From pilot group coordination to ReportNet3 innovations, 4sfera contributes technical expertise and tools to support the EU’s air quality transition.
Currently, representatives from National Environmental Agencies, the European Environment Agency (EEA), DG Environment and the European Topic Centre (ETC) are gathering in Copenhagen for a series of pivotal meetings focused on the implementation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (2024/2881) and the ongoing migration to the new ReportNet 3 reporting platform.
As a core contributor within the ETC/HE, 4sfera plays a leading role in both the 3rd Pilot Group meeting (6 May) and the 15th Air Quality IPR Technical Meeting (7–8 May). These sessions address technical, regulatory, and methodological updates critical to EU Member States’ compliance and data reporting obligations.
From schema testing to visual tools
During the Pilot Group meeting, 4sfera co-leads discussions on schema development, modelling with common grids, and new challenges like ultrafine particle (UFP) and particle number size distribution (PNSD) reporting under the updated directive. The group also lays the groundwork for the development of the new reporting schema and the integration of QA/QC protocols according to ReportNet 3.
At the TIPR meeting, 4sfera’s experts deliver multiple presentations on key aspects of new requirements under AAQD (2024/2881), streamlined workflows for air quality plans, ReportNet 3 functionalities, and data lifecycle processes—from submission to dissemination. Their input helps clarify concepts such as management of meta-data, updated logic for compliance reporting, deletion management, geospatial reporting formats (GeoTIFF), and integration of modelling results.
Hands-on support and the Western Balkans workshop
The meetings conclude with a dedicated back-to-back workshop for the Western Balkans, where 4sfera (and NILU) guide hands-on training sessions on the AQ Raven tool and bilateral planning to boost regional capacity for eReporting. This reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to inclusive data quality improvement across Europe.
Looking ahead
These collaborative efforts culminate in a fourth online meeting in October and a final in-person session in November 2025, where the pilot group’s recommendations are consolidated. As part of this work, 4sfera continues to develop tools and guidance that ease the reporting burden while improving the accuracy and accessibility of air quality information across the EU.