Linking air pollution with

climate change
Climate change and long-range air pollution interact strongly in a
number of ways. Policy choices in technology and fuels affect
emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and
methane, and air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
dioxide. These compounds have consequences of acidification and
eutrophication for ecosystems, and chemical interactions produce
further compounds such as ozone. Most research to date considers
climate change and air pollution separately, even though they
share common causes, interactions, and policies for reduction.

For integrated assessments of climate change, it is necessary to

consider the interactions between climate change and air pollution.
Dr Rachel Warren, a computer scientist at Tyndall Centre HQ is
leading a project that will link the next generation of climate
change models with established programs for simulating regional
air pollution. The ultimate aim is to identify cost-effective strategies
that distribute efforts between compounds and countries,
delivering target reductions for both greenhouse gases and air
pollution.

Dr Warren has recently prototyped a practical technique for linking

different computer models of sociological, economic, and
environmental data for integrated assessments of climate change.
This project builds upon these innovative techniques, and will
ultimately generate a new dynamic model that will further inform
Dr Warren’s integrated assessment model.

The first part of the research is deriving the scientific basis and
structure for a new computer simulation of climate change and air
pollution (called DETA: Dynamic model for Extension to Trans-
boundary Air-pollution). A full-blown modelling effort will follow as
the cornerstone of the Tyndall Centre’s ability to integrate climate
change policies with emissions scenarios for air pollutants and
greenhouse gases.
Tyndall Centre research is linking the next generation of climate change
models with established programs for simulating regional air pollution.
The aim is to identify cost-effective strategies that deliver target
reductions for both greenhouse gases and air pollution.

More information Useful Websites

Contact the lead investigator of Project T3.14 (Linkages between regional Imperial College Centre for Energy Policy and Technology
air pollution and climate): www.iccept.ic.ac.uk
Dr Rachel Warren
Tyndall Centre HQ International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Zuckerman Institute for Connective Environmental Research www.iiasa.ac.at/~schoepp/doc/iiasa.htm
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Tel: 01603 593912 www.tyndall.ac.uk
r.warren@uea.ac.uk
Project duration
Other researchers involved in this project are: June 2003 – September 2004
Professor Dennis Anderson, Dr Tim Foxon, Dr Matt Leach, Prof. Peter
Pearson, Imperial College, University of London
Dr Markus Amann, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis,
Austria

Round 3