Closing the Gap Between Science and Policy on Air Pollution and Health

Abstract

This paper discusses critical issues underlying the interface between air quality science, stakeholder participation, and policy development within the context of the European AIRNET Network multistakeholder project. The paper argues that it is not only the content of air pollution and health issues that stakeholders consider important, but also the process and mechanisms by which the interface operates. A visual representation of the interaction between science, society, and stakeholders in the development, dissemination, and evaluation of effective air quality policy strategies is provided. The paper discusses the role of AIRNET in supporting the Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) program and assesses the AIRNET experience in establishing a network to bridge the gap between air quality policy, stakeholders, the public, and scientific communities.

The European Network AIRNET was initiated within the Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources program of the European Commission, QLRT-2001-00441, Key Action 4, Environment and Health. The content of this paper has formed the basis for the AIRNET Science-Policy Work Group end-report discussions to sharpen its focus on the science–policy–stakeholder interplay on air pollution and health. It has also functioned to generate the outline of the draft report presented at the AIRNET–NERAM Rome Conference on Strategies for Clean Air and Health, November 5–7, 2003. The authors are grateful for the many suggestions from the Work Group.