Reducing Emissions, Improving Air Quality Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

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CONCRETE POlICY ACTIONs TO AddREss ThE POllUTION PROBlEM ANd CUT EMIssIONs

Inhabitants 1.54 million

GdP per capita $5,653

Geographic area 4,704 km²

ThE ChAllENGE

Ulaanbaatar is one of the most polluted cities in the world and has experienced rapid urban development in recent years.

CO-BENEFITs

health

By switching to cleaner energy sources, air quality will be improved, reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

social

Coordinated urban and energy planning will allow for the sustainable development of ger areas.

Economic

Income loss from restricted economic activities due to poor air quality will be reduced.

reducing emissions, improving air Quality

A policy-based loan program was implemented to simultaneously tackle Ulaanbaatar’s air pollution and reduce emissions through consistent policy objectives, regulatory frameworks, new technologies, and economic incentives.

In 2018, levels of harmful fine particulate matter in Mongolia’s capital were 40 times the daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization. Rapid urbanization has resulted in the growth of vast peri-urban ger areas in the city that lack adequate public services and rely on the combustion of coal for heating and cooking, contributing to severe air pollution and GHG emissions.

Ulaanbaatar chose to adopt an air quality improvement plan that encompasses three multisector reform areas: a stronger regulatory framework, including preferential taxation for cleaner fuels; a program for financing air quality improvement; and stricter energy efficiency standards. These were accompanied by a public awareness campaign linking fuels, air pollution, and health.

Tangible measures related to pollution reduction and health protection also included the banning of raw coal and temporary replacement with cleanerburning semi-coke briquettes, longer-term options for decentralized and renewable heating, and improved air filtration in schools and hospitals to reduce indoor air pollution.

The policy-based loan was sourced from ADB’s ordinary capital resources.

Ulaanbaatar air Quality improvement program. In addition to improving local health conditions, the program expects to achieve CO2 emissions reduction of 133,800 tons annually (photo by ADB).

Building Energy Efficiency

Retrofitting aging buildings, incentivizing efficiency upgrades, and building to the highest environmental standards are all ways that cities in Asia and the Pacific are changing the built environment to drive down emissions. Through these cost-efficient measures, cities can also cut energy bills and reduce local air pollution levels.

ho Chi minh City’s commercial and high-rise residential buildings. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Viet Nam, with 8.9 million residents spread over 2,000 km2 (photo by ADB).