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...

“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

“I must congratulate each of you for your professional and tireless efforts. Let me point out that this has been the 'neatest' in-country review expert review team I have coordinated, and it has been a real pleasure.”

UNFCCC Secretariat

“Aether's approach to couple innovative visualisation with high expertise manpower delivered valuable insights for our inventory work.”

Umweltbundesamt (Germany)

“Both the face-to-face training and the online version have been of high quality, with dynamic methods and a practical orientation that have allowed students to reach a solid knowledge base. The products have been delivered within the stipulated deadlines with an excellent quality and the team has always shown willingness to make adjustments according to the requirements of CONAF. We are very satisfied with the work. ”

Javier Cano Martín, Professional Unit for Climate Change and Environmental Services, CONAF (National Forestry Corporation), Chile

“Engaging Aether to support us to develop the first GHG Inventory System and first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the United Republic of Tanzania has been a rewarding experience due to their high level of professionalism, creativity, timeliness and value for money. We will definitely consider Aether in our future initiatives.”

Abbas Kitogo, Programme Specialist Energy and Climate Change, UNDP Tanzania

“Professional team and very collaborative communication. Effective result in terms of suggestions for improvement in the quality of the inventory and proposals on how to streamline specific topics.”

Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research

“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

“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

“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

“Chris was excellent to work with and always very pro active in making suggestions, taking work forward and applying his considerable technical knowledge in effective ways.”

Robert Vaughan, Defra Air Quality Team

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