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Introduction to the methods and uncertainties of the Environmental Data Compendium

Emission data


In many cases, it is impossible to make direct measurements of emissions, especially on the national scale. A combination of measurements, corporate statements and models is always involved. Many of the emission data presented were provided by the Coordination Committee for Target Sector Monitoring - a broad alliance answering to the Environment Inspectorate - and the Commission on Integrated Water Management. These data are also included in the annual report Emissiemonitor (CCDM, 2003). Where possible, at least one reference is given for the presented data. These references can therefore be consulted for further background information.

Environmental quality


The presented developments in environmental quality are, with isolated exceptions, based on measurements. Models based on measurements are sometimes used for assessments on the national scale. Models of this kind bring together available knowledge about the environmental system, link measurement data and establish the relationships between emissions and the resulting environmental quality.

Uncertainties in the indicators


Some tables or explanatory texts provide information about the uncertainty in the figures presented. They refer to the 95% confidence interval, sometimes expressed as a percentage, for the presented value. Environmental quality measurements generally allow for a further assessment of calculated emissions in terms of plausibility. In the report 'Meten, Rekenen en Onzekerheden', the RIVM discusses at length the models, monitoring networks and methods used in the Environmental Balance, as well as the uncertainties in the figures (RIVM, 1999).

References


  • CCDM (2003). Emissiemonitor, Jaarcijfers 2001 en ramingen 2002. Datawarehouse-Emissieregistratie. Coordination Committee for Target Sector Monitoring, The Hague.
  • RIVM (1999). Meten, Rekenen en Onzekerheden. De werkwijze van het RIVM-Milieu-onderzoek. rapportnr. 408129005. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven.