Author: Aurélia Lemoine

EANET Seminar: Learnings on Reducing Emissions from Open Burning

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

7 September 2022 – Niigata, Japan

The Network Center for the EANET organized the Seminar « Learnings on Reducing Emissions from Open Burning » in a hybrid format, in Suwon, Republic of Korea, and online, on 6 September 2022, with the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) (UNEP) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategy (IGES) as co-organizers. The Seminar focused on good practices to reduce emissions from open burning and presented sustainable alternatives to improve air quality in the region. 144 participants from 17 countries from the Asian region and beyond joined the Seminar.

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Opening Session

Moderated by Ms. Maria Katherina Patdu, Associate Programme Officer – Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) (UNEP), the Seminar started with the Opening and Welcome Remarks by Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in charge of the NC for the EANET, and by Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Dr. Memon also co-moderated the second part of the Seminar.

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Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama and Dr. Mushtaq Memon delivered the opening remarks.

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Remarks emphasized the new role of the EANET with the expansion of its scope from acid deposition to air pollution (including PM2.5), and the technical and financial challenges leading to open burning practices in the region.

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Open Biomass Burning and Regional Challenges

Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, a Senior Instructor of the Faculty of Public Health, at Thammasat University, Thailand, presented the various causes of open burning in Thailand, with a particular focus on Northern Thailand’s situation and showed the direct impacts on air quality, the environment, and public health. In his presentation, he highlighted the challenges and needs for more government-driven incentives, policies, technical assistance, and education toward non-burning agricultural practices.

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Panelists during the Seminar. From left to right: Ms. Maria Katherina Patdu, Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, Ms. Etwin Sabarini, Dr. Eric Zusman, Dr. Alison Simcox, and Ms. Azka Ghaida.

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Sharing Good Practices to Reduce Open Burning

Ms. Etwin Sabarini, Programme Coordinator, Measurable Action for Haze-Free Sustainable Land Management in Southeast Asia (MAHFSA), ASEAN Secretariat introduced the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. She explained the history, objective, and framework of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution and focused her talk on the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS) initiative aiming at conserving peatlands, the largest carbon store in the ASEAN region.

Ms. Do Van Nguyet, Director at Live & Learn for Environment and Community, then shared examples of good practices from Viet Nam, including their collective action to control open burning in Hanoi. These included: policy development, monitoring, and technical assistance with a special focus on multi-stakeholder engagement.

Dr. Eric Zusman, a Senior Policy Researcher and Area Leader at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategy (IGES), presented priority actions in Southeast Asia to reduce open burning, and possible solutions, while analyzing barriers to their implementation based on the example of Thailand. To deal with these barriers, he explained the polycentric system approach, where different governing authorities may organize themselves in non-hierarchical relationships, and he emphasized the need to mix solutions of alternatives to open burning.

Dr. Alison Simcox, from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), shared an overview of agricultural burning and smoke management in the USA. After explaining the history of agricultural burning practices, she detailed the recent changes in practices and the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) focusing on the Smoke Management Program (SMP) and on alternatives to burning in the USA, such as no-till farming.

Dr. Ken Yamashita summarized the Seminar.

Ms. Azka Ghaida, an Air Quality and Climate Research Analyst at the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Indonesia, presented the use case of crop residue open burning in Indonesia by explaining the cause of the phenomenon, the government’s action, the barriers, and the solutions such as education and community involvement, sustainable farming and farm management practices.

Dr. Ken Yamashita who is Head of the Planning and Training Department at the Network Center for the EANET (ACAP) thanked all panelists and participants and summarized the Seminar by highlighting the key points of the challenges such as technical, financial limitations but also cultural barriers, and opportunities including mixed alternatives and operating in polycentric governance systems, to reduce open burning practices from ASEAN, Thailand, Indonesia, Viet Nam, and the USA.

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Useful Resources

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

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Photo credits: featured photo of Mù Cang Chai, Mù Cang Chai District, Yên Bái, Viet Nam (2020) by Hoach Le Dinh on Unsplash, other photos: all rights reserved to the EANET.

EANET Seminar on Expanding Monitoring Systems using LCS

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

23 August 2022 – Niigata, Japan

The Network Center for the EANET organized the Seminar on Expanding Monitoring Systems using Low-Cost Sensor (LCS) online on 21 July 2022. It gathered representatives, experts, and practitioners of air quality monitoring from the EANET Participating Countries, and other participants from international organizations, academia, and monitoring-related service providers. 127 participants joined the Seminar.

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Opening Session

The Seminar started with the Opening and Welcome Remarks by Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in charge of the NC for the EANET, and by Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Remarks were followed by an Introductory Presentation by Mr. Taku Ohmura from the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, Japan (OECC) on the Overview of issues and opportunities of using LCS for air quality administrations and surveys.

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Understanding Challenges and Opportunities of LCS

Key presentations by Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, a Senior Instructor of the Faculty of Public Health, at Thammasat University, Thailand, and by Dr. Alison Simcox from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), delved into the limitations and opportunities of Low-cost sensor technology (LCS) for measuring air quality in the contexts of Thailand and of the United States.

Dr. Keiichi SATO, Head of the Atmospheric Research Department at ACAP, in charge of the NC for the EANET, then introduced the results of a survey on a Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) and related technical studies in five EANET countries, namely Japan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

His presentation was followed by discussions and presentations by Ms. Karma Yangzom, a Principal Environment Specialist from the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), on ADB’s experience with LCS as part of the Technical Assistance (TA) 9608 on “Strengthening Knowledge and Actions for Air Quality Improvement”, and by Ms. Maria-Katharina Patdu’s presentation, an Associate Programme Officer, from the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), at UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, on air quality data challenges and opportunities in developing Asia.

While the lack of precision of LCS and the variety of qualities and standards of sensors, may lead to data misinterpretation and presentation issues, keynote speakers and panelists mentioned that the cost-efficiency of LCS and the wide use of these air quality sensors by “citizen-scientists” educate the public and inspire behavioral changes. In addition, the effective utilization of regular monitoring data for the quality control of LCS, the importance of consistent city, regional, and country-level monitoring, and the continued cooperation with other networks and international organizations, were also key points presented to mitigate the limitations of LCS.

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Download the Workshop’s Presentations

–Issues of LCS and Efforts Against the Issues: Thailand’s Experiences (presented by Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana)

–US-EPA’s efforts on wise use of LCS (presented by Dr. Alison Simcox)

–Results of the survey on HAQMN and technical studies in some EANET Participating Countries (presented by Dr. Keiichi Sato)

–Experience in using Low-Cost Sensors under ADB TA 9608 (presented by Ms. Karma Yangzom)

–Air quality data challenges and opportunities in developing Asia (presented by Ms. Maria Katherina Patdu)

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

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Photo credits: All rights reserved to EANET.

Acid deposition in East and Southeast Asia – EANET Researchers look at the science and policy over the last 30 years

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

3 June 2022 – Niigata, Japan

The well-renowned researcher Prof. Hajime Akimoto and co-authors recently published the article Development of science and policy related to acid deposition in East Asia over 30 years on the occasion of the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the EANET. 

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Acid Deposition and its Impacts

Acid deposition is a scientific phenomenon in which air pollutants, mainly sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and other air pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and forest fires. They are transformed via long-range transport and chemical reactions with water, oxygen, and other atmospheric chemicals, which produce nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and other acids in the atmosphere and come down on the earth’s surface. The deposition of acids on the surface causes detrimental impacts on the ecosystem, water bodies, soil, forests, and infrastructures.

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Evaluation of Policy Development

Based on three decades of knowledge on acid deposition in East Asia, Professor Akimoto and co-authors in EANET summarized the development of science and policy on acid deposition in East Asia over the period of 30 years.

In this article, the authors reviewed the state of acid deposition in East Asia since the 1980s and early 1990s and report important information on acidification of inland water, forest soil, and forest decline in the East Asia region.

In the context of broadening the scope of the EANET to include wider air pollution issues, Akimoto et al. also analyzed the past successes and future challenges the EANET will face in the coming years.

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Read the full article on the following link: Akimoto et al. (2022), Development of science and policy related to acid deposition in East Asia over 30 years, Ambio, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01702-6

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Continue the discussion on science, policy, and acid deposition in East Asia and ask questions to Professor Akimoto during The State of Acid Deposition in East Asia, from data to policy online awareness workshop on 20 June 2022.

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Photo credits: Indonesia by Ali Burhan (2021), free of the copyright license.

Mr. Bert Fabian appointed new EANET Coordinator

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

26 May 2022 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Secretariat is pleased to announce that the recruitment of a Temporary Job Opening (TJO) for an interim EANET Coordinator has been successfully completed with the selection of Mr. Bert Fabian, effective on 1 June 2022.

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Mr. Fabian has been with The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a Programme Officer since 2013 as lead for the Sustainable Mobility Unit’s activities in Asia and the Pacific. He has supported more than 15 countries in developing policies on transport, air pollution, and climate change and managed projects worth about 13.5 million USD including about 5.6 million USD allocated for Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Fabian coordinated the activities of UNEP with the Global Fuel Economy Initiative and managed the Electric 2&3 Wheelers project in East Africa and Southeast Asia. He also managed projects on strengthening the air quality management community of practice in Asia and the Pacific and on understanding the relationships between COVID-19 and air quality impacts, policies, and measures in cities. Prior to joining UNEP, Mr. Fabian was the Transport Program Manager of Clean Air Asia. He has also worked for the Asian Development Bank on various transport and air quality projects.

Mr. Fabian has published and contributed to several books and studies on transport, air pollution, and climate change, like the Urban Air Pollution in Asian Cities: Status, Challenges and Management (2006) and the Transport and Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Forecasts, Options Analysis, and Evaluation (2009). Mr. Fabian holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a major in Transportation, and a B.S. Biology degree from the University of the Philippines.

The EANET Coordinator can be contacted at eanetsecretariat@un.org

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Cover Photo credits: City Skyline by Thapanee Srisawat (2020), free of copyright license; profile photo: all rights reserved.

The EANET Emission Inventory Webinar Workshop on Open Biomass Burning – Join us on December 5th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

 
1. Background

One of the key sources of particulate matter (PM) pollution in the EANET Participating Countries especially in Southeast Asia, is the open burning of biomass such as agricultural wastes, forests, and municipal wastes.

Open burning of agricultural crop residues is one of the key sources causing severe air pollution. Reducing emissions from agricultural waste burning is among the 25 recommended clean air measures in Air Pollution in the Asia Pacific: Science-Based Solutions (UNEP and CCAC, 2018).

It is essential to understand the current status of emissions from open biomass burning sources to consider effective mitigation ways. The emission inventory is a powerful tool for this purpose. However, methodologies to estimate emissions from open biomass burning are much different from those for other anthropogenic sources.

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2. Objectives and Participants

The objectives of the Emission Inventory Webinar Workshop are to learn basic methodologies to estimate emissions from open biomass burning sources including considerable uncertainties. In addition, application methodologies of the emission inventories to analyze influences of open biomass burning emissions will also be introduced. Furthermore, participants will share short presentations about issues related to open biomass burning in their country, and discussions with experts will be conducted.

Target workshop participants are technical officers, practitioners, and policymakers who are involved in air quality management issues, especially in charge of or interested in developing a national emission inventory.

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3. Agenda and Program

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4. Registration

If you would like to participate in the EANET Emission Inventory Webinar Workshop on Open Biomass Burning, please send the registration form to the Webinar Workshop Secretariat (eiwws2022@acap.asia).

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

The EANET/IIASA International Workshop on Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface for Clean Air and a Sustainable Future in Asia – Join us on 19 December!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

Registration is now closed.

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1. Background

In many parts of Asia, the single greatest threat to human health and to a sustainable future is air pollution. A growing body of modeling research has employed emissions inventories, scenario development, and benefit estimation techniques to identify technological and behavioral changes that can limit that threat. The multiple benefits resulting from these interventions offer cost-effective solutions to air quality, public health, and other sustainable development concerns. One would therefore anticipate that the results that would translate easily into policy. However, this is not always the case. Frequently, there can be a disconnect between scientifically based models and the policies they seek to influence. It is therefore critical to discuss not only the most recent scientifically-based models but how that work can effectively interface with decision makers. In short, if models are going to matter, they need to be supported by efforts to strengthen the science-policy interface for clean air.

The EANET/IIASA International Workshop on Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface for Clean Air and a Sustainable Future in Asia will take place on Monday 19 December 2022, from 13:30-17:00 (Tokyo Time: UTC +9).

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2. Objectives and Participants

The primary objective of this half-day workshop is to provide learning opportunities on the state-of-the-art modeling analysis that can strengthen that interface in Asia.

This workshop consists of three sessions as follows:

  • Session 1 – Multiple development benefits of coordinated actions to tackle air pollution: This session is jointly organized by the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). The modeling analysis employed by a project activity of EANET is presented along with modeling analysis results from ongoing collaborative research projects between IIASA and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ) on multiple development benefits of coordinated actions to tackle air pollution.
  • Session 2 – Exploit synergetic linkages among SDGs: This session presents modeling analysis results from ongoing collaborative research projects between IIASA and MOEJ on synergies of achieving several sustainable development goals.
  • Session 3 – How to implement and promote a science-policy dialogue: This panel discussion session will discuss how we can design science-policy dialogue to reflect implications from modeling analysis to policy development and to co-design models by incorporating social and institutional dimensions of feasibility.

Expected targeted participants are policymakers, scientists, researchers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments working on air pollution-related problems in the EANET Participating Countries of EANET and beyond.

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3. Agenda and Program

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4. Date, Time, and Location

Date: 19 Dec 2022 (Monday)

Time: 13:30-17:00 (Tokyo Time: UTC +9)

Online: Register for the hybrid event here.

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET via email or by phone at (+81)25-263-0556.

The 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia – Join us on December 22nd-23rd!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine
1. Background

The EANET has developed a close relationship with the community of Model Inter-Comparison Studies for Asia (MICS-Asia) which is a project aiming at improving air quality and climate models not only by enhancing scientific understanding of the atmospheric environment but also by developing a common scientific understanding for policy-making in Asia. The International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia is a regular workshop of MICS-Asia which has received support from the EANET throughout the previous Medium Term Plans. Summaries of previous MICS-Asia workshops are available in the Reports of the Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) on the EANET.

Air quality models are effective scientific tools to understand the status of the atmospheric environment and evaluate the effects of mitigation measures. However, extensive experience is necessary to utilize air quality models effectively, and participating in workshops led by experienced researchers is a practical way to develop skills and expertise on this matter.

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2. Objectives and Participants

The International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia provides capacity-building opportunities for air quality modeling to the EANET. Its goal is to allow participants to become familiar with a methodology to analyze the status of atmospheric environment-related substances, including processes of atmospheric chemistry and physics, using air quality models. In addition, participants will learn from examples of the application of air quality modeling systems to evaluate recent atmospheric environmental problems as well as from the latest information on air quality modeling systems including settings and model configuration.

This workshop targets participants from the EANET Participating Countries who are experts in air quality modeling and are willing to improve their knowledge of air quality models’ implementation and want to learn about the latest information on recent air quality modeling systems. The workshop is also suitable for technical officers, practitioners, and policymakers from the Region who are involved in air quality management issues and interested in utilizing air quality modeling systems.

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3. Agenda and Program

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4. Registration

If you would like to participate in the 13th International Workshop on Atmospheric Modeling Research in East Asia, please fill in and send the registration form to the Workshop’s Secretariat (modelws2022@acap.asia).

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

EANET Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment, Human Health and Ecosystems – Join us on October 31st!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

 

The registration is now closed.

1. Background

As mentioned in the Medium Term Plan for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) (2021-2025), the Participating Countries established the EANET in 2000 to recognize increasing concerns about acid deposition due to rapid economic development in East Asia that had jeopardized environmental sustainability. The establishment of EANET has benefited from the viewpoint of environmental sustainability and the experience of Europe and other regions that have earlier carried out relevant activities for monitoring acid deposition and related substances, including quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), data accumulation, and evaluation. Over the span of 20 years, the accumulation of scientific knowledge and regional economic development, the environmental pollution situation worldwide, and the urgent and important fields of action have changed significantly, and, in November 2021, the Twenty-third Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (IG23) for the EANET made important decisions on the expansion of the scope of the EANET, from acid deposition, to also include a wider scope of atmospheric environment-related substances.

As the deterioration of the atmospheric environment by pollutants emitted from anthropogenic activities may cause adverse effects on humans and ecosystems, the Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment and Human Health and Ecosystems will allow discussions and experience-sharing with various stakeholders, such as policymakers, scientists, and the general public.

To further discuss and understand scientific knowledge and relevant policy measures, the Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment and Human Health and Ecosystems will gather renowned East Asian and European researchers and experts from academia (Hokkaido University, Japan, and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, China), international organizations (CLRTAP-UNECE, WHO, IIASA), and from the Network Center for the EANET, to share scientific findings on the effects of atmospheric deposition on human health and ecosystems, as well as best science-based practices for policy-makers to reduce the impacts of atmospheric pollutants.

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2. Objectives and Participants

The Workshop on the Relationship between the Atmospheric Environment and Human Health and Ecosystems will aim at:

  • sharing scientific knowledge on the relationships between the atmospheric environment and human health and between the atmospheric environment and ecosystems
  • showcasing science-based policy experiences on the reduction of atmospheric pollutants in other regions, such as Europe
  • contributing to sharing a common understanding of future directions for environmental measures to be developed by policymakers and scientists at the national and international levels

Although this event is open to the public, the expected participants will be mainly government officials from the EANET Participating Countries, scientists, such as the Scientific Advisory Committee members, Task Force members, other relevant scientists from the EANET and beyond, etc.

 

3. Agenda and Program

Useful Resources

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

Workshop on National Air Quality Monitoring Systems and Methodologies with Related Partners – Join us on July 6th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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The registration is now closed.

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1. Background

The EANET as an intergovernmental network in East Asia has achieved excellent progress in monitoring cooperation and had great progress in dealing with common concerned problems in the region. The EANET has been monitoring more than 18 atmospheric substances including ions at 64 monitoring sites in the EANET Participating Countries. EANET implements five monitoring items – wet deposition, dry deposition (air concentration), soil and vegetation, inland aquatic environment, and catchment-scale monitoring.

Depending on differentiated economic stages, industrial structures and meteorological conditions, Participating Countries face diversified environmental challenges and priorities, and even in the same region, the challenges differ from time to time. Therefore, in dealing with acid deposition and air pollution issues, it becomes critical to understand the latest atmospheric environment status in the EANET region firstly, and constantly keep up with the latest trend of air pollution measurements and state-of-the-art research methodology/technology, and fully utilize all aspects of resources to seek the solutions in improving air quality in EANET.

Through more than 20 years of activities, the EANET has established a comprehensive and integrated monitoring network, and EANET monitoring data has been used to evaluate and analyze the atmospheric environment in East Asia. The EANET has focused on the national level to promote cooperation among thirteen Participating Countries to address air pollution, including acid deposition issues, and has achieved significant progress in improving air quality in the East Asia region. However, considering the lifetime of air pollution substances, city-level air quality management is also important besides the national level. Furthermore, in terms of implementing management regulations and standards, along with initiatives from central governments, the local/city governments are also crucial in steadily carrying out various measurements.

To accelerate its further development, the Twenty-third Intergovernmental Meeting of the EANET reached an agreement to expand its scope and enable the EANET to conduct monitoring of more atmospheric environment-related substances. In response to this historical decision of scope expansion and steadily undertaking the necessary actions to adopt the changes of EANET, sharing the latest monitoring system and methodologies, discussing the most pressing challenges, and thinking together about possible solutions among the EANET Participating Countries with related partners are critical.

This workshop will gather different stakeholders (scientists and researchers, government officers, technicians including QA/QC managers, the representative of an international organization) together and invite them to discuss from different perspectives on how to overcome the challenges so as to improve the monitoring system in EANET.

This workshop will be divided into two sessions. The first session will briefly introduce the EANET monitoring activities and its function, followed by the case studies of Japan, R. of Korea, and China. In addition, the specific monitoring methodologies including QA/QC activities will be also introduced. In the second session, the panel discussion will take place involving different stakeholders to seek solutions for improving the EANET monitoring system.

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2. Objectives and Participants

This workshop aims to provide an opportunity of sharing a wide range of national and international experiences in the field of atmospheric monitoring, discussing the current development and future challenge of monitoring systems and related methodologies in EANET.

Although this event is open to the public, the expected participants will be mainly Representative of Participating Countries of the EANET including:

  • Central and local government officials from monitoring and air quality management related departments or divisions
  • Scientists, researchers, and technicians (including QA/QC managers and technicians) in the related area
  • Participants from related stakeholders, including representatives from UNEP and other regional and international organizations
  • The Network Center for the EANET, the Secretariat for the EANET

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3. Agenda

There will be two sessions based on the objectives of the workshop.

The first session aims to:

  • Provide an overview of the development of science and policy related to acid deposition in East Asia over 30 years.
  • Introduce the monitoring systems of Japan, R. of Korea, and China.
  • Discuss national monitoring system with QA/QC capacity for a wide range of monitoring stations, including mobile monitoring units, and introduce past experiences in order to expand possible opportunities in Participating Countries.

The second session aims to:

  • Provide discussion platform to various stakeholders to discuss the challenges the Participating Countries are facing, and seek possible or efficient solutions in improving monitoring system.
  • Provide useful and practical advice from scientific views in strengthening monitoring system from the SAC members of EANET.
  • Provide lesson learned and important insights for air quality monitoring management experiences towards resolving the related difficulties in the Participating Countries of the EANET.
  • Share Clean Air Asia (CAA)’s knowledge gained through the cooperation between cities that has been implemented over the years in strengthening and improving City’s air quality monitoring system.
  • Discuss opportunities of respective concerns or difficulties in further developing air quality monitoring systems in Participating Countries of the EANET involving different stakeholders.

In the second session following two guiding discussion points (tentative) will be provided.

  1. Air pollution issue are deferred from country to country, and deferred from time to time. Taking the latest trend of your country into account, what do you think are the most significant challenge such as targeted substances and spatial coverage for the EANET in improving atmospheric environment in 5-10 years ahead?
  2. International cooperation is critical from national to city-level in dealing with the regional air pollution issue. But, what is the pros and cons of the linkage between national-level and city-level cooperation, and what are the key points to optimize the co-benefit for the regional/city-level air quality in terms of monitoring system, its solutions and prioritized actions?

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Access the full Programme here.

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Download the Workshop’s presentations:

–Development and role of monitoring system in EANET and the case study of Japan

–Latest National and Local/City Monitoring System in the Republic of Korea

–Study on the Co-control of PM2.5 and Ozone Pollution in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Surrounding Region of China

–Monitoring methodologies and QA/QC activities in the EANET

-Introduction to EANET Project Fund and Project Activities 2022-2023

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

EANET Seminar: Learnings on Reducing Emissions from Open Burning – Join us on September 6th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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Registration is now closed.

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1. Background

One of the key sources of particulate pollution in Southeast Asia is the open burning of biomass. The solution to this problem in air pollution modeling research is broadly labeled as bans on burning; however, this solution is difficult to enforce and may cause further disadvantages for the poorest farmers.

There is sufficient evidence that alternatives to bans, including using crop residues for mulch and fertilizer or growing high-yield crops such as mushrooms, may offer a more sustainable solution.

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2. Objectives and Participants

Through this seminar, policymakers and practitioners will share their experience in dealing with sustainable solutions and present how national governments may enable the spread and replication of alternatives to open burning. Various viewpoints on the issue will be presented  and considered. One of the objectives of this seminar is to approach the issue of open burning from various perspectives of national governments, and other stakeholders, which may lead to incentives beyond the event.

In addition, the EANET seeks ways to assess the open burning problem in the context of the ASEAN’s activities.

Although this event is open to the public, the expected participants will be mainly policymakers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments working on air pollution-related issues, from the EANET Participating Countries of EANET and beyond.

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3. Agenda

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Download the concept note here.

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This seminar is a side-event of the Fourth Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) Joint Forum, find out more and register for the Fourth Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) Joint Forum here.

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For further inquiries on the Seminar, contact the Network Center for the EANET.