Interview with Glenda Batrina of the Asian Clean Air Center: Regional cooperation is the key to achieving clean air in Asia
What other challenges do Asian countries currently face in terms of air management? Why is regional cooperation the key to achieving clean air in Asia? How to promote regional cooperation and protect the common blue sky? On September 14-15, the 2024 Beijing International Metropolitan Clean Air and Climate Action Forum was held during the Service Trade Fair. Glinda Batan, Executive Vice President of Clean Air Asia (CAA), Ms. Glynda Bathan-Baterina delivered a keynote speech at the main forum and accepted an exclusive interview with our reporter during the meeting on the above issues.
Ms. Grinda Battan Batrina, Executive Vice President, Asian Clean Air Center
China Environment News: What challenges are Asian countries currently facing in air management?
Grinda Batan Batrina:The Asian Clean Air Center has long tracked and studied Asia's air quality status and regularly releases relevant reports.
We noticed that PM in Asia2.5Although the overall concentration level has improved, many Asian cities are still generally exposed to higher concentrations of PM.2.5Pollution brings health risks that cannot be ignored to the population. As of 2022, of the 849 Asian cities focused on in the study, only 2 cities have PM2.5The average annual concentration can reach the World Health Organization guidance value (5 micrograms/cubic meter); the average annual NO of more than 90% of Asian cities2The concentration did not reach the World Health Organization guidance value (10 micrograms/cubic meter). We also found that traffic emissions are the main source of air pollution (PM) in most Asian countries and regions.2.5), desert dust plays an important role in air quality in central and western Asia.
In addition, in many countries and their cities, pollution monitoring networks need to be further improved, with insufficient number of monitoring stations and insufficient monitoring indicators. There is an urgent need to establish a more comprehensive emission inventory in the Asian region. In addition to national-level air pollution source analysis, more inventory, model analysis and source analysis studies for different cities are needed, as well as more comprehensive environmental impact indicators and sustainable development assessments are needed.
China Environment News: In your opinion, why is regional cooperation the key to achieving clean air in Asia?
Grinda Batan Batrina:Asia is an important engine of world economic growth. Many Asian developing countries are in the process of rapid urbanization, industrialization and motorization, but at the same time they are also facing huge challenges of air pollution control and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Referring to the latest revision and release of the World Health Organization's Global Air Quality Guidance Values (2021), the Asian region still needs continuous efforts to improve air quality, especially in cities that are far from the guidance value targets.
In this process, more countries and cities should learn from countries and cities that have achieved effective air pollution control and refer to their policies, plans and practices, while leading countries and cities should share their efforts in reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change with other Asian countries. Experience and understanding in this regard are very important. We need to carry out in-depth regional exchanges and cooperation, which is the key to supporting the Asian region to achieve clean air.
Beijing City has adopted a series of clean air policies and measures over the past years. Its effectiveness in scientific control of air pollution can be said to be obvious to all. It has also won the Clean Air Summer Harbor Award twice for its outstanding achievements in Asian cities. For example, Beijing has established a comprehensive and extensive air quality monitoring network, while systematic advanced monitoring networks are lacking in many parts of Asia. After many Asian cities know the problem, they urgently need more solutions and look forward to learning from Beijing's successful experience. Through regional exchanges, more Asian countries can learn from the experience of "Beijing Blue" and China's experience in air pollution control. This is a work we are vigorously promoting. CAA launched the Asian Clean Air Regional Exchange Network program this year to promote exchanges, dialogue and cooperation among Asian countries and cities. We look forward to and believe that Chinese cities can play an active role in it.
China Environment News: What can environmental public welfare organizations do to promote regional cooperation and achieve clean air in Asia?
Grinda Batan Batrina:The vision of the Asian Clean Air Center is to "improve air quality in the Asian region, mitigate climate change, and create healthy and livable cities." With this goal, we have long carried out policy research and capacity building on air quality management and climate change response in Asian countries., experience exchange, technology promotion and other work.
Since its establishment in 2001, we have established offices in Beijing, China, and Delhi, India. We are currently building an Indonesian national office in Jakarta and have established cooperation networks in many Asian countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and Nepal. In order to further promote regional exchanges and cooperation, we hold the "Better Air Quality Conference"(BAQ Conference for short) every two years to help countries and cities facing the challenges of air pollution and climate change identify emission reduction and development paths that suit their respective national conditions, and take scientific and effective actions. Over the past 20 years, the BAQ Conference has continued to attract the participation of many relevant parties such as government departments, research institutions, industry enterprises, NGOs, and media. The topics of the conference cover many key industries and fields related to air quality management and climate change response., bringing many valuable experiences to the realization of clean air in Asia.
China Environment News: Facing the future, promoting regional cooperation in Asia and protecting the common blue sky, what suggestions do you have?
Grinda Batan Batrina:Regional cooperation is the key to achieving clean air in Asia. Countries and cities with advanced experience in air management can share their knowledge and experience in air quality management. In order to promote exchanges and cooperation in the Asian region in the field of clean air and climate change, I suggest focusing on the following aspects:
First of all, we must strengthen the exchange of management experience and scientific and technological achievements between countries and cities. Through special seminars, training, visits and exchanges and other activities, representatives of air quality management departments of relevant Asian countries and cities and research technicians supporting policy formulation will have a deeper understanding of the scientific issues and governance experience of air pollution, as well as air pollution and climate. Collaborative response and comprehensive solutions to change.
Second, we must strengthen the construction of collaborative networks. Promote cooperation among different stakeholders such as government agencies, research institutions, international institutions, industry and industry representatives through various means such as capacity building, cooperation projects, and science and technology expos, so as to make efforts to address the challenges of air pollution and climate change. Collaborative efforts.
In addition, practical actions must be taken to transform knowledge into policy. Based on exchanges and collaboration, relevant national and city departments can better formulate and implement science-based and cost-effective governance policies and measures, promote the transformation of knowledge into policies in the collaborative field of pollution reduction and carbon reduction, and ultimately reduce local, regional and national Air pollution and carbon emissions at the national level.
Among them, China's experience is particularly worthy of attention. Based on China's progress and achievements in the field of clean air and climate change, the Asian Clean Air Center also hopes to pass on the advanced management experience and practical applications of Chinese regions and cities to other Asian countries through more and better ways to help many countries. Countries are accelerating the pace of air pollution control and climate change response.
