Tag: WMO

EANET Regional Workshop 2024: Unlocking and Future-Proofing Air Quality Management in Asia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

18 June 2024, Bangkok, Thailand

Focused on unlocking and future-proofing air quality management in Asia, the regional multi-stakeholder consultation workshop was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 27 and 28 2024.  Co-organized by UNEP, ESCAP, and EANET, it aimed to improve multilateral and international cooperation on air pollution, drawing 212 participants from 32 countries, including representatives from academia, government, youth groups, NGOs, the private sector, and UN agencies.

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Opening Session

Ms. Maria Cristina Zucca, Head of the Pollution and Health Unit at UNEP opened the workshop. She stressed the health risks of air pollution, causing 6.5 million deaths annually, mainly in Asia-Pacific. She urged for robust action and multilateral cooperation, citing the UNEA-6 resolution on promoting regional cooperation on air pollution. Dr. Sangmin Nam, Director of the Environment and Development Division at ESCAP, highlighted the public health impact in Asia-Pacific and emphasized the importance of regional technical cooperation through RAPAP. Dr. Le Ngoc Cau, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Climate Change, and Chair of the Bureau of the 25th Intergovernmental EANET Meeting emphasized the significance of EANET and called for continued regional cooperation to advance air quality management, including monitoring additional pollutants.

Transitioning to future-oriented strategies, Dr. Andrea Hinwood, Chief Scientist at UNEP, delivered a keynote presentation on the importance of horizon scanning and strategic foresight in air quality management. She stressed the interconnectedness of air pollution, climate change, and biodiversity, and how these factors collectively impact public health and the environment.

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Horizon Scanning for Air Quality Management

The workshop continued with experts from the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, the Thai Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, and the Stockholm Environment Institute setting the scene on Air Quality Management in Asia.

Several strategies were proposed to effectively address air pollution. Firstly, the implementation of WHO guidelines on air pollution was advocated, with aims to save lives, disseminate knowledge, establish standards, promote dialogue, and contribute to climate action. Secondly, leveraging both Low-Cost Sensors and satellite data was suggested to bridge gaps in atmospheric monitoring. This approach could support existing monitoring networks and prioritize early warning systems for events such as Dust and Sand Storms (DSS) wildfires, and overall air quality. Thirdly, enhancing air pollution monitoring using satellite data was recommended, with a comprehensive approach that included mapping, monitoring, modeling, and measuring. Additionally, integrating data from various spheres such as the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere was proposed to gain a better understanding of air pollution dynamics. Collaboration with international organizations was also encouraged. Finally, recognizing clean air as a fundamental human right was emphasized. Prioritizing data collection on areas and populations most affected by air pollution was deemed essential for targeted interventions and policy formulation.

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Panel Discussion on Understanding the Transboundary Haze Issue

A panel of experts from the Thailand Environmental Institute, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, the governments of Lao PDR, and Japan discussed the Transboundary Haze issue in Asia.

Key actions were emphasized in addressing haze pollution. Collaboration among ASEAN countries was deemed crucial to address transboundary haze pollution, with a focus on implementing regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap. Engagement of various stakeholders beyond traditional forestry sectors, including agriculture and biodiversity sectors, was seen as necessary to address land-clearing practices. Developing robust warning systems like the WMO’s Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning Advisory and Assessment System was considered vital, alongside enforcing national laws and fostering regional cooperation to combat haze pollution effectively. Prioritizing sustainable land and forest management, particularly in regions like the Mekong countries, was highlighted as essential to prevent large-scale fires. Providing financial support for projects addressing air quality management and ensuring scientific findings translated into actionable solutions through community engagement and implementation-focused initiatives were both emphasized.

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Unlocking Finance for Clean Air in Cities

The session on unlocking financial resources for clean air initiatives brought together experts from various organizations including UNEP, the Clean Air Fund, representatives from the governments of the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Mongolia, the World Bank, and the Massive Earth Foundation.

National governments were advised to establish robust legal and policy frameworks and secure long-term funding for air quality initiatives. Government support, societal investment in environmental efforts, substantial funding mechanisms, and private sector involvement were deemed crucial. Learning from examples such as Mongolia, considering the environmental impact of small businesses, and raising awareness through NGOs was recommended. Regional cooperation, international funding channels, and domestic commitments to funding air quality projects were seen as essential. Climate action presented opportunities for industrial innovation. Reforming vehicle tax systems to prioritize mileage and emissions over vehicle type, inspired by successful reforms in Europe, could fund clean air initiatives.

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A Global Knowledge Platform on Air Quality

Juliette Laurent from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) emphasized the importance of assessment, political support, and future planning for air quality management, introducing the CCAC’s Air Quality Management Exchange (AQMx) initiative.

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Future Challenges and Solutions in Air Quality Management

The final session of the workshop addressed future challenges and potential solutions in air quality management. Experts from UNEP, the governments of Japan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, and ESCAP, participated in this session.

The discussions emphasized regional and subregional bodies, as well as financing institutions, to develop and implement regional solutions and cooperate on setting goals for air quality improvement, as outlined in UNEA Resolution 6/10. Panelists underscored the need for essential resource mobilization and tailored regional solutions to achieve significant air quality improvements. Strengthening international and regional collaboration through platforms such as RAPAP, EANET, and the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP) was recommended, focusing on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and joint research projects. It was also suggested to promote greater regional coherence and harmonization towards cleaner air, leveraging cooperative channels, and addressing regional ozone pollution. Prioritizing technology and innovation, improving data accuracy for public communication, and fostering international and regional cooperation were highlighted as essential for effectively combating air pollution. Leveraging geospatial data, ground-based sensors, digital technology, AI, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and fostering cross-border collaboration were also recommended strategies.

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RAPAP as a Collective Action Programme

The sessions on 28 May focused on the Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP) which was adopted by ESCAP member States at the 7th Committee on Environment and Development in 2022, and subsequently endorsed by ESCAP resolution (79/6). RAPAP provides a framework or reference for national, subregional, multilateral, and multistakeholder mechanisms to advance their cooperation agenda for clean air in the Asia Pacific region. The sessions aimed at exchanging information and updates on initiatives supporting regional clean air cooperation, identifying focus areas, and recommending actions to enhance collaboration and stakeholder contributions.

Experts from UN agencies, Development agencies, Foundations, the ASEAN, NGOs, research institutes, and Asian governments discussed opportunities for technical cooperation involving identifying training needs, sharing best practices, and promoting partnerships to tackle air pollution. Recommendations for accelerating regional cooperation were discussed, including developing coordinated strategies, enhancing air quality monitoring and technical assistance, and improving communication and stakeholder engagement.

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Useful Resources

Download the speakers’ presentations:

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to UNEP, ESCAP, and EANET.

National Stakeholder Awareness Workshop in China: Promoting Acid Deposition and Air Quality Management in East Asia

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

Bangkok, 18 January 2024

The EANET National Awareness Workshop in China: Promoting Acid Deposition and Air Quality Management in East Asia was held on 18 October 2023 at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and online, as a side event of the First International Conference on Chemical Weather and Chemical Climate (CWCC2023). The Workshop was co-organized by EANET and Fudan University and was joined by 50 participants.

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Opening Remarks

Mr. Zhou Jun, Director of the Asian, African, and Latin American Affairs Division of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, P.R. China, and EANET National Focal Point, delivered the opening remarks. He emphasized EANET’s two-decade journey in building a strong network and China’s commitment to its collaboration. China places high importance on EANET as a platform for expertise and knowledge-sharing and has actively supported its scope expansion. China has declared a “war” on air pollution and achieved a 57% reduction in average PM2.5 concentrations from 2013 to 2022 while doubling its GDP. Mr. Zhou Jun expressed China’s willingness to continue supporting EANET and collaborate for atmospheric environmental protection.

Prof. Xu Tang, from Fudan University, welcomed participants to the EANET side event at the First International Conference on Chemical Weather and Chemical Climate (CWCC2023). He explained the event’s focus on showcasing EANET and fostering collaboration, aligning with CWCC2023. Prof. Xu highlighted ongoing discussions about cooperation between EANET and Fudan University, particularly in capacity-building efforts.

Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET, outlined the workshop’s goals. He emphasized the connection between air pollution and climate change and the valuable opportunity for EANET to collaborate with Fudan University, which works closely with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and MAP-AQ. EANET has a strong history of monitoring acid deposition and air pollutants and providing high-quality data, and the Awareness Workshop aims to enhance interaction among researchers, scientists, and policymakers in China and beyond for the benefit of EANET Participating Countries and partners.

Some panelists and participants during the Workshop

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More than two decades of EANET

Dr. Meihua Zhu of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) discussed EANET’s evolution from the 1990s to its formal establishment in 2001, the adoption of the Instrument in 2012, and scope expansion in 2021. She highlighted EANET’s crucial role in policy development, data collection, annual Data Reports, and Periodic Reports on Acid Deposition in East Asia. Dr. Zhu also emphasized the availability of high-quality data on the EANET website. She introduced the Project Fund mechanism and its funded projects in 2023 and 2024. Dr. Zhu underscored EANET’s intergovernmental and cooperative approach in advancing shared knowledge and enhancing air quality in East and Southeast Asia.

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Acid Deposition and Air Pollution Management in China

Dr. Siyuan Liang of the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre (CNEMC), the National Center for EANET in China, presented China’s acid deposition and air quality management over recent years. In 2021, PM2.5 levels in cities at the prefecture level or above in China dropped from 46 μg/m³ in 2015 to 30 μg/m³, with significant reductions in PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and CO concentrations from 2013 to 2022. She highlighted 1,000 acid monitoring sites in 469 cities, including Chongqing, Lijiang, Wuzhishan, Xiamen, Xi’an, and Zhuhai sites, part of the EANET network, and highlighted the reduction in acid deposition pollution since 2005. Dr. Liang also presented the various advanced monitoring methods and big data platforms in use in China. She ended her presentation by mentioning the importance of further enhancing monitoring data for environmental management, covering various pollutants to aid decision-making.

Dr. Yangxi Chu from the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) presented China’s impressive air quality improvements over the last decade. Key achievements include stricter air pollution policies, enhanced vehicle emissions standards, clean residential heating, and joint air pollution prevention and control. Dr. Chu outlined China’s 2025 air quality goals and highlighted the role of science and technology in policymaking. He mentioned the National Joint Research Center for Air Pollution Control and its collaborative network, to recognize the main PM2.5 sources and to complete the “last mile” of scientific and technological applications to the ground. Dr. Chu showcased China’s substantial reduction in PM2.5 concentration nationwide and in Beijing, realizing air quality improvement as well as economic development.

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Discussion

Dr. Wei Wan from Clean Air Asia, China Office, discussed China’s journey toward cleaner air, emphasizing significant reductions in air pollutants from 2013 to 2021. She highlighted the successful balance between economic growth and air quality, attributed to revised air quality standards in 2012, among other policies. Dr. Syarif Romadhon from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) emphasized the importance of EANET’s collaboration and admired China’s example of economic development while reducing air pollution. Professor Gantuya Gambat from the German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology expressed appreciation for EANET’s efforts for uniting scientists and policymakers in particular through the EANET Project Fund activities.

Professor Greg Carmichael, from the University of Iowa, USA, and Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee of WMO-GAW, highlighted the significance of EANET from the perspectives of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW). He emphasized the importance of monitoring acid deposition in East and Southeast Asia and the collaboration between GAW and EANET. Professor Carmichael expressed gratitude for EANET’s data access and emphasized the need for relevant intercomparison models and emission projections.

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Closing Session

Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, DG at ACAP, delivered the Closing Remarks. He highlighted EANET’s two-decade experience in addressing acid deposition and improving air quality. Dr. Hatakeyama credited the collaborative efforts of the 13 Participating Countries for significant improvements in the atmospheric environment. He expressed admiration for the rapid enhancement of air quality in China and emphasized EANET’s contribution to bettering the atmospheric environment in East Asia. In 2021, EANET expanded its scope to include atmospheric environmental pollutants including ozone and PM2.5, recognizing that controlling these pollutants can yield co-benefits for human health, global warming, and climate change mitigation. Dr. Hatakeyama mentioned the Project Fund mechanism, fostering collaboration beyond the Participating Countries, and expressed hope for extended cooperation.

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Useful Resources:

-Read the Panelists’ Presentations:

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Photo credits: cover photo of Pudong Century Avenue, Shanghai, China (2021) by Iewek Gnos, all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.