The North Asia Air Quality Regional Report

The UNEP report “The North Asia Air Quality Regional Report” (2016) provides a comprehensive review of legislative, technological, and policy measures undertaken by five countries in East and North-East Asia—China, Japan, Mongolia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Korea—to address air pollution. Developed in response to UNEA Resolution 1/7 on Strengthening the Role of UNEP in Promoting Air Quality, the report identifies ten key categories of action across industry, transport, waste management, indoor air pollution, and governance. These include promoting renewable energy and pollution control investments, increasing industrial energy efficiency, reducing sulfur in fuels, tightening vehicle emission standards, expanding public and non-motorized transport, controlling open burning of waste, improving access to cleaner fuels and stoves, and strengthening air quality legislation and enforcement. The subregion faces major challenges—air pollution contributes to an estimated 2.6 million premature deaths annually. However, UNEP notes significant progress, particularly in Japan and the Republic of Korea, where stringent regulation, high fuel quality, and advanced public transport systems have produced some of the cleanest urban air in the world. China’s comprehensive Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (2013) led to measurable reductions in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations across hundreds of cities, with Beijing achieving a 20% drop in particulate matter levels. Despite these advances, major industrial and urban regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta still experience pollution levels several times higher than the national average. Mongolia remains severely affected by indoor and outdoor pollution, particularly in Ulaanbaatar, where particulate concentrations exceed WHO interim standards by up to six times due to coal combustion for heating. The report identifies transport as a leading source of urban pollution and highlights efforts to improve public transport and electric mobility—Japan’s extensive rail system, China’s investment in over 1,500 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, and emerging electric vehicle programs. Only China, Japan, and South Korea have adopted Euro IV-equivalent emission standards and 50 ppm or lower sulfur fuel quality. The report also highlights progress in regulating open waste burning, where Japan and South Korea have enforced complete bans supported by waste management systems. For indoor air pollution, UNEP notes that only Japan and the Republic of Korea have achieved near-universal access to non-solid fuels, while Mongolia and China are implementing clean cookstove programs and expanding access to electricity to reduce biomass dependence. Industrial incentives play a critical role across the region—China’s tax rebates for clean energy, South Korea’s green innovation incentives, and Japan’s efficiency leadership demonstrate diverse approaches to emission reduction. The report further documents China’s pilot emissions trading programs and aggressive renewable energy investment, positioning it as a global leader in wind and solar deployment. Nonetheless, UNEP warns of risks from technology transfer of obsolete polluting infrastructure, exemplified by exports of outdated heavy oil plants. The study concludes that while regulatory and technological progress is significant, continued regional cooperation and strict enforcement remain essential to sustain improvements in air quality. It recommends enhancing data transparency, strengthening institutions, and scaling up clean technologies, aligning with the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership’s broader regional initiatives.