Combining satellite data, surface measurements from 29 European countries and sophisticated processing will deliver state of the art information on air quality.

The Copenhagen-based EEA will provide timely information on Europe's environment at an unprecedented level. The initiative will result in the supply of Europe-wide coverage on a daily basis and take into account complex variables such as interactions between weather patterns and emissions.

This pilot service is part of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) which will integrate space based earth observation data received from satellites with ground based information to offer a sharper picture of Europe's air quality on a daily basis.

The EEA has been assigned a key role to coordinate the provision of surface measurements and other data for GMES services. The EEA already manages networks of data providers from 33 member countries in order to fulfill its mandate.

Other expert bodies will contribute with data, processing capacity and expertise to create GMES services. The consortium providing the service for EEA includes environmental, aerospace agencies and meteorological organisations.

The EEA will use the service to support the implementation of European air quality policies, particularly the Air Quality Directive. The system will present an additional benefit for the wider public: the ability to better protect their health by avoiding exposure and take measures to reduce air pollution.

Background to the service

GMES responds to Europe’s needs for geo-spatial information services by bringing together the capacity of Europe to collect and manage data and information on the environment and civil security, for the benefit of European citizens.

Links

• Air pollution (EEA thematic website)
  
• EU Air Quality
• German Aerospace Center
• PROMOTE-GMES
• GMES (ESA website)
  
• Institut National de l'environnement industriel
• Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU)