DEVELOPING OPTIMAL ABATEMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE EFFECTS OF SULFUR ANDNITROGEN DEPOSITION AT EUROPEAN SCALE

Integrated Assessment Models were successfully used to provide input t o the negotiations for the Oslo Protocol on Further Reductions of Sulp hur Emissions, finalized within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution in Os lo in June 1994. The techniques developed within this framework will b e extended now to the simultaneous analysis of sulphur and nitrogen de position. In addition to acidification, atmospheric deposition of nitr ogen contributes to eutrophication of certain ecosystems, through a nu trient effect, and originates from the long-range transport of emissio ns of both oxidised and reduced nitrogen (NOx and NH3) Modelling reduc tions in nitrogen deposition thus introduces a need to establish multi -pollutant multi-effect modelling techniques. This paper investigates the development of a model set up to examine reductions of these pollu tants in an economically and environmentally efficient manner. The con trol of nitrogen deposition encompasses action across several economic sectors, particularly the power, transport and agricultural sectors. Combining sulphur and nitrogen deposition limits on a European scale w ill require a flexible modelling approach and the issues governing pos sible approaches are presented.