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The Working Group on Effects (WGE)

The Working Group on Effects provides information about the impacts of major air pollutants on human health and the environment and indicators to evaluate air pollution effects.

Within the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention, formerly CLRTAP) it was recognized that a good understanding of the harmful effects of air pollution was a prerequisite for reaching agreement on effective pollution control. To develop the necessary international co-operation in the research on and the monitoring of pollutant effects, the Working Group on Effects (WGE) was established under the Convention in 1980 and held its first meeting in 1981.

The Working Group on Effects provides information on the degree and geographic extent of the effects of major air pollutants, such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides, ozone, volatile organic compounds, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, particulate matter, including black carbon, and ammonia on human health and the environment. WGE provides information on policy-relevant user-friendly indicators to evaluate air pollution effects on the environment and health.

WGE identifies the most endangered areas, ecosystems, and other receptors by considering damage to human health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and materials, providing information on policy-relevant user-friendly indicators to evaluate air pollution effects on the environment and health. An important part of this work is long-term monitoring.

The work is underpinned by scientific research on dose-response, critical loads and levels and damage evaluation. The Working Group meets annually to discuss the results of the international programmes and the current and future needs of the Convention. Here, current and future work is discussed with the aim to meet the needs of the Convention. A biannual workplan is developed for consideration by the Executive Body of the Convention. Important results are presented to the Executive Body.

International Cooperative Programmes (ICPs)

Short ICP name

Full name

Year

number of participating countries (2023)

Forests External link.

International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests

1986

42

Waters External link, opens in new window.

International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of the Effects of Air Pollution on Rivers and Lakes

1985

20

Materials External link, opens in new window.

International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Materials, including Historic and Cultural Monuments

1985

18

Vegetation External link, opens in new window.

International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops

1987

>40

Integrated Monitoring External link, opens in new window.

International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems

1988

15

CCE External link, opens in new window.

 

CDM

International Cooperative Programme on Modelling and Mapping of Critical Levels and Loads and Air Pollution Effects, Risks and Trends

1988

30

Health External link, opens in new window.


Task Force on Health

1997