The Working Group on Effects (WGE) of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) promotes international cooperation on research into and the monitoring of the impacts of air pollutants on human health and the environment. The FOEN coordinates Switzerland’s contributions.
The scientific activities of the CLRTAP Working Group on Effects (WGE) are carried out by six international cooperation programmes (ICPs) plus a working group focusing on health-related impacts of air pollution (Task Force on Health). The FOEN represents Switzerland within the WGE and coordinates the delivery of Swiss data, among other things.
ICP Waters (programme for the evaluation and monitoring of the effects of air pollutants on rivers and lakes)
The studies conducted by this programme form the basis for documenting the effects of cross-border air pollution on aquatic ecosystems. They show that international agreements aimed at reducing air pollution have successfully helped to improve the chemical and biological condition of bodies of water. In Switzerland, the monitoring programme is currently examining the mountain lakes and the River Verzasca in the canton of Ticino. The Canton of Ticino is overseeing this work.
ICP Materials (programme for studying the effects on materials)
This programme operates a European network of sites at which various materials are exposed to the influences of air pollutants in order to study their impacts in combination with natural factors (weather). The data collected is used to determine the relationship between exposure and impact, and to document trends in impacts and the effectiveness of air pollution control measures. Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) represents Switzerland in this programme.
ICP Modelling and Mapping (programme for modelling and mapping critical loads and levels)
The goal of this programme is to evaluate the harmful effects of air pollutants transported over long distances on forests, agricultural crops and (semi-)natural ecosystems such as moorland and species-rich natural meadows. Evaluations are carried out with the aid of ecological critical loads and levels. The programme provides data on the geographic distribution of sensitive ecosystems and on the extent of damage attributable to air pollutants in Europe. The resulting data are used to develop spatially differentiated air pollution control strategies while simultaneously verifying the success of the emission-reduction measures implemented. The FOEN participates in this programme along with other institutions.
ICP Forests (programme for evaluating the impacts of air pollutants on forests
The main objectives of this programme are to monitor the status of forests in Europe and further scientific understanding of the cause/effect relationships between observed damage and stress factors. Atmospheric deposition is regarded as a decisive impact factor. In Switzerland, studies are carried out within in the following programmes: Long-Term Forest Ecosystem Research, Sanasilva and the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
ICP Vegetation (programme for the evaluation of the impacts of air pollutants on natural vegetation and agricultural crops)
The programme investigates and assesses the effects of air pollution on agricultural crops and wild plants. It focuses in particular on the effects of ground-level ozone and the atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and nitrogen on vegetation.
ICP Integrated Monitoring (Program for the Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems)
This programme aims to assess and forecast the effects of air pollutants on ecosystems (or catchment areas), including on flora and fauna. The physical, chemical and biological parameters are observed in parallel at a specific site over a long period of time.
Task Force on Health
The Task Force on Health is under the leadership of the European Centre for Environment and Health (ECEH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It assesses the impact of air pollutants and long-range cross-border air pollution on health. It aims to quantify the risk to health and help set priorities for future strategies on monitoring and combating air pollutants.
Further information
Links
Dokumente
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Deposition of atmospheric pollutants in Switzerland (Summary)Chemical analysis of mosses 1990–2015. 2018
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Impacts of air pollution on Alpine lakes and riversChemistry and biology in Alpine lakes and rivers in Southern Switzerland relate d to acidification from long-range transboundary air pollution: Monitoring results from 1980-2004. 2006
Last modification 11.07.2025
