Better atmospheric models for short-lived pollutants
The ECLIPSE (Evaluating the climate and air quality impacts of short-lived pollutants) project developed and tested emissions abatement strategies for short-lived chemical species in the atmosphere and quantified the climate and air quality impacts. The SCLPs involved included methane, aerosols and ozone, as well as their precursor species. Project members demonstrated that inclusion of gas-flaring emissions in a global emissions inventory can help match the high levels observed for black carbon (commonly known as soot) concentrations found in the Arctic in winter and spring. Emissions data were used for present-day reference simulations with four advanced Earth simulation models and six chemistry transport models. The models were compared with a range of ground-based and satellite observational data sets from the Arctic, Asia and Europe. Global temperature potentials, global warming potentials and other climate metrics were compared for different chemical species and over different time periods. Consortium partners also contrasted the impact of various modes of transport on climate and used the results to set up carbon offsetting schemes and improve transportation planning. ECLIPSE quantified the impacts of SLCPs both on air pollution and climate change and identified mitigation measures. A brochure was produced for stakeholders, policymakers and the wider public. The information contained will provide policymakers with a clearer understanding of the impact of short-lived climate-forcing agent emissions on climate and air quality. Data from the project will enable comparison of these short-lived elements with long-lived climate-forcing agents (such as carbon dioxide). The information will then be fed into assessments of measures aimed at improving air quality and mitigating climate change effects.
Keywords
Atmospheric, short-lived pollutants, climate, SLCP, air quality, emissions, climate-forcing
