Combating air pollution caused by particulate matter was a high-priority task on the European agenda. The aim of the research project commissioned by the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) was to improve the technical requirements for calculating the development of particulate matter emissions and to assess the options for action to combat them.

Combating air pollution caused by particulate matter was a high-priority task on the European agenda: preparatory work for the extension of the NEC Directive and the Multi-component protocol around the particulate matter component have EU- resp. UN/ECE-level and for the 1. subsidiary directive to the Air Quality Framework Directive were due for implementation in 2005. These European clean air policy activities resulted in national tasks for Germany that required comprehensive findings on the development of particulate matter emissions and the options for action to combat them.

Against this background, the aim of this research project on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) improving the technical prerequisites for calculating the development of particulate matter emissions and assessing the options for action to combat them.

Specifically, the project aimed to update and complete the Federal Environment Agency's emissions inventory for total particulate matter and the fine fractions PM10 and PM2.5. Based on this, emission forecasts up to 2020 were developed, taking into account the environmental and energy policy measures already adopted. In addition, further measures to reduce particulate matter were identified, quantified in terms of costs and emission reduction potential and summarised into scenarios of measures.