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Issue No. 18 January - March, 2012
The Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) promotes better air quality and livable cities by translating knowledge to policies and actions to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from transport, energy and other sectors
2012 is BAQ Year! The Better Air Quality conference is the leading conference on air quality in Asia, covering transport, energy, industry and climate change, with a particular emphasis on government policies and measures. The conference brings together more than 600 leading experts, policy makers and the private sector from Asia and globally and has proven to shape policies, initiate new projects and establish partnerships. BAQ is CAI-Asia’s flagship event since 2002. This regional event was started in Hong Kong by the late Kong Ha of Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, who served as CAIAsia Chair from 2004 to 2007. BAQ 2012 will be held in Hong Kong from 5 to 7 December co-organized by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities, Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and World Bank. BAQ Conference will be held in parallel with the Motor Vehicle Emissions Control (MoVE) workshop that
is co-organized by Hong Kong EPD, Hong Kong PolyU and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The BAQ 2012 theme is “Growing Cities, Healthy Cities”, reflecting the challenge of creating livable cities with blue skies and a low carbon footprint in the face
of increasing urbanization, and ensuring that people’s health is no longer affected by poor air quality.
Watch out for more conference updates and announcements at www.baq2012.org.
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Clean Fuels and Vehicles Program
Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - Quarterly Newsletter Conference abstracts are accepted until 30 May 2012. Priority will be given to abstracts that focus on Asia, new research and innovative policies and solutions on • Low Emissions Urban Development • Ambient Air Quality and Impacts • Air Quality and GHG Management • Transport Systems and Modes • Motor Vehicle Emissions and Fuels • Industry and Other Sources
PRE-EVENTS
http://www.baq2012.org/preevent/ Asia Autogas Summit Organized by the World LP Gas Association December 4 l Venue: TBA
BAQ 2012 SPONSORS
BAQ 2012 SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
We invite private sector companies a that work on air quality, climate change, transport and energy to sponsor BAQ 2012 and
http://www.baq2012.org/supporting-organizations/
http://www.baq2012.org/sponsors/
• Be recognized as a leader in your field of work relevant to air quality, climate change, transport, or energy • Communicate with and influence the most relevant decision makers and stakeholders on air quality and climate change in Asia and worldwide • Increase exposure to your company’s products and services.
• Proposing the session format (e.g., presentations, panel) • Reviewing abstracts received by the BAQ Secretariat on the topic • Propose selection of speakers/panelist based on abstracts received and direct approach of speakers and panelists
• Chair the session and report results and key recommendations to the BAQ Reporting Committee for inclusion in the closing plenary and BAQ Report. • Support at least 8 participants to BAQ
Platinum Sponsor
Philippines and Vietnam Advance Fuel Economy Discussions
The supporting organization works together with the CAI-Asia Center to organize a 1.5 hour breakout session as part of the BAQ conference. The role of the supporting organization would include:
• Propose the selection of poster presenters
Diamond Sponsor
January - March 2012
Partial List of BAQ 2012 Supporting Organizations as of March 2012: Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, CITA RAG AA, Cities Development Initiative for Asia, FIA Foundation, GIZ-Clean Air for Smaller Cities, GIZ-Sustainable Urban Transport Program, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Institute for Transport Policy Studies, International Council on Clean Transportation, IUAPPA, Sida, and USAID CEnergy.
CAI-Asia, together with the United Nations Environment Program – Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles, is working to establish fuel economy or efficiency standards for vehicles in ASEAN countries including the Philippines and Vietnam as part of the Global Fuel Economy Initiative. For the Philippines, several fuel economy meetings have been held with stakeholders since the start of 2012 to push for collaborative efforts in fuel economy standards-setting. The policy formulation and standards-setting is being discussed through the existing Committee on Harmonization of Vehicle Standards and Regulations chaired by the Department of Transportation and Communication. Other committee members include representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (Vice-Chair), Department of Energy, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Climate Change Commission and academe and private sector.
The Department of Energy and Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards will serve as lead government agencies in the issuance of the official Philippine National Standards for fuel economy. CAI-Asia serves as the Secretariat for the fuel economy meetings in the Philippines with support from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Climate Change. Meanwhile, Vietnam is preparing to enforce Euro 4 motor vehicle emission standards by 2017 and is also engaged in active discussions to advance efforts towards fuel economy standards. A meeting of stakeholders was held last March 22 in Hanoi which was jointly organized by Vietnam Register and CAI-Asia, through the Vietnam Clean Air Partnership (a CAI-Asia Country Network). Both Philippines and Vietnam recognize that establishing fuel economy standards would contribute to their countries’ efforts to mitigate climate change and more importantly enhance fuel efficiency and fuel security.
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Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - Quarterly Newsletter
Air Quality and Climate Change Program
China Releases New Ambient Air Quality Standards On 29 February 2012, the China State Council passed the roadmap for ambient air quality standards with the aim of improving the living environment and protecting human health. The Ambient Air Quality Standards (GB 3095-2012) prescribes the first-ever limits for PM2.5 (particulates with diameter of 2.5 microns or less). It also modified the previous area classifications by combining Class III (special industrial areas) with Class II (residential, mixed use areas). The new standards are comparable to the interim targets (IT) set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Specifically, Grade II PM2.5, PM10 and O3 (8-hour) standards are same as WHO IT-1. The new standards will be implemented on 1 January 2016 for whole China. In accordance with the Guidance of Promoting Joint Prevention and Control of Air Pollution and Improving the Regional Air Quality, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) may
require some cities to implement the new standards before the 2016 implementation schedule. At the same time, provinces are also encouraged to implement the new standards even before 2016, as soon as the cities under their jurisdiction are ready. “This is a milestone development in advancing health-based air quality management in China and an important regulation which will contribute to the overall improvement of livability of Chinese cities,” said Yan Peng, China Director of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia). “This is in line with CAIAsia’s work on tracking air quality levels and promoting the development of a roadmap for ambient air quality standards in Asia which will be comparable to international guidelines.” A detailed comparison of GB 3095-2012 and WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) is provided in the table below.
*Grade I is for Natural Protection Area and Other areas which need special protection. *Grade II is for Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Rural Area
January - March 2012 In China, the CAI-Asia has received official recognition by the MEP as a partner in reaching out to Chinese cities on air quality management. Since 2005, CAI-Asia and the MEP co-organized 7 city AQM workshops. City AQM Workshops are organized by CAI-Asia and MEP at least once per year for the CAI-Asia China City Network which has 13 members: Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou,
Guiyang, Hangzhou, Harbin, Jinan, Lanzhou, Luoyang, Qingdao, Tianjin and Urumqi. Representatives from Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB), Shanghai EPB, and EPBs of other large cities are also involved in the workshops. Furthermore, CAI-Asia is now working with cities and provinces in Yangtze River Delta and in South China/Pearl River Delta to support regional collaboration on AQM.
CAI-Asia Letter to China’s Ministry of Environment Protection The Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Center (CAI-Asia Center) is an international environmental organization committed to improve air quality in Asian cities. We are very pleased to see the recently released draft amendments to ambient air quality standards and its preparation description. We believe that this initiative will promote the progression of air quality management in China, and contribute to the improvement of the residents’ health. We clearly see the efforts from your team in the preparation description, including international practices from different countries and China’s specific conditions. Therefore, we only list the following points that we think is important to share with you. These elements are based on our knowledge and long experience in this field, as well as the status of PM2.5 standards across Asian countries. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us. • The establishment of air quality management in the long-term vision and objectives needs to be complemented by the recent mid-term and phased goals, to show more prominent role of the standard in the overall air quality management measures. • After the implementation of the revised ambient air quality standards, supervise and promote the development of city’s air quality management plan (Clean Air Action Plan) and information dissemination (Clean Air Reporting) work, focusing on scientific and transparent procedures and forms. • In considering the shorter time (e.g., hour value) as indicators of air quality index, we must also consider the maximum concentration value of time at a specific monitoring point, to facilitate research on the health effects. • The location of monitoring sites should represent 1) the exposure of different types, such as mixing zones and street 2) relatively sensitive and vulnerable areas, such as near schools or hospitals. • Urge cities to set PM2.5 monitoring points with existing PM10 sites, to analyze the actual proportion of PM2.5 in PM10. • Urge cities to carry out both PM2.5 and PM10 source apportionment studies to determine the composition and source of fine particulate matter. • Support studies on the health effects of PM2.5.
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Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - Quarterly Newsletter
Air Quality and Climate Change Program
Dissemination and Training Workshops for Urban Air Pollution & Co-benefits Analysis in Six Indian Cities
This project intends to generate interest for analytical modelling of air pollution in a co-benefits framework linking both the mandates of city regulatory bodies are taken into consideration: (a) to control pollution for better health of the city inhabitants and (b) to support climate policy with possible CO2 and non-CO2 precursor emissions from various sources in the city. The project is designed as a series of workshops and training events: • Four city workshops will be in the case study cities – Pune, Chennai, Indore, and Ahmedabad which will include presentations on methodologies, study results (emissions and scenarios), and conclusions as well as demonstration of the analytical tools. • One national workshop in Delhi – with select participants from the case study cities and invitees from government, non-government, and academic institutions in Delhi. The national workshop will also
include discussion on next steps and possible roll-out to more cities. • One three-day SIM-air training workshop in Delhi which will include lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on training on the SIMair family of tools for urban air quality management. Brief report of the AQM dissemination workshops: On 15 March 2012, the first of the workshops was held at Indore Hotel Fortune and co organised by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Indore office. The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. A Mishra, Regional Officer of MPPCB and attended by over 30 officials of PCB and industry. For Pune, it was held on 21st March 2012 at the Indradhanushya Citizenship and Environment Education Centre in partnership with Pune Municipal Corporation (Pune, India). The programme was done with Dr. G Beig who briefed
about (TBC) Online continuous air quality monitoring systems for Pune city and Dr. A Ojha, (TBC) Emissions inventory development for Pune. In Ahmedabad, it was organised on 23rd March 2012 at GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar. The workshop was done in partnership with the Gujarat Pollution Control Board(GPCB). The programme was inaugurated by Dr KU Mistry, Chairman GPCB and well attended by officials from the PCB. In Chennai it was organised on 27th March with the Institute for Financial Management and Research, Chennai. Various stakeholders such as senior officials from TNPCB, NGOs, Academe, Researchers attended the event which chalked out various measures to and capture data and reduce emissions. Attendees were also educated about India Pollution Map and Analysis of Action Plan a program developed by IFMR that studies air pollution data.
Low Emissions Urban Development Program
January - March 2012
Transport systems in the ASEAN and its member countries in 2050:
Vice Minister Bambang Susantono of the Ministry of Transport, Indonesia addressed senior government officials and transport experts in the forum “ASEAN in 2050: The Transport System and its Implications on Energy, Environment, and Climate Change” held in Bali, Indonesia on 22 February 2012. The forum is the kick-off meeting for the Study on Long-term Action Plan for Sustainable and Low Emissions Transport in the ASEAN supported by the Institution for Transport Policy Studies (ITPS) based in Japan and implemented in cooperation with the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Center (CAI-Asia) and the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in UK.
The ASEAN and its member countries are increasingly playing a vital role in the global economy with rising GDP growth and investments. However, it is also one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change and continues to face the problems brought about by the current transport systems such as air pollution, chronic traffic congestion, and road fatalities. The Vice Minister said that “To deal with the growing threat of climate change in ASEAN, the challenge for the transport sector is to find and to implement a sustainable pathway for transportation that limit GHG emissions from transport and minimize other negative externalities
NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE AND LOW EMISSIONS TRANSPORT
without compromising economic growth and social inclusion. To successfully address this challenge, ASEAN will have to ensure that transport is increasingly integrated in climate policies and that climate becomes a standard and accepted part of transport policies.” The meeting was attended by representatives and experts from selected ASEAN member countries including Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), International Transport Forum (ITF), and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). This Study on Long-term Action Plan for Sustainable and Low Emissions Transport in the ASEAN will estimate CO2 emissions from 2005 until 2050 considering different transport modes and fuel use, as well
as air pollution. As a next step, potential policy packages will be identified, in consultation with policy-makers and transport experts at the national and regional level, to keep CO2 emissions in 2050 at the same level as 2005 and improve transport systems in the ASEAN using the Visioning and Backcasting approach. Initial results of this Study including the development of the Visioning and Backcasting tools will be presented later this year as part of the Better Air Quality Conference 2012 in Hong Kong, SAR on 5-7 December 2012. This Study is a follow-up to the initial analysis conducted by CAIAsia for the ASEAN and selected member countries as part of the Study of Transport System in a Low Carbon Society led by the ITPS with support from the Nippon Foundation.
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Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - Quarterly Newsletter
Low Emissions Urban Development Program
January - March 2012 increased demand for mobility. Instead, the workshop uses the new mobility paradigm to develop sustainable transport systems. This is done through Avoid-ShiftImprove measures, taken from a publication of the German International Cooperation, and accepted by several organizations including CAI.
ideas abound for a walkable Metro Manila
Wider sidewalks, more green BY CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA NEWS Published March 19, 2012 via www.gmanetwork.com
Metro Manila is far from what could be called a walkable city. In less than ten minutes of walking in the EDSA-Ortigas area, for instance, one realizes just how unpleasant it is. The sidewalk is narrow, the ground is uneven, there are few covered areas, the lighting is poor, and on top of everything, the air is very polluted. When it rains, mud puddles only make things worse. At the Ortigas CBD New Mobility Mapping Workshop on Tuesday, participants from various sectors put their heads together to come up with ideas to improve mobility around the area. With the objective of creating more efficient, cost-effective, and eco-
friendly transportation for everyone in Metro Manila, the workshop gathered together representatives from the government, NGOs, big businesses, and the academe. “This is a unique opportunity to be creative in shaping the future of our community,” said ADB Country Director Neeraj K. Jain in his welcome remarks during the workshop on March 13. Building Roads: an old paradigm Participants were first taken for a short walk around the Asian Development Bank complex, where the workshop was conducted by the Clean Air Initiative-Asia, and the Ateneo School of Government’s Innovations at the Base of the Pyramid in Asia Program. After the walk, participants revealed the existing New Mobility Grid—a map
Measures consistent with the new paradigm can be seen in China, where they have very wide pedestrian facilities, Seoul, where they tore down a highway and revived a stream, and Jakarta, where they have a car-free day once a week. The workshop was based on the University of Michigan Sustainable Mobility Accessibility Research and Transformation (SMART) Center’s approach which identifies the New Mobility Grids in communities and regions around the world. Using color-coded stickers, participants marked maps of the Ortigas area, indicated connection points between modes of transport, areas for improvement, opportunities for business, as well as for “moving minds” in order to get key people like leaders and big organizations involved.
of current transportation modes, as well as points for improvement. According to Clean Air InitiativeAsia Policy and Partnership Manager Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina, we should do away with the obsolete paradigm that building more roads will deal successfully with the
The long-term goal is for the workshop participants to share the idea of mapping in their own barangays, so that more and more people can get involved in working toward a pedestrian and environment-friendly city. Project Director Dr. Segundo Romero said if a whole barangay does this exercise, it will result in action. “They will not be able to
sleep because they will be thinking of so many things that they can do for their barangay, and they will know which people want to do the same thing,” he said. Romero said that the workshop is not just one event, and they plan to put the outcomes on a big virtual map. “As they say, if you don’t pedal your bicycle, you will flounder. We are pedaling,” he said. Tackling pedestrian safety and other problems Common themes were revealed during the workshop discussion. Eight out of ten people in Metro Manila take public transportation, but pedestrians are often the last priority on the roads. This was echoed during the workshop, with participants noting the lack of safe pedestrian crossing, sidewalks and bridges. It was also noted that there are many redundant transport hubs, with public utility vehicles stopping before and after intersections. Participants also pointed out that a lack of predictable public transport and direct routes results in longer periods in transit, which costs time and money. Several suggestions included a request to widen the sidewalk along ADB complex. “We have to improve sidewalks also, so people would like to walk. If that means more greenery, a covered area para hindi ka maulanan o kaya maarawan masyado, so be it,” said Tiklop Society’s Pio Fortuno Jr., representing one workshop group. Bike lanes were high on the list, as well as a bike sharing program to
encourage people to use private vehicles less, and a carless day. A particularly ambitious idea envisioned a green space linking Ortigas Center to the Pasig River, as well as toward Greenhills and including the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, which was envisioned as a public park. “The city is really starved for green spaces,” said ADB Senior Transport Specialist Lloyd Wright. The green way would have a cycle route, as well as outdoor galleries, street furniture, playgrounds and organic businesses. While participants were excited about their ideas, they had to remain realistic and consider the research that needs to be done, as well as possible barriers to their dream city. Current routes as well as land ownership would need to be plotted in a Geographic Information System. Experts must conduct a gap analysis to identify the overlaps in the current routes. Some of the barriers were the need for legislation, and of course, funding. The cities involved would also need to resolve conflict in their respective city plans, as Ortigas is in the middle of Mandaluyong, Quezon City and San Juan. More importantly, the question is whether pedestrians are willing to shift to green modes of transport. Participants agreed that there is a need to raise awareness on the health benefits of walking, and make it attractive for people. “It’s not just an activity. We’re hoping all of you will be catalysts for change in your respective cities,” said Project Manager Dr. Danielle Guillen.
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Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - Quarterly Newsletter
Low Emissions Urban Development Program
San Francisco and Medellín win 2012 Sustainable Transport Award! San Francisco, USA and Medellin, Colombia are winners of the 8th annual Sustainable Transport Award. This year’s slate of nominees is unique in that all four cities showcase a breadth of interventions that put citizens first. Each city is also a leader in embracing social media and online technologies to reach out to those citizens, giving a better more informative and convenient service. “These cities are setting the example of working on various fronts giving people opportunities through high quality transport options,” said Walter Hook, chief executive officer of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. “We are excited that this year is the first year a parking program, San Francisco’s SFpark, is being recognized. Parking is the next wave of powerful tools to control congestion, fight climate change, and redefine urban form.” San Francisco is using parking reform to great effect. The new ‘SFpark’ variable-rate, demandresponsive parking management system, provides real-time parking availability information online, via text and smartphone apps. The city’s ‘Pavement to Parks’ program reclaims parking spaces for public space and has created 20 new and
January - March 2012 “Medellin pioneered the use of cable cars as a transit alternative in low-income informal settlements in hilly areas, moving 3,000 passengers per hour per direction; a real breakthrough now being replicated in Caracas and Rio de Janeiro,” said EMBARQ Director Holger Dalkmann. “The city transformed violence and despair into hope and opportunity, using sustainable transport as one of the key levers to drive this change.” Buenos Aires, Argentina, is receiving an honorable mention for opening the country’s first BRT system (Metrobús) and its comprehensive investment in cycling. Over 70 kilometers of bike lanes have been built and they opened the first bike share in the country. Buenos Aires, recognizing that cycling infrastructure alone is not enough,
Medellin’s gondola system dynamic parklets with more on the way. The city started to upgrade and expand its bike network, setting an ambitious target of 20 percent of all trips made by bicycle by 2020. “San Francisco is really a model for how city governments can collaborate with different sectors to create immediate improvements to the environment, economic competiveness and overall well-being of a city,” said Heather Allen from the Transport Research Laboratory. Medellin, Colombia and its metropolitan is being recognized for its public space improvements, providing multiple options to its
citizens, such as its existing cable car and metro systems and the recently inaugurated BRT project, known as Metroplús, and integrating those services. The city created 1.6 million square meters of new park space through 25 parks and 11 urban promenades. The city also made progress with a new public bicycle program, “EnCicla,” that integrates universities and mass transit with popular city destinations; improved pedestrian crossings; and a ridesharing program, “Comparte tu carro;” as well as vehicle exhaust emissions controls and sulfur content improvements.
has pursued a creative campaign around bicycle promotion. Together this has resulted in a 120 percent increase in cycling in one year. Sergio Sánchez, from the Clean Air Institute, notes that these “initiatives that have had great impact in a short timespan will continue to generate healthy air and other multiple benefits for its people in years to come.”
BRT corridor. The city is expanding its bike lane network, with over 300 million rand (37.7 million USD) worth of projects being built. Manfred Breithaupt, from the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), said: “Cape Town has shown us how high quality urban transport can be implemented in the continent. It is one of the best practices in the region.”
Cape Town, South Africa, recently opened the first BRT system in Africa to integrate cycling. The ‘MyCiTi’ integrated rapid transit network opened in May 2011 seeking to connect townships, a legacy of apartheid, to the downtown through a high quality service that is a model for its universal access and pedestrian access. The longest continuous bike way in Africa runs parallel to the
Sophie Punte, Executive Director of Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia), adds that these cities’ multifarious approaches, including “greening the city and encouraging walking and public transport also help to improve air quality. Air pollution is a major health issue in cities in developing countries, killing 1.1 million people prematurely worldwide each year.”
The Nominees are chosen by a Committee that includes the most respected experts and organizations working internationally on sustainable transportation. Committee members include: • Institute for Transportation and Development Policy • EMBARQ, The World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport • GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) • Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) Center • Transportation Research Board Committee on Transportation in Developing Countries • Clean Air Institute for Latin America • United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) • Transport Research Laboratory The Sustainable Transport Award is presented each year in Washington during the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board, one of six major divisions of the U.S. National Research Council. Past winners of the Sustainable Transport Award include: Guangzhou, China (2011); Ahmedabad, India (2010); New York City, USA (2009); London, UK (2008); Paris, France (2008); Guayaquil, Ecuador (2007); Seoul, South Korea (2006), and Bogotá, Colombia (2005). For more information, visit www.st-award.org.
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Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - Quarterly Newsletter
Green Freight and Logistics Program
News from the CAI-Asia Country Networks
January - March 2012
Toolkit for Greening Asia’s Truck Fleets Launched To assist trucks companies reduce fuel use and emission from their truck fleets, a Green Trucks Toolkit was developed by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) for the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Core Environment Program Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Freight is the backbone of economic trade in Asia and by 2050 Asia will account for 29% of the global truck travel activity. By 2050, medium and heavy freight trucks worldwide will consume 1,240 billion liters of fuel and Asia’s share will be 34%. Higher fuel use translates to higher levels of particulate matter and carbon dioxide emissions which impacts human health and contributes to global warming. “The potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions is enormous, yet truck companies often lack information on technologies and strategies to make their operations greener and more efficient” said Sophie Punte, Executive Director of CAI-Asia, which leads efforts in greening road freight in Asia. Based on the UNEP-TNT Clean Fleet Management Toolkit, the Green Trucks Toolkit can be used to estimate carbon dioxide and air pollutant emissions
from fleets, and determine fleet efficiency indicators, such as emissions per ton-km and fuel consumed per ton-km. The tool also evaluates various improvement strategies and technologies ranging from eco-driving, idling reduction, low-rolling resistance tires and emission control devices. The toolkit was tested by 30 freight transport companies from Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam in a workshop organized by the Mekong Institute, ADB’s GMS Environment Operations Center and experts from CAI-Asia. A recent survey showed that freight companies operating along the East-West corridor of GMS spend 40-60% of operational expenses on fuel and that approximately 25-50% of trips are empty hauls. “Global manufacturers and logistics providers are reaching out to their subcontractors for data on fuel use and emissions,” Sophie Punte continued. “Trucking companies can thus use this tool to win contracts with these large corporations.” CAI-Asia and the Sustainable Supply Chain Centre Asia Pacific last December established the Green Freight Asia Network to facilitate collaboration among private sector companies to green the freight sector.
Need for a Greener Freight Sector in India CAI-Asia and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers organized the Green Freight India Seminar last 9 January at the India Habitat Centre, coinciding with the 11th Auto Expo. The seminar provided an overview of green freight initiatives and best practices in Asia and worldwide, and the participants discussed the priorities for the development of Green Freight India Program. A Green Freight Program in India would significantly reduce fuel use and emissions. Stakeholders must be made aware of available strategies in international best practices. “The truck sector in India is highly
fragmented with predominantly driver-owners and only 6% of companies have more than 20 trucks,” added Parthaa Bosu, CAI-Asia India Representative. SIAM and CAI Asia will collaborate with government and industry to jointly develop Green Freight initiatives in India. This also supports the “Bangkok 2020 Declaration: Sustainable Transport Goals 2010–2020”, that was agreed by 22 Asian countries, as well as the “Private Sector Declaration on Green Freight in Asia towards a Green Economy” in support of green freight initiatives and programs in Asia.
Quezon City and Partnership for Clean Air Team Up for TODA Eco-Driving Training An Eco-Driving Training for tricycle operators was conducted last January 20 by the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department of Quezon City and Partnership for Clean Air (a CAI-Asia Country Network in the Philippines) with support from the Department of Public Order and Safety-Tricycle Regulatory Unit and CAI-Asia. The training engaged members of the Quezon City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (QC-TODA) to practice eco-driving behavior and improved their skills for preventive maintenance that will result to reduced emissions.
This activity was conducted as part of the city’s 12-point air quality agenda to strengthen the air quality management capacity of Quezon City thru partnerships, capacity building, legislative measures and enforcement strategy.
The CAIAsia team conducted spirometer tests among the participating tricycle drivers and operators. The spirometer measures lung function capacity. Preliminary findings showed that majority of the tricycle drivers are nonsmokers and have been in their profession for relatively long time. The non-smokers were found to have more normal lung function as compared with the smokers.
AirMAC Organizes School Awareness Program in Sri Lanka The Air Resource Management Center (AirMAC) and the Ministry of Environment organized this year’s school awareness program held at Lindsay Girls School in Colombo. Mr. D.M. Sanjaya Bandara of AirMAC highlighted the need for clean air and gave a detailed overview of air quality status in Colombo and Kandy. Ms. Surani Pathirana linked the global
climate change issue with the local air pollution and how it can be mitigated by taking action at local level. Students were briefed on the air quality management initiatives in Sri Lanka and AirMAC ‘s role for reducing emissions for motor vehicles.
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Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - Quarterly Newsletter
News from the CAI-Asia Country Networks
Clean Air Network Nepal Presents Walkability Results for Pokhara
A symposium on “Air Quality Improvement and Urban Transports: best practice and cooperation prospects” was held last 21 March co-organized by the Vietnam Environment Administration (MoNRE), the French Institut National de l’Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), ARIA Technologies and Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities).
By Amita Thapa Magar
CAI-Asia and its country networks have conducted 23 walkability surveys in Asian cities to date. The latest walkability survey in Pokhara, Nepal was conducted last September 2011 by the Clean Air Network Nepal (CANN), in coordination with the Clean Energy Nepal and LIBIRD (a Pokhara-based organization). Last March 12, the results of the Pokhara walkability survey was presented to around 20 key stakeholders. Amita Thapa Magar from CANN shared that the walkability index for Pokhara (197) suggests that this city is more walkable compared to Kathmandu
News from the CAI-Asia Country Networks
(559) and Bhaktapur (309). Pokhara is the second largest city of Nepal and is a popular tourist destination. The study also showed that pedestrians in Pokhara prefer wide, leveled and clean footpaths; reduced traffic on roads; and removal of obstructions and vehicle parking from footpaths. Based on the study results, the forum participants strongly recommend efforts to promote, develop and brand Pokhara as a ‘walkable city’ that will entail widespread awareness program and active participation of the community.
On the same forum, Prashanta Khanal from CANN also presented about elements of sustainable urban transportation showcasing international best practices. He pointed how Pokhara could lead in promoting non-motorized transport system as a tourism strategy. Er. Indra Prasad Poudel from the Road Department of Western Road Division Office - Pokhara signified his commitment to push for pedestrian infrastructure improvements including provision of budgets for footpaths in the upcoming fiscal year plan.
CAI-Asia has conducted walkability surveys in the following Asian cities: Lanzhou, Hong Kong SAR (China), Kota, Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Rajkot, Surat, Bangalore (India), Jakarta (Indonesia), Male (Maldives), Karachi, Islamabad (Pakistan), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara (Nepal), Cebu , Davao, Manila (Philippines), Colombo (Sri Lanka).
Nguyen Hoang Duc, a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) said on Dai Doan Ket newspaper that the air pollution in urban areas caused by the transport vehicles accounts for 70-80 percent. Meanwhile, other emission sources include the industrial production, mining activities, construction, emissions from other sectors and human activities just account for a smaller proportion of the total emission that pollutes the air. Therefore, the traffic pollution has been found as the one of the biggest reasons behind the air in urban centers. Duc said that while Vietnam has the regulations on the punishment levels on the water pollution and solid waste, it still does not have a perfect legal framework to control the air quality. Meanwhile, the urbanization process has been speeding up in big cities in Vietnam, especially in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. MONRE has reported that in Hanoi, the air pollution has exceeded the allowed level with the dust concentration higher by 1-2 times than the allowed level. Especially, at construction sites, the air pollution is higher by 5-6 times.
January - March 2012
Stakeholders Discuss Air Quality and Transport Network in Hanoi
Published March 22, 2012 via www.vfej.vn
“Currently, the indexes of NO2, SO2 and Benzene in the air are still within the standards. However, the worrying problem is that the pollution emissions have been increasing,” Duc warned. Mare Cagnard from UBIFRANCE also said at a recent workshop in Hanoi on the air pollution control that the 4 million private transport vehicles are the main culprit that causes the traffic jam and the serious air pollution in the city. Experts believe that the transport pollution problem needs to be settled with comprehensive measures, from the urban development programming to the encouragement of public transport vehicles, and of the transport means which do not cause pollution. Bernard Favre, a senior executive of ARIA Technologies, also said that it is necessary to consider the development of public transport means as the most important measure to ease the traffic congestion and pollution, while applying the measures to ease the private transport vehicles and collect environment fee. Phan Quynh Nhu, Secretary General of the Clean Air Network
in Vietnam under the Clean Air Initiative Asia (CAI-Asia) said that it is necessary to expand the network of pollution measurement stations. However, Nhu said that in order to have accurate assessment about the air situation, scientists need reliable input materials. Meanwhile, it is not easy to access the database on the issue. In many cases, the agencies which have database about the air pollution do not want to share information. Thoi bao Kinh te Saigon has quoted some official statistics sources as saying that after 25 years of doi moi (renovation), Vietnam now has 760 urban areas with the urbanization rate at over 31 percent. Under the overall development of the national urban centers by 2015, Vietnam would have 870 urban areas of different classes, an increase of 100 areas. Regarding the plan to encourage public transport means to help ease the traffic jam, Yoshio Wada, a senior Japanese official on urban development, said that this is simply one of the suggested measures. In order to settle the problem to the every root, it is necessary to share the urban functions of Hanoi with other cities.
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Exchange Chronicles
T
HE EXCHANGE CHRONICLES features the works of exchange participants under the Clean Air and Blue Skies Asia Exchange Program. Managed by CAIAsia, this program aims to strengthen linkages among Asian institutions working on air quality. Since 2008, 22 young professionals have been posted in partner countries (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam) for ten months to gain practical skills in air quality management. The exchange program is supported by Fredskorpset Norway until 2013.
Breathe Easy Jakarta Training Held in Bogor
The training course, which provided background of air quality monitoring, gathered over 30 scientists and government officials from the Ministry of Environment, city environment officers, civil society group, private companies, and universities. Members of the Forum Udara Bersih Indonesia (a CAI-Asia Country Network in Indonesia) helped organize and participated in the training. Two experts from the US
A Closer Look
at Brick Kilns
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Training on Sustainable Transport and Climate Change by Iresha Rathnasena
by Zaim Fachmi Andrianto
By Bui Thi Nhung The Environment Agency of Jakarta Province (BPLHD) partnered with the US Environmental Protection Agency in organizing an Air Quality Monitoring Training held last 20-22 March in Bogor, Indonesia. This is part of a training series within the cooperation framework between the US EPA, the Ministry of Environment and the Government of Jakarta through the Breathe Easy Jakarta program. The program aims to better understand Jakarta’s air pollution problems and to develop cost-effective strategies for improvement.
January - March 2012
EPA served as the resource persons for the training which featured sessions for open discussions among experts and participants alike. The first day focused on overview and introduction to ambient air pollution monitoring, laws and regulations developed, sampling methodologies and meteorological measurement and analysis. Second day sessions covered designing and implementing an air monitoring program and the case study designed for Indonesia. The last day introduced air permitting programs in the US, communicating results and also included a discussion on the next steps for the participants.
All presentations of the course are available online at http://bplhd.jakarta.go.id/.
Last January, I did one month internship at MinErgy Pvt. Ltd., a Service Company based in Nepal and a network member of Clean Air Network Nepal. It is formed as an offspring of a clean building technology project. MinErgy inherits the competency, skills, know-how and expertise of the Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) Project Nepal, which is being implemented by Skat, Switzerland with financial support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) since 2003. For two consecutive years (2009-2010), MinErgy Pvt. Ltd. won the “Best Innovative Clean Energy Program” award in the Clean Energy Marketplace, a global competition organized jointly by United States Agency for International Development and Asian Development Bank. MinErgy in collaboration with Tribhunan University’s Central Department for Environmental Science is implementing a pilot project on Renewable Biomass Solid Fuel as Alternative to Coal for Firing Bricks. Particles generated from burning coal impacts public health and also a major source of air pollution and GHG emissions. I look forward to sharing learnings from my internships to brick industries in Indonesia as this is important strategy for air pollution reduction.
Last March 19-20, a training program on sustainable transport and climate change was jointly organized by CAI-Asia, Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), Ateneo School of Government and GIZ. More than 40 representatives from Philippine cities and government agencies participated in the event. Resource persons for the training included Heather Allen, Programme Director, TRL; Danielle Guillen, Project Manager for Catalyzing New Mobility in Cities implemented by the Ateneo School of Government; Ko Sakamoto, Transport Economist of ADB and Alvin Mejia, Environment Specialist, CAI-Asia. Through this training, I was able to learn many new things related to environmentally sustainable transport and I had opportunity to share Sri Lankan situation on air quality management.
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Exchange Chronicles
CAI-Asia Partnership Updates
January - March 2012
CAI-Asia
Partnership
Update 1st Quarter
2012
233 TOTAL Members
By Krity Shrestha The 5th Japan-SAARC Energy Symposium, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in Colombo on March 1-2 to discuss cooperation among SAARC member countries, and also between Japan and SAARC member countries, in the field of energy. More than 20 presenters from Japan and the participating SAARC countries participated in discussions among experts. This event was organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in partnership with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA).
c) soft measures such as telecommuting, teleconferencing, internet shopping, public transport marketing, and better information to influence behavior, and d) strategies for achieving sustainable mobility that includes a wide range of measures such as traffic management, improved access by nonmotorized modes, urban planning, and promotion of low-emission vehicles.
This symposium recommended a roadmap for the knowledge sharing and capacity building of the SAARC countries in terms of sustainable energy initiatives which also includes recommendations to prioritize energy efficient public transport such as sharing of best practices, extensive media campaign in the region to promote EST and NMT and other future collaboration researches and projects, in the field of “Sustainable Cities and Transport”.
Providence (USA) team of engineers and scientists with expertise and experience in the various disciplines of engineering and environmental sciences (www.ProvidenceEng.com)
Ucarsystem Co.,Ltd (South Korea) closely working with KOTSA (Korea Transportation Authority) for various application projects related to EcoDrive solution in the field of logistics and public transportation (www.ucarsystem.com)
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The challenges and opportunities of “Sustainable Cities and Transport” were discussed as a sub-theme during the symposium which covered: a) public transport, b) land-use planning to facilitate public transport and reduce the need to travel,
Members
Upcoming ACTIVITIES
5th Japan-SAARC Energy Symposium
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Sustainable Cities and Transport Discussed at the
NEW
Air That We Breathe: Fifth National Symposium on Air Resource Management in Sri Lanka 11 May 2012 | Colombo
Organized by Air Resource Management Centre of the Ministry of Environment and Clean Air Sri Lanka (a CAI-Asia Country Network in Sri Lanka), this forum discusses the most recent technological, scientific and policy developments associated with air pollution problems attended by eminent researchers, scientists icy makers and other professionals.
CAI-Asia Partnership Meeting 4 December 2012 | Hong Kong
Members of the CAI-Asia Partnership meet once every two years, coinciding with the BAQ Conferences, for an update on achievements over the past years and to discuss the future scope and priorities of CAI-Asia. For details on how you can participate, email baq2012@cai-asia.org.
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Training of Trainers and Training of Truck Companies Thailand l January 12-18
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Core Environment Program (CEP) Phase 1 has begun assessing the feasibility of climate change interventions that could lead to substantial investments in the subsequent phases of the program. In order to look at the impacts of GMS transport corridors being developed across the region, the program is now embarking on a feasibility study to investigate the suitability of establishing a ‘Carbon Neutral Transport Corridor (CNTC)’ along the GMS East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC).
Meetings and Events
Transport Sector and NAMAs (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions): Assessing Data Readiness for Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transport Philippines l February 9
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities co-organized a workshop to assess the data readiness of select nonAnnex 1 countries in Asia and also provide inputs to the future design of the NAMAs-MRV framework. The workshop was attended by participants from China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand representing cities, environmental agencies, transport agencies/institutes, nongovernment organizations, and development banks.
Palawan State University Study Visit
January - March 2012
Fuel Economy Meeting
China International Urbanization Forum
Philippines l March 3
Shanghai, PRC l March 25
A series of stakeholder meetings to discuss fuel economy standards setting in the Philippines were organized by CAI-Asia in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Climate Change.
Philippines l February 27
The CAI-Asia Air Quality team presented to Environmental Science students from Palawan State University on air quality monitoring in the Philippines.
Our Right of Way: Walk & Cycle
Sophie Punte was keynote speaker during the China International Urbanization Forum co-organized by the China Center for Urban Development of the National Development and Reform Commission, China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchange of the Ministry of Commerce, UNDP, Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, and Baoshan District of the Government of Shanghai Municipality. The Forum served as a platform for gathering government officials of various levels, entrepreneurs, local and international experts to have in-depth discussions on relevant urbanization issues.
Train for Clean Air: Emission Inventory for Smaller Cities Philippines l March 27-30
This technical workshop, organized by CAI-Asia with support from GIZ, aims to equip city representatives to identify emission sources and to design a work plan for the establishment of emission inventories. It is coorganized with the League of Cities of the Philippines, Partnership for Clean Air and Association of Metro Manila Environment Officers (AMMEO) .
India l March 22
Transforming Transportation 2012 Washington D.C. l January 26-27
This year’s Transforming Transportation conference in Washington DC, organized by EMBARQ and World Bank, and to which CAI-Asia is a partner, focused on big ideas to scale up sustainable transport best practices in cities worldwide. Jaime Lerner gave an impressive speech how he as mayor of Curitiba in Brazil was able to transform the transport system in his city to a world class example. Sophie Punte took part in the panel debate (which was inspired by the BAQ transport debate!) on which measures should be given priority when scaling up sustainable transport: improve or shift and avoid? CAI-Asia’s own research finds that you need all three! Sophie also presented the results of the AP/ GHG Indicators Project during a Brown Bag session organized by the World Bank.
Asia-Pacific in the Era of Climate Change - Building Urban Resilience and Green Cities: Expert Group Roundtable Singapore l February 15-17
The Expert Group Roundtable gathered urban development practitioners from multilateral and bilateral development partners, government agencies, NGOs, policy and research think tanks and city‐level representatives to gain a common understanding of the challenges and opportunities climate change holds for cities in Asia‐Pacific. Sophie Punte presented results of the CDIA-supported study on ‘City Baseline Survey of Climate Change Plans and Urban Infrastructure Priorities in Asia.’
Training on Sustainable Transport and Climate Change Philippines l March 19-20
More than 40 representatives from different municipalities participated in the event. Main resources speakers for the event were Heather Allen, Danielle Guillen, Ko Sakamoto and Alvin Mejia. The event focused on the different aspects of low carbon transport, sustainable transport and climate process as well as process of measurement of the impact of low carbon transport intervention emissions.
This discussion forum, organized by CSE, included NMT experiences from Sri Lanka, Chile, Netherlands, Nepal, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi and Punjab. The workshop discussed how safe our cities can be built around walking and cycling to combat pollution, and congestion. Sameera Anthapur from the CAI-Asia India Office presented results of the walkability survey covering 21 Asian cities. Prashanta Khanal (Clean Air Network Nepal) and Thusitha Sugathapala (Clean Air Sri Lanka) were on the panel on ‘Global initiatives on inclusive transport: walking and cycling’.
Diesel Emissions Conference & AdBlue Forum Asia 2012 Beijing, PRC l March 27-29
The Diesel Emissions Conference brings together diesel stakeholders from over 30 different countries to discuss world’s most advanced diesel emissions legislation and technologies. Sophie Punte of CAIAsia presented an update on green freight initiatives worldwide and in China.
2012 AECEN Regional Forum Thailand l March 28-30
The AECEN is a regional network of national and sub-national agencies from Asian countries committed to improving environmental compliance and enforcement in Asia. During the Regional Forum, Kaye Patdu of CAI-Asia presented on the topic of compliance and enforcement of Air Quality Standards in Asia to approximately 60 senior officials and representatives from AECEN member agencies.
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Publications and Interns
Development Asia (January-March 2012) The Big Picture: Atmospheric Efforts
Year in Review 2011 CAI-Asia conducted an annual review of main events relevant to air quality, climate change and transport in Asia. It is an opportunity to look back and understand where Asia focused in the past year and foresee emerging trends in Asia in the coming years. The main highlights for 2011 are: Increasing public demand for improved air quality monitoring and reporting; Transition from science to policy action regarding black carbon and short-lived climate forcers (SLCF); Increased awareness on green freight and logistics; Successes on clean fuels and vehicles, particularly in Vietnam and Sri Lanka; Improved understanding of walkability issues in Asia; Asian cities trying out a mix of transport demand management measures to address congestion, and pollution.
Sustainable Transport is Maturing in Asia: Report on the 6th Environmentally Sustainable Forum by Sophie Punte
This article appears in the February 2012 issue of EM Magazine, a publication of the Air & Waste Management Association (www.awma.org). A&WMA has invited CAI-Asia to contribute one column each quarter to highlight air quality and climate change issues in Asia. To obtain copies and reprints, please contact A&WMA directly at 1-412-232-3444.
INTERNS
Albert Sitipong Kochaphum started his one-month internship in
CAI-Asia China Office from 20 February. His main task in CAI-Asia is to assist with the implementation of the Rapid Assessment of City Emissions (RACE) for Transportation and Energy to promote low-carbon development in Asian cities. He graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies from San Francisco State University. He worked as an Associate GIS Analyst in Alchemy Urban Systems Pvt. Ltd. prior to the internship.
Kathleen Dematera
completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Santo Tomas and is presently pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Management in Ateneo de Manila University. In her four-week internship at CAI-Asia, she primarily focused on exploring the different socio-economic variables that affect the transport sector in ASEAN for the project on Low Carbon Transport Study in Southeast Asia.
Che Billedo assisted the Finance and Administrative Services of CAI-Asia from
November 2011 to March 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the Philippine School of Business Administration and has decided to apply her knowledge as intern in CAI-Asia while preparing for the Board Exam for Certified Public Accountants.
CAI-Asia News is a quarterly publications of Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Editor: Ritchie Anne Roño Design and Layout: Earl Paulo Diaz and Hazel Anne Tan
PUBLICATIONS
Already among the top threats to health, outdoor air pollution is a concern in cities across developing Asia. Though the situation is improving in many areas, challenges remain as populations shift to urban centers and growing economies produce more vehicles and industry. Sophie Punte gets interviewed for the article Dry Cough on page 28.