1. Policy Review Group to the 2016 Scientific Assessment Report
Report to the Third Joint Session of WGE/EMEP
13 September 2017

2. Outline Background Response by PRG to SAR Key Findings
Recommendations for Discussion by WGSR
A. Enabling Sound Policy Decisions
B. Maximizing the Impact of Protocols
C. Improving the Technical and Scientific Basis
D. Improving Communication, Outreach & Cooperation
Next Steps

3. Background
EB Decision 2016/1 established the Ad Hoc Policy Review Group
The Ad Hoc Group will:
Make proposals for a policy response to the 2016 Assessment Report as to whether and how the convention should take action in the short and long term based on the findings in the report.
Review the priorities for work and action in the long-term strategy in the light of the 2016 Assessment Report.
Propose updates and revisions to the long-term strategy for the Convention based on findings in the 2016 Assessment Report, the policy recommendations developed and taking into account the report of the ad hoc group of experts on the action plan for the implementation of the long-term strategy.
The EB, at its 36th session, invited the ad-hoc policy review group to highlight issues requiring further discussion with regard to the LTS, in advance of the 37th session of the EB.
In addition to the SAR, We took into account the LTS, the action plan for the implementation of the LTS, and the report of the ad hoc expert group on the review of the ICPs of the Working Group on Effects, and the report of the ad hoc group of experts on the action plan for implementation of the LTS (2012/15), as well as EB decision 2013/22 on that report.

4. Members Kimber Scavo, Chair Richard Ballaman Jennifer Kerr
Michele Loutsch
Alexander Romanov
Till Spranger
Supported by Secretariat (Franziska Ilg & Carolin Noriega)

5. Overall Priorities
Implementation of the Convention and all the current protocols
Ratification-accession to the 3 latest protocols
Increased cooperation with countries outside the ECE region
Further review and possible revision and extension of protocols
Priorities of the PRG in line with the LTS

6. Policy Goal
To improve air quality, including by reducing transboundary air pollution impacting the ECE region, and addressing, in an integrated manner, related environmental and health objectives and other policies that will continue long-term progress.

7. Response to the SAR
Recommendations to maintain the Convention’s current direction in these areas:
Ratification and implementation of the Convention and its Protocols
The Implementation Committee’s work
Improvements to the technical and scientific basis that will maintain the Convention’s scientific leadership role
Not necessarily limited to these areas, The science is there and the 2016 SAR laid out enough science for the PRG to make policy recommendations that address the Convention’s work.

8. Response to the SAR
Recommendations for an increased focus or a shift in approach:
Additional commitments for certain pollutants (e.g., ozone and its precursors including methane, black carbon and ammonia) long-term
Integrated approaches for environmental policy (e.g., multi-sectoral policies on nitrogen, air quality and climate change) short-term to long-term
Increased communication and cooperation with countries and organizations outside the ECE region short-term to long-term

9. Response to the SAR The Convention should focus on the following:
Ratification/accession to the 3 latest, amended Protocols, and implementing the requirements of those Protocols;
Improving emission inventories and projections;
Harmonizing air quality and effects monitoring, assessing health and ecosystem impacts;
Integrating environmental policy approaches;
Further pursuing emissions reductions, especially under the Gothenburg Protocol; and
Broadening the geographical scope of addressing air pollution.

10. A. Enabling Sound Policy Decisions
1. Human health effects
Long-term exposure to PM and ozone constitutes an important burden of disease and contributes to premature death
Other pollutants such as heavy metals and POPs continue to pose threats
Important to continue to assess health effects
INTEGRATION:
-3 strongly interrelated fields
-Air pollution is a central link for interactions between ozone, nitrogen, climate change and ecosystems

11. A. Enabling Sound Policy Decisions
2. Integrated environmental policy
Continue developing the multi-effect, multi-pollutant framework
Ozone-nitrogen-climate-biodiversity interactions
Further science and policy work is needed
Communicate and cooperate with climate, biodiversity policies
Nitrogen management
Policy development and measures in close cooperation with agricultural, transport, energy policies
Highest priority: cost-effective ammonia emission abatement
Integrated approach for the development of air pollution and climate change policies and measures
SLCPs such as black carbon and methane (and ozone)
Work with UNEP/CCAC, AC and other international bodies
Air pollution is a central link for interactions between ozone, nitrogen, climate change and ecosystems; therefore an important science-policy item for the Convention.

12. A. Enabling Sound Policy Decisions
3. Cost-effective control measures
Analyses of costs and benefits of control strategies to reduce air pollution is critical
Need improvements and updates in our tools
2. TFTEI: Include additional measures in database & Develop code of good practice for solid-fuel burning and small combustion installations
3. TFTEI and TFIAM review control costs and improve cost-effectiveness analyses and co-produce a report

13. B. Maximizing the Impact of the Convention and its Protocols
1. Ratification and implementation of the protocols
Among highest priorities of Convention
Need to assist in different ways
2. Enforcement of Protocol obligations and related support to countries
Ensure implementation with current IC approach
Parties meeting obligations and improving data

14. B. Maximizing the Impact of the Convention and its Protocols
3. Updating the amended Protocols (GP, HMs, POPs)
Following entry into force and review
Recommendations are in response to information in the SAR
3(d). Broadening the geographical scope of the Convention and/or its protocols
Consider various options for how to address air pollution more broadly

15. C. Improving the Technical & Scientific Basis
The recommendations submitted to EMEP/WGE for further consideration are related to:
1. Emission data
Completeness, accuracy, review and verification
2. Dispersion modelling
EMEP/WGE cooperation on modelling and mapping atmospheric deposition
More work on unintentionally released POPs (UPOPs)
3. Scope of monitoring and challenges to the existing monitoring systems
Parties should maintain or extend monitoring activities in their own interest
Improve QA/QC
Section II. C of PRG Report 2017/3
PRG requests that EMEP/WGE forward important issues to EB.

16. C. Improving the Technical & Scientific Basis
4. Improving the functioning of the Working Group on Effects and EMEP and their subsidiary bodies
Improve access to data
Harmonizing technical standards
Integration of work & and new financial mechanism
5. Linked, multipurpose monitoring under the Convention
Intensify links between networks, harvest synergies considering limited resources
6. Hemispheric air pollution
Summarize information to WGSR in order to begin policy discussions

17. D. Improving communication, outreach and cooperation
1. Outreach to the public
Website, guidance and training, simplified Convention name
2. Communication to policymakers
Awareness raising through high-level meetings
National-level, including with colleagues in health and agriculture
3. Information exchange with other organizations
Parties active in different organizations ensure effective exchange
Convention coordination with other bodies
Pool efforts to raise visibility of health and ecosystem impacts of air pollution
Collaborate to help countries assess health and other benefits from reducing air pollution
Outreach to the public:
-Use a simplified name for the Convention such as “Geneva Air Convention” for informal communication; (104)
-Organize an event to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Convention in 2019; (105)
-Mention workshops
78. The group also highlights that enhancing existing outreach activities and developing additional ones, as suggested below, requires specific additional financing for the work by the centres, working groups and task forces established under the Convention and the secretariat

18. D. Improving communication, outreach and cooperation
4. Prioritized outreach activities for the next five years
(a) Response to global policy processes: broadening the geographical scope when addressing air pollution
UNEA-3 in December 2017
Strengthen cooperation and capacity-building activities (e.g. WHO, CCAC, WMO)
(b) Cooperation with priority regions
Policy cooperation to address background ozone levels and black carbon
5. Working with other international bodies: a cooperative approach for protecting health and ecosystems
Invite organizations and other countries to exchange experiences at WGSR, EMEP/WGE, task forces and specific workshops
PRG’s rec was to “Prioritize the activities under the Convention on the response to global policy processes” and cooperation with priority regions (for the next 5 years); (111)
(a)UNEA: “parties consider cooperating with UNEP and countries participating at the 3rd session of the UN Environment Assembly when further elaborating the role of UNEP in addressing air pollution.
(b) Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia, Male Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its Likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia, North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation, Artic Council.
5. In addition, Ask the Bureau to discuss developing a roster of UNECE experts that advise and train experts in other countries and regions, particularly Asia; (part of 123)

19. WGSR Recommendations to the EB
Supported in general, the short-term recommendations and forwarded them to the EB, notably that the Convention should focus on:
Ratification or accession of the latest three, amended Protocols, and their implementation;
Improving emission inventories and projections;
Harmonizing air quality and effects monitoring, assessing health and ecosystem impacts;
Broadening the science cooperation and information exchange on policies and measures with organizations outside the ECE region; and
Integrated environmental policy approaches.

20. WGSR Recommendations to the EB
Took note of the longer-term recommendations to be taken into account by the EB when updating the LTS, and to:
Establish a mandate for the PRG to propose updates and revisions to the LTS in collaboration with the EB Bureau
Take account of the policy review group’s longer-term recommendations (beyond )
Agreed broadly on a number of areas of the PRG’s report which are included in the WGSR’s report of its 55th session

21. Long-term recommendations for EMEP/WGE
Airborne effects of HMs and POPs, taking into account work under related global conventions (4)
Empirical ecosystem research on dose-response functions for ozone and nitrogen (6)
Which links between climate change, carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry and POP/HM biogeochemistry are most policy relevant (7)
Implementation of strategies for cooperation on modelling and mapping between MSC-E and –W with ICPs (70)
Modeling results more clearly indicate continental, regional or local applicability (71)
For UPOPs, improve analysis of long-term trends in secondary emissions and improve capacity for quantifying intercontinental transport (72)
Keep up or extend monitoring activities (73)
Develop high resolution modelling (76)
Report on hemispheric air pollution (85-94)
Cooperation with priority regions & working with international bodies ( , 129, )
-Did not include all ST-LT in this list
-Informal Document #6 from WGSR 55

22. Next Steps 14 September Meeting
Finalize document for the EB 37th session highlighting issues requiring further discussion with regard to the LTS
Discussion of WGSR and potential EMEP/WGE recommendations at the EB’s 37th session
15 December Meeting
Continue working on updating the LTS taking into account any new potential mandate from the EB
WGSR recommendations/WGSR report.
PRG mandate to update LTS
PRG report for 37th session would just be highlighting issues to EB on the LTS