Climate
Atmospheric Observatory Tower JRC Ispra site (Italy)
The Green Deal is the European Union’s (EU) comprehensive strategy to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The JRC is at the forefront of supporting the EU to meet these goals.
With its integrated modelling toolbox, including the POTEnCIA model, the JRC helped define the regulatory initiatives for the 2030 climate objectives and pathways for emissions reductions for the recommended 2040 climate target. The JRC EDGAR database provides independent estimates of global greenhouse gases emissions and air pollution, underpinning the EU position in climate negotiations. Environmental protection brings co-benefits for climate mitigation. JRC also supports the Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive which governs the environmental performance of over 75 000 EU industrial installations and farms. Relevant tools include the Sevilla Process, a structured exchange of information between the Member States and all relevant industry stakeholders and INCITE, which evaluates the environmental performance of innovative techniques for industrial transformation.
Emissions Directive governs the environmental performance of over 75000 industrial installations and farms.The Industrial and Livestock Rearing
The EDGAR database, managed collaboratively by the JRC and the International Energy Agency (IEA), is a global reference for monitoring Europe’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This independently managed database and information hub is a vital tool for Member States, facilitating the work of environmental departments in their preparation of GHG inventories at national and local levels. EDGAR is also widely used by EU institutions, such as DG Climate Action (CLIMA) and DG Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO) , and provides a valuable resource for various international organisations.
The EC Atmospheric Observatory conducts continuous measurements of reactive gases, greenhouse gases, and forest canopy fluxes to study interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, and climate change. This data supports the UNECE-EMEP programme by tracking air pollution trends and evaluating the effectiveness of emission reduction policies. Additionally, the JRC observatory monitors key atmospheric components like carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter to assess changes in atmospheric composition.
As part of the evolution of the Sevilla Process, the JRC has launched INCITE, The European Innovation Centre for Industrial Transformation and Emissions. A key element of the Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive to foster innovation, INCITE aims to become the EU’s central reference point for identifying and evaluating the environmental performance of innovative industrial techniques for decarbonisation, depollution, or for increasing resource (e.g. water and energy) efficiency and circularity.
The JRC’s POTEnCIA model assesses the EU energy system, offering historical and projected energy pathways for sectors like industry, transport, and power generation. It represents each Member State individually, with options to analyse the entire EU system. Outputs cover 2000-2050 in annual steps, aligning with Eurostat data and the JRC’s publicly available Integrated Database of the European Energy System (JRC-IDEES). POTEnCIA supports energy and climate policy development across the EU.
The JRC PESETA programme, launched in 2006, offers comprehensive science-based assessments of climate risks across Europe. Delivering high-resolution, quantitative data, it has shaped key EU climate policies, including the Green Deal and Climate Adaptation Strategy.
PESETA’s findings emphasise the importance of understanding climate change costs and the need for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. Additionally, the programme has influenced disaster risk management, agriculture, and financial stability policies, demonstrating how robust climate models can enhance the resilience of European societies and economies.
Through the programme, the JRC cooperates closely with Member States. Its collaboration with Poland’s KOBIZE (National Centre for Emissions Management) supported the design of Poland’s National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). Through a series of seminars held in 2023, the JRC supported Poland in developing strategic responses to climate challenges, focusing on energy efficiency and emissions reduction in line with EU goals.
In Spain, the JRC partnered with the Bank of Spain and the Spanish Climate Change Office during Andalusia’s International Congress on Climate Change. This collaboration facilitated discussions in integrating climate risk into economic planning and fostering climate resilience.
Germany has played a key role in the Sevilla Process, through significant contributions from its Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and regional authorities. Over the past 20 years, 13 national experts have been seconded to the JRC’s European IPPC Bureau, with two permanently stationed there. Germany’s industrial data and expertise have been instrumental in developing BREFs, setting a benchmark in environmental governance and leading sustainable industrial initiatives in Europe.
