Some Lessons from the Use of the RAINS Model in International Negotiations

Abstract

The Regional Air Pollution INformation and Simulation (RAINS) model provides a consistent framework for the analysis of strategies to reduce emissions of air pollutants focusing on acidification, eutrophication, and ground-level ozone [9]. The RAINS model combines information on the anthropogenic driving forces of emissions (with databases on current and future economic activities, energy consumption levels, etc.) on the sources of emissions, on emission control options and costs, on the atmospheric dispersion of pollutants, and on environmental sensitivities (i.e., databases on critical loads). In order to create a consistent and comprehensive picture of the options for simultaneously addressing the three environmental problems, the model considers emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A schematic diagram of the RAINS model is displayed in Figure 1.