Air Pollution is an alarming issue in many cities and countries – a transboundary and cross-sectoral challenge which requires collective efforts and co-creation of solutions. In recent years, in the face of population growth, economic expansion and attendant growth in demands for energy, agricultural production, tourism, transportation and general consumption, air pollution has become a leading threat to the health of the population and the environment alike.
The Air Quality sensor at the UN-House showed that in 2021 there were 165 days considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, 100 days were unhealthy for everyone and 10 days were in the very unhealthy range.
This is based on measuring the fine particulate matter, tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.
This explains the beautiful coloring of the sunsets at this time of year. “I was very surprised at the high levels of air pollution in Vientiane, which on some days is higher than in much bigger cities such as Bangkok or Beijing,” said Ms. Ricarda Rieger, Resident Representative of UNDP. “I am curious to know how air pollution in Vientiane affects men, women and children differently,” she added.
Recognizing the complexity of this issue, the Sustainable Development Goal Integration (SDGi) team of UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub and UNDP in the Lao PDR have commissioned a pilot study for Thailand and the Lao PDR focused on integrated policy analysis and modelling of air pollution.
Representatives from the government, private sector, other development partners, the UN, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), academia and communities came together to identify the main types, sources and drivers of air pollution especially in Vientiane; the direct and indirect impacts of air pollution on health and wellbeing, the economy and the environment and existing and potential interventions and policies to reduce air pollution and/or address impacts.
For example, the population increase leads to overconsumption, waste burning and congested traffic. The direct impact was drawn to health and the indirect impacts are the declining investment and businesses in the polluted city which will eventually result in higher government expenditure on health, poverty eradication and social issues. The next steps of the pilot include more consultations with multi-level and cross sectoral stakeholders and data collection to create the demo model for policy analysis and policy simulation.
Mr. Phouvong Vongkhamsao, Deputy Mayor of Vientiane appreciated the timely and important initiative and innovative mechanism to help understand and identify actionable interventions for air pollution in Vientiane. “Environmental protection and management are very important for the socio-economic development and the living quality of the population,” said the Deputy Mayor.
At the workshop, Mr. Phouvong Luangxaysana, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment also shared that “the Lao PDR is prioritizing climate change and integrating many outputs in the 5-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan or the 9th NSEDP as well as National Green Growth Strategy and the new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) plan to collectively achieve Net Zero Emission by 2050 with other nations. The goals are to reduce 60% of greenhouse emission by increasing the forest area at 70%, boosting the installation of renewable and clean energy and increasing the use of electric vehicles at 30% by the year 2030.”
Source: Lao News Agency