AEA is Gibraltar's rock on air quality

Since this article was published, AEA Technology plc’s business, operating assets and employees were acquired on the 8 November 2012 by Ricardo plc and transferred to a new subsidiary, Ricardo-AEA Ltd. All employees were transferred to Ricardo-AEA Ltd as part of the acquisition and remain available for the execution of all projects via the new company, as are the entire capability and resources previously represented by AEA Technology plc. All individuals remained at previous locations with all offices being retained.

The Gibraltar Government, through the Gibraltar Environmental Agency, has appointed AEA Technology plc to help it meet its European air quality obligations. AEA will build on the work it has already done to help Gibraltar meet the requirements of the EU Air Quality Directive, and will support continuing improvements to the natural environment for the territory's 29,000 residents.

AEA will apply an innovative programme of policy support, air quality measurements, analysis and data management in support of the Gibraltar Environmental Agency. This includes the ongoing management, and expansion, of various measurement networks including three advanced automatic air pollution measurement stations.

Geoff Dollard, Practice Director, AEA said:

"Gibraltar is one of the major ports on the Mediterranean, this presents a range of environmental challenges as well as significant economic benefits. The territory is working hard to achieve the air pollution limit values and has committed to substantial measures to reduce concentrations under its Air Quality Action Plan. Our approach will bring fast results and reliable data to those who need it, when they need it to promote the most focussed and effective allocation of investment."

The British territory has already worked with AEA on a wide range of assessment and air quality management programmes in Gibraltar, all prescribed by rules set out under EU Directives, helping fulfil Gibraltar's obligations under EU legislation.

Louis Poggio, Director of the Gibraltar Environmental Agency commented:

"AEA has brought authoritative, wide ranging advice and in-depth expertise to help us model, measure, analyse and report the quality of our ambient air. Since first contracting AEA to set up our air monitoring network and website, our relationship with them has developed to the point that we consider them an integral part of our operation."

Gibraltar is an important base for British Armed Forces and one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. It is home to a population of some 29,000 Gibraltarians, concentrated into six square kilometres, resulting in one of the highest population densities in the world.

Full press release (PDF)