It is urgent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, which will require shifting away from fossil fuels. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential use of renewable ammonia as an alternative fuel in the transportation sector, specifically focusing on aviation and shipping, exploring its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Key ammonia-related technologies are analysed, including low-carbon production pathways (e.g., electrified Haber-Bosch and emerging electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction), fuel utilization routes (internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and direct ammonia fuel cells), and ammonia cracking systems for hydrogen generation. Storage and distribution options are evaluated in terms of technical feasibility, infrastructure readiness, and safety. Key challenges such as corrosion, leakage, spill hazards, and associated costs are thoroughly discussed. This article highlights the environmental benefits and challenges of adopting ammonia as a fuel, with a particular focus on its impact on air quality, and its consequent effect on health and ecosystem. This review also provides a distinct perspective by analysing current and projected ammonia emissions in Europe up to 2030 under existing regulatory frameworks, excluding additional contributions from ammonia-based fuels in transport. This enables identification of potential gaps between emission reduction targets and future energy pathways. Overall, while renewable ammonia offers strong decarbonization potential, its large-scale deployment raises significant environmental and technological challenges that require integrated and policy-informed assessment.

The Mediterranean houses some nitrogen-sensitive ecosystems. A lack of infrastructure to monitor nitrogen concentrations and deposition, together with a lack of policies to enforce nitrogen emission reductions poses an imminent risk, as ammonia is the most critical pollutant to fulfil emission ceiling goals in southern European countries. To solve the limitation of monitoring sites, the major part of the deposition assessments studies conducted on this topic use chemical transport models (CTM). Among these models, LOTOS-EUROS is regarded as one of the most advanced and is one of the few with a compensation point parametrization. However, applying this model to a Mediterranean area requires some adaptation since deposition parameters in the model are mostly based on studies from North-Western Europe. With this study, we aim to adapt and enhance the dry deposition module of LOTOS-EUROS by including specifications for the Mediterranean climate and vegetation. Sensitivity runs were performed for multiple vegetation and climate-specific parameters to assess which are the most influential variables for the study region. The most sensitive parameters were analysed to understand the variations. The results highlight that the vapour pressure deficit is extremely susceptible to changes. The changes in the maximum stomatal conductance induced an increase in deposition for both ozone and ammonia. This increase in deposition led to a decrease in ozone concentrations. For ammonia, an increase in deposition was registered due to the compensation point used in the model. Further testing is warranted, especially the assessment of the impacts over a longer period, among others.

Accurate air quality modelling is crucial for assessing public health risks, particularly in regions with complex terrain. This study investigates the influence of meteorological drivers on the performance of the LOTOS-EUROS chemical transport model by comparing two setups: the standard configuration using operational data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and a dynamically downscaled setup using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Both configurations were validated against meteorological and air quality monitoring data for 2021, with a focus on temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, boundary layer height, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and PM10 concentrations. Results show that the default ECMWF setup is more consistent at meteorological monitoring stations. However, in terms of air quality, the two setups produced similar NO2 results. Still, WRF performed better for O3, particularly in areas with complex terrain, as reflected in higher agreement indices at key monitoring stations. These findings suggest that a WRF-based dynamic downscaling approach could enhance the accuracy of air quality forecasts in terrain-sensitive regions, offering a promising alternative for future applications, including climate change impact assessments.

Air pollution has been investigated using various methods, particularly in developing countries, which still lack robust air quality monitoring systems. In these regions, perception surveys have been employed as an initial approach. This study aimed to analyze the perception of air pollution among the population of a Brazilian metropolis to support risk communication. The study assessed local perceptions, identifying possible correlations between socioeconomic profile and the beliefs of the respondents. A quantitative study was conducted based on a sample survey of 437 people in the city of Recife. The interviews were conducted in person, and the data were stored on the ArcGIS Survey123 platform, later being used for statistical analysis. Perception data were also compared with air quality monitoring data from nine low-cost stations. The majority of the population (57%) had never heard of or received information on the topic. This finding is correlated with edu-cational attainment (p = 0.041). Individuals who reported cardiovascular or respiratory health problems did not demonstrate greater knowledge on the subject. The main sources of pollution mentioned were transportation and dust; however, lower-income individuals cited the burning of biomass and waste as the primary sources. Perceptions of air pollution in the city vary according to income, education level, occupation, and the degree of information on the topic. In general, residents' beliefs align with the monitoring data observed during the period. This study purposed to provide information for decision-makers who do not yet have access to perception assessments and/or air pollution monitoring, thereby contributing to the development of risk communication policies and prevention alerts. 2 3 *

Anthropogenic emissions of reactive nitrogen in Europe have increased significantly over the last two centuries. A large proportion of this reactive nitrogen is released into the atmosphere in the form of ammonia (NH3), which is generated from livestock farming activities and fertilizer use, and in the form of oxides of nitrogen (NOX) generated from the combustion of fossil fuels. The atmospheric deposition of reactive nitrogen can adversely impact ecosystems and biodiversity. This is particularly relevant to the Iberian Peninsula where ecosystems that have a low threshold for eutrophication, and are therefore highly sensitive to nitrogen levels, are found. In-situ measurements of reactive nitrogen species in this region are sparse and those that are available are measurements of NO2 concentrations and in some cases intermittent measurements of NHX & NOY wet deposition. This limitation in the availability of deposition data gives rise to a dearth of knowledge and a high degree of uncertainty in ascertaining the budget of nitrogen species in this region. Several approaches have been developed to estimate emissions of NO2 and NH3 utilizing earth observation. Here we present the application of a multi-gaussian plume inversion method in combination with satellite observations of NH3 from the Cross-Track Infrared Sounder instrument and observations of NO2 from the TROPOMI sensor to validate concentration distributions simulated by the LOTOS-EUROS chemistry transport model. Initially, a steady-state inversion scheme was applied over the Iberian Peninsula to derive spatial-temporal emission fields and evaluate these against inventory emissions and existing spatial and temporal distributions. An analysis of these results shows variations between the spatial distribution of inventory emissions and those obtained from the satellite observations. Then, the resulting emission fields are used within the LOTOS-EUROS model to simulate the concentration and deposition fields which will be evaluated with in-situ data.

Climate change (CC) and air pollution are closely interlinked environmental challenges that significantly affect human health and quality of life, especially in urban and industrialized regions. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on how future climate scenarios may affect air quality and related human impacts, using a Southern European country (Portugal) for illustration. The study employed the most up-to-date future climate projections (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways-SSP) that were dynamically downscaled for Portugal. High-resolution simulations were carried out using the Weather Research & Forecasting (WRF) model, providing data for relevant meteorological variables that most affect air quality, for three future climate scenarios: fossil-fueled development (SSP5-8.5), regional inequality (SSP3-7.0), and a middle-of-the-road future (SSP2-4.5). Current and future air quality was simulated with the CHIMERE chemical transport model driven by WRF downscaled data and future emissions from the SSP v2.0 database. Results show that CC will impact nitrogen oxides (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM) concentrations over Portugal, with only agricultural emissions increasing in all scenarios. PM and NO2 will decrease in urban areas, over the short and long term, mainly for more conservative scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP3-7.0), while O3 will increase over mainland Portugal (except for coastal/urban areas). Regarding human health, premature deaths are expected to be highest in urban areas, with reductions projected for NO2 and PM2.5 under SSP2-4.5 and increases in O3-related mortality under SSP5-8.5. Overall, SSP2-4.5 presents the most sustainable outcomes, highlighting the importance of integrating air quality management and health impact assessments into climate adaptation strategies to promote long-term environmental sustainability in southern Europe, consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fine and ultra fine particles with attached radioactive ions, often highly toxic and carcinogenic, can cause serious acute and chronic health issues. Due to environmental significance of nanoparticles associated with radioactive isotopes of natural or artificial origin and the worldwide health risk they pose, this article presents how they are transported into the troposphere. This study evaluates the public health impact of radionuclides released during radiological accidents, focusing on inhalation doses in contaminated regions from three cases: Chernobyl (1986), Fukushima (2011), and ruthenium-103/106 emissions (2017). It highlights the critical role of aerosol particle size and atmospheric residence time in health risk assessment and crisis decision-making. This information is crucial in the context of crisis management, evacuation planning, and future intervention actions, for radiation protection of the public. Knowledge about the fate of radionuclides, their concentration, and the dynamics of their washout from the atmosphere is particularly useful during rescue operations for responders working in the direct exposure region.

When developing a decarbonisation scenario for future electricity supply, a holistic approach to the electricity generation mix should be taken while considering the climate-induced changes to resource availability and variability. The objective of this study was to develop a framework for a resource-based analysis of the optimal renewable mix to decarbonise future electricity supplies. The Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) was used to run very high resolution (ti1 km2) simulations using the latest climate change scenarios (CMIP6 SSPs), to then calculate the wind power density, solar photovoltaic power density and future changes to water availability. A fully decarbonised electricity supply scenario was proposed based on a site selection algorithm that selects the most cost-effective source between wind and solar combined with changes to hydroelectricity. The results show that most of the study area is viable for solar photovoltaic while floating wind is the most costeffective solution. Overall, wind power has the highest potential contribution to total electricity production, with 54 % for SSP2-4.5 and 46 % for SSP5-8.5. Additionally, the results suggest that the amount of land required for the implementation of renewable installations to meet future demand is equivalent to less than 2 % of the study domain area.

The exposure to elevated levels of ozone contributes to respiratory diseases and ecosystem degradation. Mediterranean countries are among those most affected by high ozone concentrations, which are generally overestimated by chemistry transport models underscoring the importance of improving the accuracy of air quality modelling. This study introduces an enhanced Mediterranean dry deposition description within the LOTOS-EUROS model framework, focusing on refining key vegetation parameters for the Mediterranean climate zone, with the goal to better estimate deposition and connected concentration values. Adjustments were made to the vegetation type dependent Jarvis functions for temperature and vapour pressure deficit, as well as to the maximum stomatal conductance across four land use types: arable land, crops, deciduous broadleaf forest, and coniferous evergreen forest. The model’s baseline run showed a widespread overestimation of ozone. Adjustments to the dry deposition routines reduced this overestimation, but the model simulation incorporating all changes still showed elevated ozone levels. Both runs displayed moderate spatial correlation with observations from 117 rural background monitoring stations, and most stations exhibited a temporal correlation between 0.5 and 0.8. An improved RMSE and bias were noted at the majority of the stations (114 out of 117) for the model simulation incorporating all changes. The monthly analysis indicated consistent overestimation at two Portuguese sites beginning in March. The model effectively tracked temporal changes overall. However, the diurnal analysis revealed site-specific differences: an overestimation at the station closest to highly populated areas at night, while rural stations aligned better with observed values. These results highlight the benefits of region-specific model adaptations and lay the groundwork for further advancements, such as incorporating detailed vegetation classifications and seasonal variations.

Wildfires are projected to become more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting under climate change, substantially elevating population exposure to wildfire smoke. Future projections suggest that health impacts of wildfire smoke will peak during the mid-21st century under high-emission scenarios; however, persistent uncertainties in exposure assessment and concentration-response relationships need to be addressed. Effective mitigation of increasing health impacts requires longterm planning, based on the integration of climate modelling, exposure assessment, and evidence from epidemiology. Wildfire smoke exposure reduction approaches including early warning systems, indoor air filtration, and other measures can be embedded within a broader public health and climate adaptation policy framework.

Air quality (AQ) is gaining considerable visibility within the tourism sector. However, despite several studies analysing the impact of tourism activities on the AQ of destinations, little is known about the inverse relation. This paper analyses the role of AQ on travel planning and the factors influencing it, specifically the influence of environmentally friendly daily behaviours and concerns with AQ impacts on visitor health. To accomplish this, a questionnaire survey (N = 834) was carried out to visitors. Two Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and two multivariate regression models were used to identify the factors influencing the role of AQ in travel planning. Results reveal that despite AQ not having a substantial role in travel planning of tourism activities, the environmentally friendly daily behaviours of visitors have a positive influence on the role of AQ in travel planning. The paper ends with some theoretical and practical implications.

Description: Shipping is responsible for a range of different pressures affecting air quality, climate, and the marine environment. Most social and economic analyses of shipping have focused on air pollution assessment and how shipping may impact climate change and human health. This risks that policies may be biased towards air pollution and climate change, whilst impacts on the marine environment are not as well known. One example is the sulfur regulation introduced in January 2020, which requires shipowners to use a compliant fuel with a sulfur content of 0.5% (0.1% in SECA regions) or use alternative compliance options (Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, EGCS) that are effective in reducing sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions to the atmosphere. The EGCS cleaning process results in large volumes of discharged water that includes a wide range of contaminants. Although regulations target SOx removal, other pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals and combustion particles are removed from the exhaust to the wash water and subsequently discharged to the marine environment. Based on dilution series of the Whole Effluent Testing (WET), the impact of the EGCS effluent on marine invertebrate species and on phytoplankton was found to vary between taxonomic groups, and between different stages of the invertebrate life cycle. Invertebrates were more affected than phytoplankton, and the most sensitive endpoint detected in the present project was the fertilisation of sea urchin eggs, which were negatively affected at a sample dilution of 1 : 1,000,000. Dilutions of 1: 100,000 were harmful to early development of several of the tested species, including mussels, polychaetes, and crustaceans. The observed effects at these low concentrations of EGCS effluent were reduced egg production, and deformations and abnormal development of the larvae of the species. The ecotoxicological data produced in the EMERGE project were used to derive Predicted No Effect Concentration values. Corresponding modelling studies revealed that the EGCS effluent can be considered as a single entity for 2-10 days from the time of discharge, depending on the environmental conditions like sea currents, winds, and temperature. Area 10-30 km outside the shipping lanes will be prone to contaminant concentrations corresponding to 1 : 1,000,000 dilution which was deemed harmful for most sensitive endpoints of WET experiments. Studies for the Saronikos Gulf (Aegean Sea) revealed that the EGCS effluent dilution rate exceeded the 1 : 1,000,000 ratio 70% of the time at a distance of about 10 km from the port. This was also observed for 15% of the time within a band of 10 km wide along the shipping lane extending 500 km away from the port of Piraeus. When mortality of adult specimens of one of the species (copepod Acartia tonsa) was used as an endpoint it was found to be 3-4 orders of magnitude less sensitive to EGCS effluent than early life stage endpoints like fertilisation of eggs and larval development. Mortality of Acartia tonsa is commonly used in standard protocols for ecotoxicological studies, but our data hence shows that it seriously underestimates the ecologically relevant toxicity of the effluent. The same is true for two other commonly used and recommended endpoints, phytoplankton growth and inhibition of bioluminescence in marine bacteria. Significant toxic effects were reached only after addition of 20-40% effluent. A marine environmental risk assessment was performed for the Öresund region for baseline year 2018, where Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PECs) of open loop effluent discharge water were compared to the PNEC value. The results showed modelled concentrations of open loop effluent in large areas to be two to three orders of magnitude higher than the derived PNEC value, yielding a Risk Characterisation Ratio of 500-5000, which indicates significant environmental risk. Further, it should be noted that between 2018-2022 the number of EGCS vessels more than quadrupled in the area from 178 to 781. In this work, the EGCS discharges of the fleet in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea area were studied in detail. The assessments of impacts described in this document were performed using a baseline year 2018 and future scenarios. These were made for the year 2050, based on different projections of transport volumes, also considering the fuel efficiency requirements and ship size developments. From the eight scenarios developed, two extremes were chosen for impact studies which illustrate the differences between a very high EGCS usage and a future without the need for EGCS while still compliant to IMO initial GHG strategy. The scenario without EGCS leads to 50% reduction of GHG emissions using low sulfur fuels, LNG, and methanol. For the high EGCS adoption scenario in 2050, about a third of the fleet sailing the studied sea areas would use EGCS and effluent discharge volumes would be increased tenfold for the Baltic Sea and hundredfold for the Mediterranean Sea when compared to 2018 baseline discharges. Some of the tested species, mainly the copepods, have a central position in pelagic food webs as they feed on phytoplankton and are themselves the main staple food for most fish larvae and for some species of adult fish, e.g., herring. The direct effect of the EGSE on invertebrates will therefore have an important indirect effect on the fish feeding on them. Effects are greatest in and near shipping lanes. Many important shipping lanes run close to shore and archipelago areas, and this also puts the sensitive shallow water coastal ecosystems at risk. It should be noted that no studies on sub-lethal effects of early 19 life stages in fish were included in the EMERGE project, nor are there any available data on this in the scientific literature. The direct toxic effects on fish at the expected concentrations of EGCS effluent are therefore largely unknown. According to the regional modelling studies, some of the contaminants will end up in sediments along the coastlines and archipelagos. The documentation of the complex chemical composition of EGCS effluent is in sharp contrast to the present legislation on threshold levels for content in EGCS effluent discharged from ships, which includes but a few PAHs, pH, and turbidity. Traditional assessments of PAHs in environmental and marine samples focus only on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of 16 priority PAHs, which includes only parent PAHs. Considering the complex PAHs assemblages and the importance of other related compounds, it is important to extend the EPA list to include alkyl-PAHs to obtain a representative monitoring of EGCS effluent and to assess the impact of its discharges into the marine environment. An economic evaluation of the installation and operational costs of EGCS was conducted noting the historical fuel price differences of high and low sulfur fuels. Equipment types, installation dates and annual fuel consumption from global simulations indicated that 51% of the global EGCS fleet had already reached break-even by the end of 2022, resulting in a summarised profit of 4.7 billion €2019. Within five years after the initial installation, more than 95% of the ships with open loop EGCS reach break-even. The pollutant loads from shipping come both through atmospheric deposition and direct discharges. This underlines the need of minimising the release of contaminants by using fuels which reduce the air emissions of harmful components without creating new pollution loads through discharges. Continued use of EGCS and high sulfur fossil fuels will delay the transition to more sustainable options. The investments made on EGCS enable ships to continue using fossil fuels instead of transitioning away from them as soon as possible as agreed in the 2023 Dubai Climate Change conference. Continued carriage of residual fuels also increases the risk of dire environmental consequences whenever accidental releases of oil to the sea occur.

Chromium electrodeposition from hexavalent Cr (VI) aqueous solutions for Cr thin films and coatings has been vastly used for distinct purposes, due to the attractive appearance and outstanding mechanical, wear and corrosion properties of the resulting coatings. Regardless, its toxicity led to the implementation of European legislation to rescript its use, such as the European Norms Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS). Thus, a replacement for Cr VI must be found, however, it would be important that the resulting films keep their characteristics. In the literature chromium electrodeposition from trivalent chromium (Cr III) aqueous solutions has been proposed and tested, however, its mechanical and optical properties are not comparable with the ones of Cr VI-based coatings and an alternative method is then required as Cr III alone does not deliver the necessary requirements. In this work, a combination of Cr III electrodeposition (ECD) in conjugation with a physical vapour deposition (PVD) multilayered coating of Cr, N, and C is explored to provide a coating capable of fulfilling the industry requirements. Subjecting the developed samples to a Neutral Salt Spray Test (ISO 9227:2027), shows that both the Cr III and Cr III + PVD coatings have similar results regarding corrosion resistance. Moreover, impedance electrochemical spectroscopy demonstrates the coating porosity as the critical point opening the door to further improvements. Aesthetically, applying the PVD layers allows for replicating the former shiny and black chromed look and expands to more different and appealing colours. Hence, this innovative alternative, based on the use of trivalent chromium by electro-deposition followed by PVD coatings, has proven potential to substitute the hexavalent chromium ECD process, while being a viable and sustainable alternative and expanding its use through different colours.

Shipping activity can be a substantial source of pollution and impact on the environment, including air, water and ecosystems, as well as adverse health and climatic effects. Due to the distribution of maritime transport activity routes in the EU, a large portion of the population is exposed to shipping pollution throughout Europe. The ongoing European project EMERGE aims to investigate and quantify these impacts over Europe, and in more detail, in specific case studies regions. The Aveiro lagoon region in Portugal is one of these case studies. This region is a Natura 2000 area, and also includes a medium-sized port. Both air quality and water modelling tools were applied to assess the impact of the emissions and discharges from shipping (to air and water) in the region in 2018. Additionally, ecotoxicological impacts were determined by bioassays to evaluate the impact of scrubber-water discharges on the most sensitive stages of marine invertebrates, and on the post-exposure feeding inhibition of crustacean and bivalve species. The results show that there was a substantial increase in atmospheric pollutant concentrations due to emissions attributed to shipping, which was most relevant for NOx and SO 2 (up to a 30 % shipping contribution). There was no significant degradation of the water quality, mainly as the ships operating in this area did not have scrubber equipment. The ecotoxicological tests were performed with three samples of scrubber water, including one artificial sample and two samples collected on-board ships. If scrubber water would have been discharged in this area, the results indicated that the majority of the tested species would be exposed to lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) for the different scrubber-water samples, as well as to substantial concentrations of metals, PAHs, and alkylated PAHs.

Climate change is expected to influence urban living conditions, challenging cities to adopt mitigation and adaptation measures. This paper assesses climate change projections for different urban areas in Europe –Eindhoven (The Netherlands), Genova (Italy) and Tampere (Finland)—and discusses how nature-based solutions (NBS) can help climate change adaptation in these cities. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model was used to simulate the climate of the recent past and the medium-term future, considering the RCP4.5 scenario, using nesting capabilities and high spatial resolution (1 km2). Climate indices focusing on temperature-related metrics are calculated for each city: Daily Temperature Range, Summer Days, Tropical Nights, Icing Days, and Frost Days. Despite the uncertainties of this modelling study, it was possible to identify some potential trends for the future. The strongest temperature increase was found during winter, whereas warming is less distinct in summer, except for Tampere, which could experience warmer summers and colder winters. The warming in Genova is predicted mainly outside of the main urban areas. Results indicate that on average the temperature in Eindhoven will increase more than in Genova, while in Tampere a small reduction in annual average temperature was estimated. NBS could help mitigate the increase in Summer Days and Tropical Nights projected for Genova and Eindhoven in the warmer months, and the increase in the number of Frost Days and Icing Days in Eindhoven (in winter) and Tampere (in autumn). To avoid undesirable impacts of NBS, proper planning concerning the location and type of NBS, vegetation characteristics and seasonality, is needed.

Carbon neutrality, sustainable development and reducing our impact on the environment is the top priority in future measures. The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges to every sector at a global scale but can provide valuable insight to reach these goals. The main objective of this work is to provide an integrated analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on energy and its related aspects, i.e., environment and costs. Mainland Portugal was used as a case study and two years were analysed, one pre pandemic (2019) and another post pandemic (2020). In 2020, the majority of sectors -Transport, Services, Industry and Agriculture & Fisheries - show a reduction of energy consumption, atmospheric emissions, carbon footprint and related monetary and social costs. In contrast, the Domestic sector presents an overall increase, with maximums of 25.4% in electricity consumption (during Spring), 0.72% in the PM10 (particulate matter) and NOx (nitrogen dioxides) emissions (in Summer), and 2.9% in carbon footprint (in Spring). The integrated analysis proposed in this work was crucial to identify the paths to a post pandemic world focused on the different aspects of sustainability - new concepts of mobility and workplace, as well as increased investment in energy performance and renewable energy sources. This study showed that changing our energy consumption patterns could significantly affect future greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy, while maintaining good progress to-wards climate-neutral goals.

The impact of climate change on the availability and variability of wind and solar resources for renewable electricity production was assessed under the recent Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios. To do this, the Weather Research and Forecasting model was applied to perform very high-resolution climate simulations (approximate to 1 km2) for one present scenario and two future scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). The modelled meteorological variables were then used to calculate the potential future changes in wind power and solar photovoltaic power for electricity production for each climate change scenario when compared to the present. Results show a strong increase in wind speed during Winter of +45% and a-45% decrease during Summer, with future seasonal production differences for wind power varying approximate to 100 kWh for both scenarios. For solar radiation, the highest differences are found during the Winter (+30% to +45% increase) with solar photovoltaic generation changes varying from-10 kWh to +20 kWh, depending on the scenario and season. The seasonal changes in wind speed and solar radiation suggest a loss of seasonality, which could be a threat to the stability of future renewable electricity production in the region, making efforts towards decarbonisation more difficult. This study highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach in the assessment of the electricity production system since sea-sonal variability and intermittency of some renewable energy resources could potentially be covered by others.

Due to the growing awareness concerning environmental problems, specifically air pollution, it is crucial to understand the relationship between perceptions of air quality and the pro-environmental behaviors of visitors. This study segments visitors based on self-reported pro-environmental behaviors. A survey was carried out in Portugal (N = 602). Three clusters with different pro-environmental profiles emerged: eco-transportation seekers; environmentally committed visitors; and environmentally insensitive visitors. Differences were detected among the clusters regarding pro-environmental behaviors at home, environmental attitudes, perception of the destination air quality, and perception of the impact of air quality on health, as well as sociodemographic and travel characteristics.

Air pollution is one of the most challenging environmental issues influencing the lifestyles of the world's population. Every year millions of respiratory diseases and premature deaths are directly attributed to it. Therefore, people who suffer from respiratory diseases are more vulnerable to variations in air quality, as direct exposure leads to exacerbation of symptoms, more hospitalizations, and behavioral changes. This study aims to examine the impact of air pollution on the travel behavior of people with respiratory diseases. To accomplish this objective, a mixed methodological approach is used, applying questionnaires and interviews. The results show that visitors with respiratory diseases are more likely to value air quality and to engage in adaptive measures to prevent the effects of air pollution episodes at the destination. This study enriches the tourism literature by examining how air quality influences visitors with respiratory illnesses and provides practical implications for the tourism industry.

The sensitivity of air quality model responses to modifications in input data (e.g. emissions, meteorology and boundary conditions) or model configurations is recognized as an important issue for air quality modelling applications in support of air quality plans. In the framework of FAIRMODE (Forum of Air Quality Modelling in Europe, https://fairmode.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ ) a dedicated air quality modelling exercise has been designed to address this issue. The main goal was to evaluate the magnitude and variability of air quality model responses when studying emission scenarios/projections by assessing the changes of model output in response to emission changes. This work is based on several air quality models that are used to support model users and developers, and, consequently, policy makers. We present the FAIRMODE exercise and the participating models, and provide an analysis of the variability of O 3 and PM concentrations due to emission reduction scenarios. The key novel feature, in comparison with other exercises, is that emission reduction strategies in the present work are applied and evaluated at urban scale over a large number of cities using new indicators such as the absolute potential, the relative potential and the absolute potency. The results show that there is a larger variability of concentration changes between models, when the emission reduction scenarios are applied, than for their respective baseline absolute concentrations. For ozone, the variability between models of absolute baseline concentrations is below 10%, while the variability of concentration changes (when emissions are similarly perturbed) exceeds, in some instances 100% or higher during episodes. Combined emission reductions are usually more efficient than the sum of single precursor emission reductions both for O 3 and PM. In particular for ozone, model responses, in terms of linearity and additivity, show a clear impact of non-linear chemistry processes. This analysis gives an insight into the impact of model’ sensitivity to emission reductions that may be considered when designing air quality plans and paves the way of more in-depth analysis to disentangle the role of emissions from model formulation for present and future air quality assessments.