December 2, 2017, Nairobi, Kenya PRESENTATIONS DRAFT WHITE PAPER
Governments, multi-lateral organizations, members of the public and other stakeholders are increasingly motivated to take action as a result of a growing understanding of the negative health and environmental effects associated with high levels of air pollution. Unfortunately, there is a critical lack of air quality data in most developing countries. Countries can take action without making substantial investments in air measurements systems. However, any robust air quality management system should include a measurement component to address country-specific policy objectives and document trends over time. This draft document provides guidance and recommendations, for developing countries, oriented by measurement objectives and country contexts, to policy makers at various stages in the air quality management process. At this time, the authors are seeking input on this draft. If you would like to provide comments, please send them to the team.
Discussion Draft: Filling the Gaps: Improving Measurement of Ambient Air Quality in Low and Middle Income Countries [.PDF]
Executive Summary: Filling the Gaps: Improving Measurement of Ambient Air Quality in Low and Middle Income Countries [.PDF]
Filling the Gaps: Executive Summary
Governments, multi-lateral organizations and the private sector are increasingly motivated to take action as a result of a growing understanding of the negative health and environmental effects associated with high levels of air pollution. Unfortunately, there is a critical lack of air quality data in most low and middle income countries (LMICs). Countries can take action without making substantial investments in air measurements systems. However, any robust air quality management system should include a measurement component to address country-specific policy objectives and document trends over time. This document provides preliminary guidance and recommendations, oriented by measurement objectives and country contexts, to decision makers at various stages in the air quality management process.
Key Messages
1. Measurement strategies must be selected to fit a purpose. Air quality monitoring strategies should be informed by countries’ air quality management goals and monitoring needs.
2. Measurement systems are necessary but not sufficient to reduce air pollution. Air quality measurement strategies must be placed in the context of a broader air quality management program, with a focus on achieving emission reductions and improvements to public health, rather than being an end itself.
3. A successful, sustainable monitoring strategy requires more than equipment. There are critical human and institutional systems needed to sustain equipment and ensure that data quality remains high, and that any data collected can be analyzed and communicated to decision makers in support of desired objectives.
4. The purchase price of monitoring equipment is not the full cost. Other considerations include ongoing operation and maintenance, spare parts, filters (if applicable), data management and staff training. When considering a purchase, full consideration of all these costs is critical.
5. Satellite-based remote sensing is promising, but does not replace ground based monitors. There is a role for this information and certain purposes that make it worth exploring but can only be fully effective when combined with some amount of ground level data.
6. Quality assurance plans are one of the most critical components of an air measurement strategy. Decision makers must have confidence that the monitoring data underpinning their decisions is of an adequate quality to withstand scrutiny, especially when there are significant financial and programmatic investments being made based, at least in part, on that data.
7. Air quality data can be a powerful tool to inform the public about the dangers of air pollution. Publicly available data can support communication efforts so people can take action to protect themselves. An informed public can help advocate for the investments needed to reduce pollution and also be a part of people powered emission reduction strategies, e.g., vehicle emission testing or cookstove change-out programs.
8. Securing and sustaining high quality air quality data globally is a challenge. This challenge can be met if governments, academics, the private sector and civil society work together to find creative solutions. There is a clear business case to be made for improving public health by reducing air pollution.
Implementing a global network of measurement technologies offers a unique opportunity for private enterprise, government, international organizations, academia and civil society to work together toward the common goal of characterizing and better understanding, and then reducing, the air pollution that sickens and kills millions of people each year, most of them live in developing countries.
Event Presentations
