The Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society. Scientists at the JRC carry out research in various fields to provide independent advice to EU policymakers and put science at the heart of European policies.
Originally established under the Euratom Treaty, the JRC has longstanding expertise in the nuclear field but has evolved to offer scientific competences across a wide range of disciplines to support almost all EU policy areas. The JRC works closely with research and policy organisations in EU countries, European institutions and agencies, and scientific partners in Europe and worldwide.
Our core strengths are:
anticipation: providing the scientific underpinning for future policy initiatives
integration: linking scientific and policy areas to address today's complex challenges
impact: assisting policymakers in tracking and assessing policy impact
In this framework, the Clean Air and Climate Unit specifically provides integrated analysis to support EU air quality and climate policies. Our work includes:
evaluating the emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants on European and global scales
measuring and modelling atmospheric components relevant to human health and their interactions with ecosystems and climate
leading harmonisation efforts for monitoring and modelling techniques across Europe
participating in integrated assessments to support the development of air quality and climate policies that ensure the maximum benefit from the resources that are invested in creating a better environment
Additional documents:
The AURORAE (Air qUality foRecast fOR Arctic communitiEs) service: publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC139867
EDGAR booklet: edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/report_2025
The EDGAR-food infographic: edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pdf/EDGAR-infographics_2024.pdf
The “Urban PM2.5 Atlas, Air Quality in European Cities”, 2025 Report
Scientific paper on “High resolution assessment of air quality and health in Europe under different climate mitigation scenarios”: www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60449-2
Videos
Measuring Air Pollution - Towards a standard European method: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfOA4V4YoCI
The SHERPA air quality model: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZy2ksVHBJo
Contact:
ferenc.pekar@ec.europa.eu (head of unit)
annette.borowiak@ec.europa.eu (measurements of air quality)
giovanni.manca@ec.europa.eu (measurements of GHG)
enrico.pisoni@ec.europa.eu (modelling for Europe)
claudio.belis@ec.europa.eu (global modelling)
monica.crippa@ec.europa.eu (EDGAR emission inventory)
ilaria.crotti@ec.europa.eu (arctic)