Air-APS is responsible for following up different atmospheric issues in l'Ain, Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
For this the organisation employs different means of measuring to follow up all of the areas which make up l'Ain and the Savoie regions; the urban zones (the most populous), zones affected by industrial discharges or traffic pollution (the most polluted) and rural plains or mountainous areas.

In order to do this, it uses three different types of tools:

- Historically the first of these has been the measurement reference stations planted as permanent fixtures around the territory, often in the main urban centres - this is the case in Chamonix – but also sometimes close by – such as along the RN205 at Les Bossons.
- Mobile measurement tools, which permit the investigation, through an annual study, of less populated, but more specific areas.
- Mapping : the most recent of these tools, permits all the information to be collated and for the general public to be informed by means of maps.

The ten years’ worth of data confirms that nothing is ever safe. Even if we are operating in a superb environment, we must keep on protecting it, because it suffers numerous assaults.
Where the great majority of the population is living, the air quality is generally good for two-thirds of the time. All of our vigilance should be directed towards that final third.

The different studies are also full of educational value about the more specific problems and about ones which we don’t specifically try to evade. This is notably the case with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), of which very elevated concentrations have been measured in connection with industrial activity and our heating systems.
The air is not a fixed element ; the stakes are modified, policies change, rules appear and techniques evolve. Air-APS must respond and our work consists of putting in place tools adapted to new demands.

Air-APS is working daily to create these tools, which will enable a response to the emerging issues, with which we will have to be involved even if that is not already the case. These are notably:

- To evaluate the composition of newly regulated pollutants: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, heavy metals, very fine dust and pollens, among others.
- To have a better understanding of the quality of interior air, particularly that of public enclosed spaces such as educational establishments.
- To offer tools for the development of local climate plans. This will be an enormous project for which Air-APS can provide information on the current and prospective situations for greenhouse gas emissions.
- To be involved in the installation of institutions for plans and programmes (SCOT, PDU, …), which should allow the integration of concerns about air, energy and climate and to supply the collaborative elements necessary to carry out developments which will improve our environment.
- We are also asked about all the materials of concern propagated through the air, whether it be radioactivity, electromagnetic waves, PCBs, pesticides, and yet more subjects on which we cannot leave our citizens without an answer.
In the 10 years since Air-APS was created, a lot of knowledge has been acquired, and an enormous amount of information given out. Its task of observation has given way more and more to the task of support work for development policies, so that they can take into account the vast problem area which is our atmosphere.

For more info: www.atmo-rhonealpes.org

Météo-France is a public administrative organisation, whose job is to observe the atmosphere, the oceans and the snow cover.
Météo-France also has public service functions (Observation of dangerous phenomena, a weather warning map, avalanche risk prevention, climate change research, etc.). It also has commercial activities (private forecasting, climatology studies, etc.).

The departmental centre for Météo-France for Haute-Savoie is in Chamonix. It makes weather forecasts for the department, the avalanche risk forecast, as well as the climatology information (collection of data and carrying out studies).
A number of activities are carried out elsewhere by Météo-France, notably research into climate change, based in Toulouse, in which Météo-France is an international activist. Other activities concern the sea, aeronautics, meteorological observations on the ground, at altitude (weather balloons) or remote detection (radars, satellites, etc.)…

For more info: www.meteo.fr

The National Forestry Office (ONF) is a public industrial and commercial organisation, which was created in 1966. The main tasks of the ONF are the management of regional and publicly-owned forests covered by the Régime Forestière (protection of the forests guarantee), as well as carrying out tasks in the public interest assigned by the government.

The ONF is also developing various services: management, expertise, maintenance work, for the benefit of all clients in its fields of excellence, such as natural spaces, the environment, the wood trade and local development.
The ONF supports the commune of Chamonix Mont Blanc in its forestry management policy. It implements the exploitation of the forests through cabling and other forestry work to ensure the sustainable management of the forest. It participates in various local projects: forestry maps of the area, energy from wood…

For more info: www.onf.fr