Author: Aurélia Lemoine

EANET Highlights Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Solutions at the Africa Sensor Network Town Hall

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

15 July 2026

The Sensor Network Town Hall: Strengthening Data Flow and Use of Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) in African Cities was held virtually on 16 June 2026, in the lead-up to the Africa Clean Air Forum 2026, organised by the Africa Clean Air Network (AfriCAN). Bringing together experts from Africa, Asia, and Europe, the event explored practical approaches to building sustainable low-cost sensor (LCS) networks that generate reliable air quality data to support policy, research, and public health. The Network Center participated in the Sensor Network Town Hall on behalf of EANET.

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Sharing East Asia’s experience to strengthen air quality monitoring in Africa

In his opening remarks, Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha, AirQo Project Lead and Chair of the Department of Computer Science at Makerere University, Uganda, emphasized the importance of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and local capacity to build sustainable air quality monitoring systems across African cities. He also noted that the discussions would inform the Africa Clean Air Forum 2026 Sensor Management Workshop and contribute to the development of regional best practices for sensor network management.

From left to right: Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha delivering the Opening Remarks; Dr. Sato presenting the EANET’s HAQMN project

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Following this, and on behalf of the Network Center for the EANET, hosted by the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), Dr. Keiichi Sato presented “Developing Guidelines and Operational Frameworks for Low-Cost Sensor Networks: Lessons from EANET.” During his presentation, he highlighted EANET’s work on developing Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Networks (HAQMN), which integrate low-cost sensors with reference-grade monitors to produce reliable, quality-assured air quality data while expanding monitoring coverage at a lower cost. Drawing on demonstration projects in several countries in Southeast Asia, he shared lessons on sensor deployment, calibration, quality assurance, operational procedures, and capacity building. He noted that EANET has also developed technical guidelines, operational manuals, and training programmes to help countries, including outside of the EANET, establish and manage sustainable hybrid monitoring networks.

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Common challenges, shared solutions

The Sensor Network Town Hall highlighted that many of the challenges faced by African cities are similar to those encountered in East and Southeast Asia. Dr. Hermínio Cossa, from the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM), presented Mozambique’s BLAZE Project, which is expanding PM₂.₅ monitoring across urban and rural areas using reference-grade instruments while providing real-time, open-access air quality data. The project also supports public awareness, policy development, and stronger air quality management, while addressing practical challenges such as equipment importation, infrastructure constraints, and long-term network maintenance.

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From left to right: Dr. Hermínio Cossa presenting the BLAZE project and Achim Haug presenting AirGradient’s and UNDP’s Air Quality Monitoring Toolkit

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Achim Haug, Founder and CEO of AirGradient, introduced an open-source air quality monitoring toolkit developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Designed for governments, municipalities, civil society, and communities, the toolkit provides practical guidance to plan, deploy, and maintain affordable monitoring networks. It emphasizes capacity building, high data quality, affordability, and local ownership of air quality data, helping ensure that monitoring networks remain sustainable over the long term.

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Building partnerships for cleaner air

Across the presentations, speakers emphasized that successful air quality monitoring depends not only on technology but also on robust quality assurance, institutional capacity, open data, and strong partnerships. The Sensor Network Town Hall reinforced the importance of international collaboration in strengthening air quality monitoring systems and demonstrated how knowledge exchange between regions can accelerate evidence-based policies for cleaner air and healthier communities.

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Access the EANET Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network Guidelines.

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Useful resources:

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Photo credits: Featured photo by Clinton Mwebaze (2022).

 

Expanding Air Quality Monitoring with Low Cost Sensors: What Policymakers and Practitioners Need to Know

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

6 March 2026

The UN Environment Programme’s Global Environment Outlook 7 (GEO‑7) warns that “globally, six out of the top ten countries with the worst air pollution levels are from Asia and the Pacific, leading to respiratory diseases, poor health and lower agricultural productivity”. Against this global backdrop, EANET’s two new publications offer region‑specific guidance to help countries deploy Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Networks (HAQMN) that combine reference‑grade monitors with Low‑Cost Sensors (LCS).

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Guidelines for Establishing a Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network – Strategic direction for policymakers and planners

While reference-grade monitors have been traditionally used for air quality monitoring, based on their reliability and high accuracy, they also require a high investment and strong technical operation knowledge. Sensors refered to as ‘Low-Cost Sensors’ (LCS), on the other hand, have appeared in the recent years with improved technology related to the size and energy efficiency, lower cost and easier deployment, in particular in zones with limited infrastructures. However, LCS lack the same measurement precision and require maintenance and data analysis. The complementary use of LCSs and reference-grade monitors is referred to as Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors (HAQMN), as described in these EANET Guidelines.

The Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors Guidelines provide governments with a strategic framework for integrating LCS into existing reference‑grade networks. They emphasize that LCS should supplement, not replace,  reference-grade monitors, ensuring expanded coverage without compromising accuracy. They also lay out critical principles such as robust Quality Assurance and Quality Control practices, contextualized network planning, and clear differentiation from the EANET’s traditional monitoring practices and guidelines.

Aimed at senior government officials, these Guidelines describe institutional responsibilities, site selection criteria, and governance considerations. They serve as supporting documents to the EANET’s existing technical manuals, helping countries in the region and beyond expand monitoring capacity methodically and consistently.

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Technical Manual for Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low‑Cost Sensors – Operational guidance for technicians and practitioners

The Technical Manual provides detailed, operational instructions for implementing and maintaining LCS within hybrid networks. It includes step‑by‑step procedures for LCS assembly, installation, calibration, site preparation, communication systems, maintenance, and safety.

The document also incorporates expanded Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures—such as data screening, bias correction, and performance evaluation—reflecting technical revisions made after expert review. It is designed for technicians, field operators, and analysts responsible for ensuring high‑quality, reliable data.

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How the Two Reports Work Together

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A Regional Response to a Global Environmental Warning

Together, EANET’s Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Guidelines and Technical Manual form a comprehensive, region‑tailored toolkit that intend to help countries modernize their monitoring systems, strengthen data quality, and better protect public health.

Adopted by the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET in November 2025, both publications reflect the increased interest to intergrate the use of new technologies for air quality monitoring in the EANET countries, in line with the EANET’s recently launched Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030).

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Read the Guidelines for Establishing Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) in the EANET region

Read the Technical Manual for Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors: Implementation Guidelines in EANET

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Photo credits: Ho Chi Minh by Andrei Miranchuk (2019).

EANET Monitoring Data Drives Scientific Research in 2024–2025

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

9 February 2026

EANET data continued to play an important role in international scientific research during 2024–2025, with over 135 peer-reviewed papers using the network’s long-term monitoring datasets to examine atmospheric chemistry, ecosystem impacts, and regional air-pollution trends. The number of research highlights the important scientific value of harmonized regional monitoring systems in addressing regional air-pollution challenges.

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Advancing Understanding of Atmospheric Deposition and Air Pollution

A large share of recent publications used EANET observations to investigate wet and dry deposition of nitrogen, sulfur, and other atmospheric pollutants across East and Southeast Asia. Studies examined long-term deposition trends, spatial variability of precipitation chemistry, and seasonal patterns in pollutant concentrations (e.g., Temporal and seasonal variations in high-concentration precipitation samples at EANET sites in Japan: 20 years of wet-deposition data, 2025; Spatiotemporal distribution in chemical composition of wet atmospheric deposition in Bandung, Indonesia, 2024), contributing to improved understanding of how emission changes influence regional environmental conditions.

EANET datasets were also widely applied in atmospheric modelling research. Scientists incorporated the measurements to evaluate chemistry-climate models, refine emission inventories, and improve simulations of aerosol formation, transport, and deposition processes (e.g., Evaluation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide simulated with the EMAC chemistry-climate model using satellite and ground-based observations, 2025). Such work strengthens the reliability of regional and global air-quality projections used in policy and climate assessments.

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Regional Data Supporting Global Science and linking Air Pollution, Ecosystems, and Climate

Beyond atmospheric science, researchers increasingly used EANET data to explore environmental impacts of deposition on ecosystems. Recent studies analysed nitrogen inputs to lakes and forested watersheds, relationships between acid deposition and vegetation changes, and long-term variations in stream and precipitation chemistry (e.g., Wet and dry deposition of atmospheric nitrogen to Lake Erhai Basin: Composition, spatiotemporal patterns and implications, 2025). These findings help clarify how atmospheric pollution interacts with climate variability and ecosystem health across the region.

In addition, several global-scale investigations incorporated EANET measurements to evaluate worldwide nitrogen-deposition trends and to assess future scenarios under changing socio-economic and climate conditions (e.g., Changing patterns of global nitrogen deposition driven by socio-economic development, 2025), demonstrating the EANET’s contribution to global environmental assessments.

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Strengthening Evidence-Based Regional Cooperation

The increasing number of publications using EANET data reflects both the growing accessibility of standardized monitoring datasets and the importance of long-term observations for regional cooperation. By providing comparable measurements across multiple Participating Countries, EANET enables cross-country analyses that support scientific collaboration, policy evaluation, and improved understanding of regional air pollution.

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Useful Resources:

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Photo credits: a house on a hill with mountains in the background (2023) by Charles MingZ.

Sustainable Nitrogen Management Seminar 2025 Highlights EANET’s Role in Tackling Nitrogen Pollution

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

20 January 2026

The Sustainable Nitrogen Management Seminar 2025 – Accumulation of Nitrogen Data in EANET was held online on December 22, 2025 bringing together 58 participants. Organized under the EANET Project Fund Activity 2025-04 by the Network Center for the EANET, the seminar focused on strengthening the accumulation, analysis, and utilization of nitrogen-related data to address growing regional and global nitrogen pollution challenges.

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Addressing Nitrogen Beyond Planetary Boundaries

The seminar opened with remarks underscoring nitrogen as a pollutant that has transgressed planetary boundaries, posing serious risks to ecosystems, human health, and climate. Speakers referred to the 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management that calls for sustainable nitrogen management worldwide. Against this backdrop, EANET’s role as a long-term regional monitoring network in East Asia was positioned as increasingly critical for evidence-based policymaking.

Moderated by Dr. Hiroyuki Sase of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), serving as the Network Center for the EANET, the session highlighted how EANET’s Medium-Term Plan (MTP) 2026–2030 places nitrogen management as one of the core objectives. Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of ACAP, emphasized that EANET’s extensive datasets on atmospheric concentration and deposition offer a strong foundation for advancing sustainable nitrogen strategies and supporting international environmental cooperation.

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Advancing Nitrogen Monitoring Science

The technical session showcased cutting-edge research and monitoring approaches. Professor Kazuhide Matsuda from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology presented an assessment of atmospheric nitrogen deposition using EANET data. He drew attention to the growing significance of reduced nitrogen (ammonia) and the challenges of accurately measuring it, particularly the artifact problems associated with traditional filter-pack methods. He proposed passive samplers as a practical, cost-effective option for expanding ammonia monitoring across rural and forested areas.

Complementing this, Dr. Yongjoo Choi from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies demonstrated how CrIS satellite data, combined with in-situ measurements and machine learning bias correction, can map ammonia concentrations with high spatial and temporal resolution. His findings revealed elevated ammonia levels over agricultural and livestock-intensive regions in Republic of Korea, especially during summer, illustrating the value of integrating satellite and ground-based observations.

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Focus on Ammonia and Deposition Complexity

A major discussion theme was the complexity of ammonia (NH₃) deposition, particularly its bidirectional exchange between the atmosphere and ecosystems. Depending on environmental conditions, ammonia can be either deposited or re-emitted, complicating net flux estimates. Participants stressed the need for improved models, enhanced measurement techniques, and hybrid data approaches to better understand ammonia’s ecological impacts.

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Strengthening Collaboration for the Future

In closing, Dr. Fan Meng, Deputy Director General of ACAP, thanked the speakers and participants for their active engagement. The seminar concluded with a shared understanding that enhanced monitoring, innovative data analysis, and international collaboration will be essential for managing reactive nitrogen pollution effectively across the EANET region.

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Find out more about the EANET Project Fund.

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Useful Resources:

–Event Summary

-Presentations:

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Photo credits: Japan (2019) by Nomadic Julien.

Joint SATREPS–EANET Training Advances PM2.5 Source Apportionment Capacity in Cambodia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

15 January 2025

From 1–5 December 2025, EANET and the Japanese Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) jointly organized a five-day hybrid training program focused on PM2.5 chemical analysis and source apportionment techniques, in Niigata, Japan to support air quality monitoring in Cambodia and in Southeast Asia. The initiative, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA SATREPS) and the EANET Project Fund (Project 2025-01), gathered seven Cambodian researchers and government officials, as well as experts from Kanazawa University and Nagasaki University. A total of 232 participants joined onsite and online.

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Strengthening Monitoring and Analysis for Southeast Asia

Opening on 1 December, the training took place in Niigata, Japan, at the Asia Center for Pollution Research (ACAP), serving as the Network Center for the EANET. The training started with an introduction to the ongoing AIR-SATREPS project “Establishment of a Risk Management Platform for Air Pollution in Cambodia”, implemented by Kanazawa University with the Institute of Technology of Cambodia. The project aims to reinforce air monitoring infrastructure, establish analytical capacity for particulate matter, and support local practitioners in managing air pollution challenges.

EANET’s Network Center provided additional context on regional cooperation and emerging priorities, including VOCs monitoring, and the newly adopted Medium-Term Plan for the EANET (2026–2030).

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Hands-On PM2.5 Components Training

On 2–3 December, participants took part in onsite laboratory sessions on inorganic ion analysis using PM2.5 roll tape samples. Lectures and demonstrations from Nagasaki University and the EANET Network Center emphasized Ion Chromatography (IC) procedures and data processing. The training also focused on Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) to improve the precision of analytical outputs, an essential step for source apportionment studies.

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Applying the PMF Method for Source Apportionment

On 3–4 December, participants explored the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) modeling technique, used globally to identify air pollution sources from particulate matter data. Practical exercises guided trainees through model installation, running simulations with demonstration datasets, and matching factor profiles with known emission indicators. Case studies from Japan, Thailand, and Viet Nam illustrated how PMF analysis informs air quality management policies in the region.

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Broader Insights: Haze Detection and VOCs Monitoring

The final day featured lectures on haze prediction technologies, including satellite observation, emission inventories, and Chemical Transport Models. A session on EANET’s Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) monitoring project showcased measurement methods and initial results from field studies in Mongolia, the Philippines, and Cambodia, with plans to develop technical guidance for VOCs monitoring in the EANET countries in the near future.

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Find out more about the EANET Project Fund.

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Useful Resources:

-Read the training summary

– Read the Procedures for PMF Analysis

-Read the Lecture of Methodology of PMF analysis / Practice of PMF analysis using demo data

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Photo credits: cover photo by Daniel Bernard (2020); other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Highlights the Future of Air Quality Monitoring at Clean Air Week 2025

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

15 December 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

Experts gathered during the EANET Regional Awareness Workshop during Clean Air Week 2025 to discuss how innovative technologies, empowered communities, and strengthened governance frameworks will be critical to tackling Asia’s air pollution crisis, in Bangkok, Thailand, on 26 November 2025.

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A Collaborative Platform for Clean Air Solutions

Co-organized by the EANET and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the session titled “Next-Generation Air Quality Monitoring: Technologies, Communities, and Governance for Clean Air” convened policymakers, scientists, civil society leaders and technology innovators to explore how air quality monitoring systems can evolve to better protect public health and the environment. The session brought together over 100 in-person participants (and around 50 online participants), with strong representation from both women and men across government, academia, civil society and the private sector.

Air pollution remains the world’s leading environmental health risk, with Asia bearing a disproportionate share of its impacts. Participants agreed that while reference-grade monitoring stations remain essential, their usage can be complemented by low-cost sensors. Emerging tools, including low-cost sensors, satellite observations, artificial intelligence, numerical modelling and open-source platforms, are transforming how air quality data are generated, shared and used for decision-making.

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Setting the Scene: From Data to Action
Ms. Siwaporn Rungsiyanon

Opening the session, Ms. Siwaporn Rungsiyanon of Thailand’s Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, underscored the importance of reliable, policy-relevant data in driving effective air quality management.

The session was moderated by Ms. Yujeong Kim, Senior Programme Management Officer at UNEP and Ad Interim Coordinator, Secretariat for the EANET, who highlighted the need to better connect scientific innovation with governance and public participation.

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Showcasing Innovation and Regional Experience

A series of lightning presentations illustrated how next-generation monitoring approaches are being applied across different contexts. Prof. Gao Jian of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) shared lessons from China’s air quality management experience, including applications relevant to urban environments such as Bangkok. Mr. Achim Haug of AirGradient demonstrated how open-source, hyperlocal monitoring toolkits can complement official networks and improve access to air quality information.

Assoc. Prof. Sirima Panyametheekul from Chulalongkorn University highlighted the practical contributions of validated low-cost sensors to air quality management and policy implementation. From a regional perspective, Dr. Meihua Zhu of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), the Network Center for the EANET, outlined EANET’s strategic directions for 2026–2030, emphasizing sustainability and regional cooperation.

Advanced scientific tools were also featured, with Dr. Bertrand Bessagnet of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) presenting innovations in numerical air quality modelling through the CHIMERE model.

Panelists and the audience during the Regional Awareness Workshop

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Communities, Governance and the Right to Know

The role of communities and civil society was emphasized during the Workshop. Mr. Nuttawut Teachatanawat of the Clean Air Fund (CAF) shared insights from the Breathe Bangkok Initiative, demonstrating how community-led air quality and health monitoring can support data governance. Ms. Penchom Saetang of EARTH highlighted the significance of Thailand’s Pollution Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) bill in strengthening transparency, public participation and the right to know.

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Looking Ahead: Collaboration for Cleaner Air
Prof. Meng Fan

An interactive discussion explored how innovative monitoring technologies can be integrated into existing reference networks, how trust in air quality data can be built through legal and institutional mechanisms, and how regional platforms, including UNDP’s Clean Air for Blue Sky Asia initiative, presented by Prof. Heekwan Lee, from Incheon National University, can strengthen capacity across Asia.

Closing the session, Prof. Meng Fan, from ACAP, emphasized that the future of air quality monitoring lies in collaboration between governments, researchers, and communities, and invited for collaboration with the EANET. By combining cutting-edge science with inclusive governance and citizen engagement, next-generation monitoring can become a powerful driver for cleaner air and healthier lives across the region.

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Useful Resources

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Adopts New Five-Year Plan at the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting in Bangkok

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

17 December 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Twenty-seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG27) on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 27 to 28 November 2025, in the margins of the 2025 Clean Air Week. Representatives from the 13 Participating Countries of the EANET joined the hybrid Intergovernmental Meeting, in person and online. About 70 participants from the EANET countries, Secretariat and Network Center for the EANET, UNEP, and observers, engaged in key discussions focusing mainly on the future activities of the Network, including on the adoption of the new Medium-Term Plan for the EANET (2026-2030).

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Strengthened Regional Cooperation to Address Air Pollution

Hosted and chaired by the Kingdom of Thailand, the IG27 started with Welcome Remarks by Mr. Chirapong Kuhakanchana, Deputy Director General, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand. In his remarks, Mr. Chirapong underscored Thailand’s recent air quality improvements and strong national actions and reaffirmed the country’s full support for strengthened regional collaboration through the EANET.

Dr. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Regional Office Asia Pacific (ROAP), delivered the Opening Remarks. In her remarks, she emphasized the region’s persistent air pollution challenges and recognized EANET’s progress over 25 years. Dr. Tsering underscored the urgency of stronger regional cooperation and upcoming transitions, including EANET’s new Medium-Term Plan and broader UN reforms.

Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), delivered the Introductory Remarks, and highlighted East Asia’s air pollution challenges. He emphasized EANET’s crucial role and emerging priorities and underscored the importance of the IG27 in adopting the Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030) and the 2026 Work Programme and Budget.

Left to right, Dr. Dechen Tsering, Mr. Chirapong Kuhakanchana, Dr. Toshimasa Ohara

The session elected Thailand as the Chairperson, Lao PDR and Viet Nam as Vice-Chairpersons, and Japan as the Rapporteur. The Bureau of the IG27 will remain in office until the next Intergovernmental Meeting, to be held in Niigata, Japan, in November 2026.

From right to left – Dr. Toshimasa Ohara, Dr. Le Ngoc Cau, Ms. Siwaporn Rungsiyanon, Ms. Yujeong Kim

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EANET’s Future Direction and Strategy

In addition to adopting several important documents, such as the 2024 Progress and Financial Reports, and Work Program and Budget in 2026, the IG27 also endorsed the 2024 Data Report and the Report on the Inter-laboratory Comparison Projects, the Guidelines for Establishing Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network, and the Technical Manual for Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors, which had been approved by the Twenty-fifth Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC25) on the EANET held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 20 to 22 October 2025.

Furthermore, in a key decision, the IG27 approved the EANET’s new Medium-Term Plan (MTP) (2026–2030), which concluded discussions from a series of consultations and meetings in 2024 and 2025.

The MTP (2026-2030) aims to define the strategic outcomes and priority actions for EANET’s work programme for the next five years in line with the EANET Instrument and its Annex. The fifth MTP (2026-2030) is the first MTP that substantially addresses EANET’s expanded scope with wider atmospheric environment pollutants which was adopted in 2021 at IG23.

Participants at the IG27 meeting
Additional US$380,000 Allocated for Air Quality Projects in 2026

In addition to the Core Budget of the EANET for its ongoing activities focused mainly on monitoring, and supporting its meetings and awareness activities, the IG27 approved eleven EANET Projects under the EANET Project Fund.

The proposed projects cover a comprehensive set of technical and capacity-building priorities, including the collection of long-term atmospheric nitrogen data, advanced PM2.5 source identification, and broader integrated monitoring efforts that also strengthen understanding and capacities of ozone and VOC pollution across the region. They further support improved use of satellite observations, and stronger national skills in emissions monitoring, financing strategies, and project planning. In parallel, the portfolio promotes regional leadership through fellowships, international trainings for government officials, and targeted workshops on sustainable agricultural practices and air quality legislation—providing EANET countries with practical tools to better manage air pollution in East and Southeast Asia.

A total of over US$387,000 was pledged through the EANET Project Fund, including financial and in-kind support from China (Fudan University), Japan (MOEJ), Thailand (Pollution Control Department, and the Thailand Environment Institute), the Republic of Korea (NIER), and UNEP.

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Read the MTP (2026-2030) and the Report of IG27.

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View the IG27 photos.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

Highlights from the Twenty-fourth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC24) on the EANET

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

7 November 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Twenty-fourth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC24) on the EANET took place from October 29 to 31, 2024, in Seoul, Republic of Korea and online, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, and the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Republic of Korea. The session gathered over 55 representatives from the 13 EANET Participating Countries, along with the Network Center and the Secretariat for the EANET, to discuss the network’s recent achievements, assess key reports, and contribute suggestions for the upcoming Medium-Term Plan (MTP) of the EANET (2026-2030).

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Progress of EANET in 2023-2024

EANET reported substantial progress in its 2023-2024 core activities and project activities. This included advancements in both acid deposition research and broader air quality management issues, reflecting the network’s expanded scope. The Secretariat and Network Center highlighted successful activities, such as capacity building, project implementation and workshops to enhance awareness of air pollution challenges across East Asia. They also presented updates on EANET’s acid deposition and air quality monitoring, PM2.5 characterization, and ecosystems impact assessment. Among others, findings emphasized the effects of nitrogen on ecosystems and identified major pollution sources like biomass and plastic combustion. Pilot trials for a Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network revealed challenges in using Low-Cost Sensors, necessitating the need to further review the guidelines for low-cost sensor use in conventional air quality monitoring. A review of emission inventories and source apportionment studies in Southeast Asia underscored the need for further improvement and standardizing methodologies.

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In-person participants at the SAC24

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Adoption of Key Reports and National Monitoring Plans

A central aspect of SAC24’s discussions involved reviewing and adopting essential EANET reports. The 2023 Data Report provided an in-depth overview of monitoring data on wet and dry deposition, soil and vegetation, and inland aquatic environment in the 13 Participating Countries. Meanwhile, the Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Report documented quality assessments across laboratories within the network, ensuring consistent analytical standards. Updated National Monitoring Plans were also reviewed, underscoring countries’ commitments to refining their data collection and monitoring capabilities. The adoption of these reports marks a significant step forward, providing reliable data that will support scientific research and policy decisions across the region.

 

Countries’ suggestions for the Next Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030)

The SAC24 engaged in forward-looking discussions regarding the next Medium-Term Plan (MTP) of EANET (2026-2030). Participating Countries offered valuable insights aimed at strengthening the monitoring network, expanding capacity-building efforts, and refining targeted pollutants in line with regional environmental priorities. Suggestions included developing sustainable monitoring frameworks that integrate advanced data collection methods, such as low-cost sensors and satellite data. Participants also emphasized the need for enhanced monitoring of specific pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and PM2.5, while strengthening regional collaborations to align EANET’s objectives with international air quality standards. These insights will serve as a foundation for shaping EANET’s future strategies and objectives.

In conclusion, the SAC24 underscored EANET’s commitment to enhancing scientific collaboration across East Asia. The discussions and decisions during this session laid the groundwork for furthering EANET’s mission in air quality management and pollution control. Looking ahead, EANET’s focus on expanding its monitoring capabilities and strategic planning will be instrumental in addressing the region’s growing environmental challenges.

Recommendations from the SAC24 will be further considered in November 2024 by the 26th session of the Intergovernmental meeting (IG26) on the EANET, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Read the SAC24’s Report of the Session.

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View the meeting photos on Flickr.

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Photo credits: featured image of Bukhansan National Park, Bogungmun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (2024) by Elliot Gouy; other images: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET’s 25th Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting: Key Outcomes and Discussions

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

3 October 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand

The 25th Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting of the EANET took place on August 28-29, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand, hosted by the Network Center for EANET. The meeting brought together 30 Senior Technical Managers from the 13 Participating Countries to review the progress of the Data Report 2023 and the 2023 Report of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Project, and discuss National Monitoring Plans in 2024, as well as future directions for air quality monitoring.

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Progress Updates and Data Review

The meeting began with opening remarks from the Network Center and the Secretariat for the EANET. A report on the progress of EANET since the last Senior Technical Managers’ Meeting (STM) was presented, covering advancements in various monitoring areas, including wet and dry deposition, soil, vegetation, and aquatic environments.

Following this, attendees reviewed the preliminary draft Data Report 2023, which details findings on environmental conditions across different matrices. The evaluation of the 2023 Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) Project was also discussed, focusing on wet and dry deposition, soil, and inland aquatic environments.

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Participants at the STM25 in Bangkok

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National Monitoring Plans and Future Directions

The meeting also focused on presentations related to National Monitoring Plans and current monitoring activities of the Participating Countries. Each country shared updates on air concentration monitoring and technical challenges, including equipment issues and the need for continued maintenance support.

Discussions covered future developments in EANET’s monitoring and analysis activities, with an emphasis on expanding the monitoring network and integrating cost-effective, hybrid air quality monitoring systems. Participants also addressed the potential for capacity-building efforts related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen management.

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Key Trends and Findings

The Data Report 2023 revealed decreasing levels of sulfate (SO4²⁻) and nitrate (NO3⁻) across many monitoring sites, signaling a positive recovery from acid deposition in the region. However, ongoing monitoring is essential to confirm these trends. The meeting emphasized the importance of data sharing, timely submissions, and continuous QA/QC of data.

The STM meeting concluded with a summary of National Monitoring Plans by the Network Center, highlighting the progress made and identifying areas for future development. Dr. Meng Fan, Deputy Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), praised the Participating Countries for their continuous efforts and contributions to improving the EANET data quality. He called for ongoing collaboration to strengthen EANET’s role in combating acid deposition and air pollution in East Asia.

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Find out more about EANET data.

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Photo credits: Bangkok, Thailand, by Nopparuj Lamaikul (2024), all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

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Indonesia Hosts Pivotal Air Quality Events Showcasing Collaborative Solutions and Regional Action

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine
From left to right: Mr. Iyad Kheirbek, Director of Air Quality, C40; Mr. Rachmat Kaimuddin, Deputy, CMMI; Ms. Liang Wenyue, Director General, Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau; Ms. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director UNEP; Mr. Rui Luo, Director of Global Energy Transition, Bloomberg Philanthropies

26 September 2024 – Jakarta, Indonesia

In the first week of September 2024, Indonesia hosted a series of key air quality events showcasing collaborative solutions and regional action. These included the workshop “Advancing Science-Based Local Actions to Combat Air Pollution in Greater Jakarta” (Sept 2-3) by Viriya ENB and Clean Air Asia, the “Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum” (Sept 4) organized by hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies in collaboration with Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment (CMMI), and the “Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (ISF)” (Sept 5-6), led by the CMMI.

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Advancing Science-Based Local Actions to Combat Air Pollution in Greater Jakarta

The workshop Advancing Science-Based Local Actions to Combat Air Pollution in Greater Jakarta discussed the city’s worsening air quality and actions to address this issue. Opening remarks by Dr. Suzanty Sitorus (Viriya ENB), Mrs. Velly Asvaliantina (CMMI), and Ms. Catherine Witherspoon (ClimateWorks) emphasized the importance of science in tackling pollution. Information on air pollution sources shared by CMMI revealed that vehicles contribute 42%-57% of pollutants during the dry season and 32%-41% during the rainy season, with coal-fired plants, construction activities, and open waste burning also contributing significantly. Discussions included efforts to reduce pollution, such as shifting to renewable energy, and challenges such as upgrading fuel quality to Euro4 standards were also highlighted. Experts from Thailand (Thailand Pollution Control Department – PCD), China (Beijing Transport Institute, Center for Science and Environment – CSE) and Indonesia (Jakarta Transportation Management Body – Badan Pengelola Transportasi Jabodetabek/BPJT –  and Institute for Transportation and Development Policy – ITDP) called for stricter emission standards, better fuel quality, and the promotion of electric vehicles.

On the second day, experts from EANET, Peking University, China, the National Research and Innovation Agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi/ BRIN), the Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES), the Clean Air Fund (CAF), and the Imperial College of London, stressed the need for collaboration between scientists and policymakers for tailored solutions, as pollutant compositions vary between cities. Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET, emphasized the need to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy implementation to create effective and locally appropriate air quality strategies. He highlighted the role of EANET in scientific cooperation among countries in East Asia including Indonesia, and its new mandate to work on air pollution.

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Advancing Science-Based Local Actions to Combat Air Pollution in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia
Some panelists at the Workshop Advancing Science-Based Local Actions to Combat Air Pollution in Greater Jakarta on 3 September 2024. From left to right: Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator, Secretariat for the EANET; Ms. Fu Lu, China Director, Clean Air Asia; Mr. Didin Permadi, Lecturer, National Institute of Technology; Ms. Puji Lestari, Professor, Bandung Institute of Technology; Mr. Mohammed Mead, Head of Air Quality Measurement, Imperial College of London; Ms. Ririn Radiawati Kusuma, Indonesia Director, Clean Air Asia

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Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum

On September 4, the Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum convened, marking a milestone as the first forum of its kind in the region. The event provided an inclusive platform to accelerate people-centered climate solutions. A key breakout session focused on air pollution and inclusivity, featuring panelists from C40 Cities, UNICEF Indonesia, DILANS (The Movement of Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly in Indonesia), and PT Transportasi Jakarta (the city’s public transport operator).

The session stressed the need to involve vulnerable and marginalized communities in efforts to tackle air pollution and ensure access to clean air. According to PT Transportasi Jakarta, although public transportation covers 98% of Jakarta, only 13 bus-stops currently offer accessibility for disabled individuals.

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Indonesia International Sustainability Forum

The Indonesia International Sustainability Forum, held on September 5-6, was inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who reiterated the nation’s commitment to addressing climate change, energy transition, and sustainability goals. Indonesia reaffirmed its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions in the face of the growing climate crisis.

During Plenary 5, “Pioneering Solutions for Urban Air Pollution,” speakers, including Ms. Dechen Tsering, UNEP’s Executive Director for the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; Mr. Rui Luo, Director of Global Energy Transition at Bloomberg Philanthropies; Ms. Liang Wenyue, Director General of Beijing’s Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau; and Mr. Iyad Kheirbek, Director of Air Quality at C40, shared insights into addressing urban air pollution in some of the most polluted cities in Asia Pacific. The session highlighted the importance of regional cooperation to tackle the transboundary nature of air pollution. UNEP, which hosts the EANET Secretariat, also emphasized the role of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)’s Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP) in fostering greater regional collaboration.

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These events underscored the urgent need for collaborative science-based solutions to combat air pollution across Southeast Asia, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration —from science to policy — and ensuring inclusivity in finding sustainable solutions.

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Find out more about the EANET and its air quality monitoring stations in Indonesia.

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Photo credits: cover photo: the fifth plenary discussion at the Indonesian International Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2024 at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Senayan, Jakarta, on 5/9/2024. ©ANTARA FOTO/Novrian Arbi/Spt. All other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

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