Publications·December 31, 2023
This compendium presents a comprehensive guide to technological solutions for controlling air pollution, tailored to the needs of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. It aims to support governments, industries, researchers, and policy designers by showcasing available, effective, and scalable technologies for reducing emissions from key sectors—including transport, industry, power generation, waste, and agriculture.
The document serves both as a reference catalogue and a strategic framework to promote technology transfer, capacity building, and regional cooperation on air quality management.
1. Scope and Purpose
The compendium is structured to:
Identify proven technologies for controlling major air pollutants such as PM2.5, SOx, NOx, CO, VOCs, and ozone precursors
Highlight sector-specific technologies
Offer case studies of successful implementations
Provide insight into enabling conditions such as financing, regulations, and institutional support
It targets the policy-to-implementation gap by linking available technologies with action plans in cities and countries facing worsening air quality.
2. Technology Categories and Applications
a. Transport Sector
Technologies here aim to reduce mobile source emissions, including:
Vehicle emission control technologies (e.g., catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters)
Fuel switching technologies (e.g., CNG, LPG, electric vehicles)
Traffic management tools (e.g., intelligent transport systems)
Inspection and maintenance programs
b. Industrial Sector
Technologies to reduce stack emissions from manufacturing, textiles, chemicals, cement, and metallurgy include:
Electrostatic precipitators (ESP)
Baghouse filters
Wet and dry scrubbers
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)
Low NOx burners
c. Power Sector
Air pollution control technologies for thermal power generation:
Flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
Low NOx combustion
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) options (exploratory)
Transition to renewable energy systems
d. Waste Sector
Includes:
Fugitive emissions control
Waste-to-energy (WTE) solutions
Open burning elimination
Landfill gas capture and flaring
e. Agriculture Sector
Addresses emissions from crop residue burning, livestock, and agro-industrial activities:
Bio-digesters
Alternative uses of biomass
No-burn crop management technologies
3. Air Quality Monitoring Technologies
The compendium also provides detailed coverage of:
Fixed and mobile monitoring stations
Low-cost sensor technologies
Remote sensing and satellite tools
Data platforms for real-time AQI dissemination
Technological interoperability and data-sharing protocols are emphasized as essential components for regional collaboration.
4. Technology Evaluation Criteria
Technologies are evaluated using criteria such as:
Effectiveness
Scalability
Cost-efficiency
Ease of operation
Suitability for urban vs. rural applications
The report outlines how to assess technologies based on local context, including regulatory capacity, maintenance skills, and economic feasibility.
5. Case Studies
Throughout the compendium, real-world examples of successful technology adoption are provided from countries like:
India (e.g., brick kiln conversion to zigzag technology)
Thailand (e.g., EV public transport pilot in Bangkok)
Nepal (e.g., open burning control campaigns)
China (e.g., integration of low-cost monitoring networks with regulatory systems)
These case studies demonstrate multi-stakeholder cooperation, public-private partnerships, and integration with national clean air programs.
6. Technology Transfer and Enabling Environment
The final chapters focus on:
Promoting regional technology transfer mechanisms
Creating financial incentives and public procurement support
Enhancing local manufacturing and supply chains
Supporting capacity building for maintenance and operations
It also recommends the creation of a regional air technology platform to match needs and solutions across countries.
Key Words / Topics
Air pollution control
Emission reduction
Pollution abatement
Clean technologies
Transport and industrial emissions
Monitoring systems
Policy and implementation
Regional technology transfer
Capacity building
Waste-to-energy
Low-cost sensors
Renewable energy