Publications·December 25, 2018
The UNEP report “Actions Taken by Governments to Improve Air Quality: Southeast Asia” (2016) provides a detailed overview of air pollution management efforts and policy responses across eleven countries in the ASEAN subregion. Developed under the UNEA Resolution 1/7 framework, it identifies ten key areas of governmental action, including industrial emission controls, fuel and vehicle standards, public transport investment, open burning reduction, indoor air quality improvements, and national air quality legislation. The study highlights that while progress varies significantly among member states, there has been substantial movement toward improving air quality management capacity across Southeast Asia. Indoor air pollution remains the most significant health threat in rural areas, with over 75% of related premature deaths linked to solid fuel use for cooking and heating. Several countries—such as Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar—continue to rely heavily on biomass, whereas Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore have transitioned to near-universal access to cleaner fuels. Outdoor air pollution has also increased, with vehicle and industrial emissions identified as dominant urban sources. Only Singapore and Thailand have adopted Euro 4-equivalent emission standards and 50 ppm sulfur fuel limits as of 2016, while several others plan to reach similar levels within the decade. The report notes that the absence of regulation on second-hand vehicle imports in many countries exacerbates air quality deterioration through the inflow of outdated, high-emission vehicles. To counter this, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Malaysia have developed fuel and vehicle roadmaps aiming for full Euro 4 or Euro 5 compliance by 2020–2025. On public transport, multiple cities—including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila—are investing in bus rapid transit and mass rail systems to shift commuters from private to public modes. Singapore’s integrated network is cited as a regional benchmark, offering advanced rail, bus, and cycling infrastructure, and supported by long-term urban mobility planning. The report also documents national and local laws addressing open waste burning, though enforcement remains a major challenge. Singapore’s integrated solid waste management system is presented as a model for the region, while Indonesia’s 1999 Forestry Law banning land clearing by fire requires stronger implementation to prevent transboundary haze. The study also explores industrial emission reduction strategies, noting that five countries—Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines—use fiscal and tax incentives to promote cleaner technologies, renewable energy, and pollution control systems. In contrast, some countries, including Indonesia and Lao PDR, are expanding coal-based power generation. Across the subregion, governments are increasingly using continuous monitoring systems and data transparency platforms. The report concludes that while Southeast Asia has made measurable progress, effective enforcement, intersectoral coordination, and harmonized regional frameworks remain critical. It emphasizes that air quality management should be integrated into broader environmental and development policies, and that sustainable progress depends on capacity building, technology adoption, and strong multilateral collaboration under ASEAN’s regional mechanisms.