Clean air is a prerequisite for a good
quality of life for humans, animals and plants, and helps to prevent damage to
the soil and buildings.
With
this in mind, Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department officials last
week held the first Steering Committee meeting for the Vientiane Clean Air Plan
(CAP), which falls under the Clean Air for Smaller Cities in the Asean Region
project.
As part
of the development process for the Vientiane Clean Air Plan, the objective of
the meeting was to review recommendations from the technical team, and identify
key areas where further information or additional solutions are needed.
The
first phase of the project will run from January 2009 to December 2012.
The
objective of the project is to produce “a clean air plan that is widely
accepted by stakeholders and implemented in the city of Vientiane,” ac cording
to the department.
Indicators
to measure the achievement of that goal need to be established, taking into
consideration the considerable co-benefits of climate change mitigation.
Good
air quality doesn't just improve living conditions but is also one of the
benefits of climate change mitigation. Lower fuel consumption through less
driving and better maintained vehicles and boilers helps decrease carbon
dioxide emissions and reduce air pollutants, according to the department.
The
project ‘Clean Air for Smaller Cities in the Asean Region' is being implemented
as part of the ‘Cities, Environment and Transport' regional programme. Its
objective is to empower smaller cities to develop and implement Clean Air Plans
in conjunction with local government units, universities, civil society and the
private sector.
In its
first phase, up to 11 cities of between 150,000 and 1.5 million inhabitants are
being supported.
The
project also provides advisory services for baseline condition assessments,
such as air quality data, emission inventories, transport reviews and seeking
financial assistance through development banks.
The
project works in seven Asean member states - Cambodia, (Phnom Penh), Indonesia
(Palembang, Surakarta), Laos (Vientiane), Malaysia (Melaka), Philippines
(Cagayan de Oro, lloilo), Thailand (Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima), and Vietnam
(Bac Ninh).
Vientiane
has been selected as the participating city in Laos, following the selection
criteria agreed by the Asian Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable
Cities and German International Cooperation.
As the
sources of air pollution are comparable in Asean cities, developing CAPs can be
a systematic approach in mitigating air pollution in Asean. The project also
supports the improvement or initial design of air quality monitoring systems in
the participating cities through the provision of technical advice.
In a
demonstration of the long term commitment of the partner cities, Chiang Mai,
Nakhon Ratchasima and Palembang have already provided additional funding for
the establishment and improvement of the air quality monitoring system.
It is
expected that Vientiane will also allocate funds for the establishment of an
air quality monitoring network.
The
project has also developed standardised modular air quality management training
called ‘Train for Clean Air.' The project has developed five priority courses
including air quality management and air quality monitoring techniques for
different target populations, among them decision-makers, technical officers
and influencers (NGOs, media, civil society).
News
Desk
Vientiane
Times
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