Air quality management in cities have been traditionally evaluated using the good versus bad list analysis—“100 Dirtiest Cities” or “Top 10 Cities with Best Air Quality”, usually only considering air quality levels for a city. This provides a subjective and incomplete picture as it does not consider the institutional capacity as well as the programs and actions being implemented in the city. Another limitation is it often does not provide guidance where cities can improve.
Aside from addressing traditional air pollutants (particulate matter, Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Carbon monoxide, ozone, and Lead), cities are also pressed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Carbon dioxide, methane, Nitrous oxide, among others).
There are co-benefits of integrating air quality management and climate change mitigation because air pollutants and GHGs are generally emitted together from same sources such as fuel combustion in transport sector and in power (energy) sector. Therefore policy or technological solutions overlap, for example, energy and fuel efficiency.
While tools exist to measure general environmental performance, there is no methodology for an objective and comprehensive assessment of a city’s management of air pollutants and GHG emissions and identification of improvement areas.
Recognizing this need, CAI-Asia has developed an objective and comprehensive analysis tool for understanding the air quality management status in cities incorporating (1) air quality levels, (2) clean air management capacity and (3) clean air policies and actions and is capable of identifying potential improvement areas for the city — the Clean Air Scorecard.
I. Air Pollution and Health Index
-assesses air pollution levels of cities against WHO guideline values and interim targets
II. Clean Air Management Capacity Index
-assesses a city’s capacity to (1) determine sources and their contribution, (2) assess air quality status, (3) estimate impacts, and (4) reduce air pollution and GHG emissions through an institutional and policy framework and financing
III. Clean Air Policies and Actions Index
-assesses existence and enforcement of national and local policies and actions to address air pollutants and GHG emissions from mobile, stationary, area and transboundary sources.
Use of the Clean Air Scorecard
Cities can use the Clean Air Scorecard Results to
1. Have a comprehensive understanding of the status of their air quality management
2. Identify gaps in their air quality and GHG management strategies and activities
3. Benchmark air quality and GHG management developments over time
4. Identify concrete policies and measures to reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases
5. Develop an integrated plan for air quality and GHG emissions management.
For more information, read the Clean Air Scorecard Fact Sheet.
Clean Air Scorecard Application
In 2010, CAI-Asia applied the Clean Air Scorecard Tool in the following Asian cities:
1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Colombo, Sri Lanka
3. Hangzhou, P.R. China
4. Hanoi, Vietnam
5. Jakarta, Indonesia
6. Jinan, P.R. China
7. Kathmandu, Nepal
8. Manila, Philippines
Results of the clean air scorecard application for pilot cities were presented at the Better Air Quality 2010 conference in Singapore.
Download the presentations here.
We would love to hear your thoughts!
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the Clean Air Scorecard tool and its application or if YOU WANT TO APPLY THE CLEAN AIR SCORECARD IN YOUR CITY, please contact us at: scorecard@cai-asia.org.
You can also JOIN THE DISCUSSION on the Clean Air Scorecard in our Air Quality and Co-benefits Community.
Updated: 24 January 2010.