2021.

Aether's Carbon Footprint

November 2021

This infographic visualises Aether's carbon footprint for 2019. It demonstrates how we are trying to minimise our impact through low carbon travel and offsetting our greenhouse gas emissions.

Jersey Infographic

Aether created a data viewer for the States of Jersey to visualise the Jersey greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The viewer provides insight into the historical emissions in Jersey and allows the user to explore the trends. It also visualises the actions that Jersey have put in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, illustrating how Jersey intends to meet the national emissions reduction target.

Climate actions and SDGs

An analysis of the wider impacts of climate action can reveal possible synergies and conflicts between climate action and Sustainable Development Goals. This can lead to more effective, joined up policy making where benefits are maximised and areas of caution are highlighted.

City of London Air Quality

This visualisation allows the user to explore air quality monitoring, trends and possible health impacts in the City of London. In 2001, the whole of the Square Mile was declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and small particles (PM₁₀). This was due to levels of these pollutants being higher than the required limits.

Montenegro Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2017, Montenegro ratified the Paris Agreement, committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This data viewer allows you to explore Montenegro's greenhouse gas emissions.

Plastic Bag Charge

Since 5 October 2015, large retailers in England have been required by law to charge 5p for all single use plastic carrier bags. They are required by law to report certain information to Defra, and they provide other information on donations on a voluntary basis. Our visualisation explores the number of plastic bags, the top contributors and the amount generated from the charge that is donated to good causes by retailers.

Oxford Sustainability Index

Aether created a data viewer for the Oxford Sustainability Index based on findings from the Oxford Sustainability Index report developed for Oxford City Council in 2016. The viewer visualises Oxford’s sustainability performance along a range of environmental indicators, and allows users to explore the City’s performance compared to other urban areas in England, Scotland and Wales.

E-PRTR Viewer

The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) is the Europe-wide register that provides easily accessible key environmental data from more than 30,000 industrial facilities in European Union Member States and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland. This E-PRTR viewer enables exploration and analysis of the data.

Paris Tracker

Tracking the ratification progress of the Paris Agreement. In accordance with Article 21, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement, the Agreement shall enter into force on the 30th day after the date on which at least 55 Parties to the Convention accounting in total for at least an estimated 55 % of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Depositary. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.