Air Pollutants Projections Using SHERPA Simulator: How Can Cyprus Achieve Cleaner Air

Air quality is a vital factor for safeguarding public and environmental health. Particulate matter (i.e., PM2.5 and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide are among the most harmful air pollutants leading to severe health risks such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while also affecting the environment negatively by contributing to the formation of acid rains and ground level ozone. The European Union has introduced new thresholds on those pollutants to be met by the year 2030, taking into consideration the guidelines set by the World Health Organization, aiming for a healthier environment for humans and living species. Cyprus is an island that is vulnerable to those pollutants mostly due to its geographic location, facilitating shipping activities and dust transport from Sahara Desert, and the methods used to produce electricity which primarily rely on petroleum products. Furthermore, the country suffers from heavy traffic conditions, making it susceptible to high levels of nitrogen dioxide. Thus, the projection of air pollutants according to different scenarios based on regulations and policies of the European Union are necessary towards clean air and better practices. The Screening for High Emission Reduction Potential on Air (SHERPA) is a tool developed by the European Commission which allows the simulation of emission reduction scenarios and their effect on the following key pollutants: NO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, PM10. This study aims to assess the potential of the SHERPA simulation tool to support air quality related decision and policy planning in Cyprus to ensure that the country will remain within the thresholds that will be applicable in 2030.