Air quality challenges are linked primarily to our use of fossil fuels and the emissions and particles they release. In the atmosphere, such emissions can have an effect on the climate and environment, as well as on people's health.

COWI's air quality consultancy includes evaluations of plans and projects, as well as support for mapping and improving existing air quality problems, such as those caused by exhaust from industrial facilities.

Our air quality consultancy includes the following services:

• Evaluation of air and climate as part of environmental impact assessments for buildings and construction projects
• Calculation of air discharge for environmental approvals
• Completion of environmental applications in relation to air discharge
• General air climate consultancy for companies (legislative requirements, EU requirements, cleaner technology, etc)
• CO2 emissions mapping for local authorities and companies (carbon footprint)
• Climate planning for local authorities and companies

Due to the potential effects that air quality problems can have on humans and on the environment, our air quality specialists work closely with indoor climate specialists, toxicologists and environmental chemists.

We specialise in projects dealing with air pollution at local or regional levels. This includes air pollution caused by businesses, power transmission installations and transportation.

CO2 mapping and climate assessments are included as part of environmental impact assessments. Typically, EIA assessments also include one or more of the following services:

• Mapping, assessing and estimating emissions stemming from transport (roads, railways and shipping), industrial production, the early phases of building projects, as well as diffuse emissions and odours
• Modelling air pollution using recognised tools such as OML and AERMOD
• Efficiency assessments, including compliance with legislative requirements
• Planning the monitoring and evaluation of baseline data
• Reporting on cleaner technology and preventative measures related to air pollution reduction

Collaboration with leading laboratories
To ensure our independence, we have chosen not to have our own laboratories. When we need chemical analyses of air pollution, we use leading external laboratories.