Publications·February 27, 2019
The newsletter discusses the Capacity Development Project for Air Pollution Control in Ulaanbaatar City (Phase 3), a joint initiative between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Mongolia. The project aims to address severe air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, primarily caused by low-quality coal combustion for heating, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution. Previous phases of the project, conducted between 2010 and 2017, focused on air quality monitoring and emission control. Phase 3 builds on these efforts by strengthening pollution control measures, improving monitoring capabilities for key pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and enhancing decision-making processes and legal frameworks. A key distinction of this phase is the implementation of pilot projects, including the use of improved coal fuel in Ger areas and measures to reduce vehicle emissions. The project is managed by Mongolia’s Air Pollution Reducing Department (APRD) with technical support from JICA experts. It also coordinates efforts with various agencies, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to ensure a more comprehensive approach to air quality management in Ulaanbaatar.