Find solutions to control and improve air quality

Delegates will discuss and share solutions on emission inventories, monitoring models, warnings, forecasts, low emission zones (LEZs), open burning, comparison with health impacts and international lessons...

This is the information at the National Scientific Workshop on Controlling and Improving Air Quality in Vietnam organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD). During the 2 days of April 24-25, delegates will discuss and share solutions on emission inventories, monitoring models, warnings, forecasts, low emission zones (LEZ), open burning, comparing with health impacts and international lessons...

Testing a 48-hour air quality forecasting model

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized that air pollution is one of the serious environmental challenges in Vietnam, especially in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the Deputy Minister, improving air quality is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment but a common task of all ministries, sectors, localities, organizations and communities.

"In addition to the goal of double-digit economic growth in the coming period, we will also have to focus on environmental protection. Right now, we need to join hands to preserve the blue sky, protect people's health and build a sustainable living environment," Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized.

Monitoring data and AQI in these cities are often at an average level and tend to be poor, with increased pollution in recent periods. The concentration of PM2.5 fine dust in these two cities often exceeds the national technical standards for ambient air quality and much exceeds the WHO recommendations.

Air pollution not only lasts seasonally, but also spreads spatially, directly affecting people's health, socio-economic development and daily life.

Air pollution comes from many different sources, including emissions from vehicles using fossil fuels; uncontrolled construction and urban infrastructure renovation activities; emissions from industrial production facilities; outdoor burning of straw, waste and biomass, etc.

In Hanoi, air pollution often increases sharply from September to April of the following year due to unfavorable weather factors, temperature inversion, calm winds, and little rain. Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, many assessments and studies suggest that high traffic density and industrial activities are the main causes.

In addition, there is a factor affecting air quality, although there is no official research, but management agencies and scientists are also discussing and evaluating emissions from some natural and transboundary emission sources: Dust from agricultural activities, forest fires, and smoke from surrounding countries also spread and contribute to increasing pollution.

Faced with the increasing trend of air pollution, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, with the Department of Environment as the focal point, has been coordinating with ministries, branches, localities and enterprises to implement many key tasks such as developing tasks and projects to inventory emissions in key economic regions in the north and south to serve the work of analyzing and evaluating data, building models and scenarios for forecasting air pollution, etc.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is testing a 48-hour air quality forecasting model at the Northern Environmental Monitoring Center. The Ministry is finalizing the National Action Plan to overcome pollution and manage air quality, with specific targets for the period 2025-2030, with each group of solutions such as energy, emission sources, transportation, and construction.

At the same time, the Ministry has proactively carried out international cooperation activities and mobilized resources; coordinated with international organizations such as UNDP, ADB, World Bank, UNEP, corporations and general companies to implement pilot projects, develop a network of rapid air quality measurement stations, promote technology transfer, green transportation and mobilize financial and technical resources to improve air quality.

It is expected that in the near future, the Ministry will also have two working delegations, including a high-level delegation of the Minister to exchange experiences and learn from Beijing in improving, controlling and managing air quality.

Accelerate action against air pollution

Ms. Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, said that addressing air pollution is very important in the effort to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.

Ms. Ramla Khalidi called on all stakeholders including Government agencies, private sector partners, civil society, international and local communities and the general public to accelerate actions against air pollution.

"Air quality in Hanoi has decreased by 7%; in Ho Chi Minh City by 3% in recent years. We can see that it is a small number but in fact it is very large. I acknowledge and appreciate the commitments of the Vietnamese Government to improve air quality. In the coming time, relevant agencies need to strengthen scientific research facilities, improve research and forecasting work...", UNDP Representative in Vietnam shared.

On the afternoon of April 25, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will join the National Assembly's Supervisory Delegation to organize a workshop on mechanisms, policies and laws related to air quality management, thereby helping to point out shortcomings to perfect the legal framework and create favorable conditions for localities and businesses to implement air pollution control measures.

Thu Cuc

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/tim-giai-phap-kiem-soat-cai-thien-chat-luong-khong-khi-102250424184223131.htm