The European Directive 2016/2284 on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants (NEC Directive) requires member states to prepare national clean air programmes every four years. These programmes contain both current emission forecasts and strategies and measures to fulfil the reduction obligations. For Germany, the national implementation of the NEC Directive is carried out by the 43rd Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchV). According to § 6, the public must be involved in the preparation of the national clean air programme. In May 2019, the Federal Cabinet adopted the National Clean Air Programme of the Federal Republic of Germany and reported it to the European Commission. It describes how Germany intends to fulfil its commitment to reduce emissions of SO2, NOX, NMVOC, NH3 and particulate matter. In addition to measures in the transport sector, a successful energy turnaround and a reduction in ammonia emissions from agriculture are expected to contribute to meeting the target. However, successful implementation and realisation of mitigation measures requires that the public is consciously involved. In cooperation with AVISO, Sandstein Kommunikation and dwif, the IZT is addressing the question of how such participation can be tailored and effective.

This is where the project comes in. The project aims to develop conceptual and substantive strategies for public participation for the respective measures to reduce air pollutant emissions of the national air pollution programme. The work in the project is divided into three phases:

  1. The first step is to explore existing procedures for communicating scientific findings and for public participation in environmental policy measures.
  2. The project focuses on the generally understandable evaluation of the effects of measures from the national clean air programme and the development of specific strategies for their communication.
  3. Based on this, concrete design proposals for public participation in the preparation and updating of the national clean air programme will be developed.