Southeast Asia Air Quality Community of Practice Webinar Notes

Introduction

• Warm welcome to participants from Southeast Asia and around the world.
• Agenda for the session:
  • Introduction by Satya Utama (Project Manager)
  • Presentation by Beatriz Cardinas (Air Quality Director) on air pollution episodes.
  • Main session led by Rajes Kumar on understanding air pollution through data and tools.
  • Q&A sessions and panel discussion with city representatives from Manila and Jakarta.

Session Overview

• Recording of the webinar for documentation.
• Participants encouraged to use chat and Q&A features for interaction and questions.
• Technical support is available via email.
• Interpretation in Bahasa Indonesia and English provided.

Introduction by Satya Utama

• Air Pollution in Southeast Asia: Significant issue, cutting life expectancy by 1.5 years.
• 7 out of 11 countries not moving towards best practices in air quality management.
• Southeast Asia Air Quality Community of Practice launched in June 2023 in Bangkok.
• Goal: Connect practitioners, academics, and stakeholders to enhance air quality management and capacity building.
• Current Activities: Assessing city-level needs and priorities, launching inaugural meetings, and establishing platforms for knowledge sharing.

Key Points from Beatriz Cardinas' Presentation

• High Pollution Events: Increasing frequency of air pollution episodes in urban areas, especially in the Global South.
• Importance of data and tools in monitoring air quality.
• Historical examples: London (1952) and Mexico City (1980s) as significant pollution events leading to improved policies.
• Need for action: Understanding sources and implementing measures to reduce pollution levels effectively.

Rajes Kumar's Presentation on Delhi's Air Quality

• Current Situation: Delhi as a hotspot for air pollution with various emission sources.
  • Major contributors: Urban traffic, crop residue burning, and dust storms.
• Government Initiatives: Development of air quality monitoring networks and forecasting systems.
  • Use of Warf CAM model for forecasting air quality.
• Decision Support System: Integration of air quality models with observations to inform policymakers.
  • Tracking emissions from different sources and providing actionable insights.
• Challenges: Need for accurate emission inventories and addressing high pollution events effectively.

Q&A Session Highlights

• Technical questions regarding decision support systems and modeling approaches.
• Discussion on government collaboration with technology companies and research institutions in air quality management.
• Examples of successful data-driven approaches in pollution mitigation.

Panel Discussion with City Representatives

Mr. Jundi from Manila

• Current air quality conditions and major sources of pollution in Manila.
• Implementation of policies leading to improvements in air quality.
• Quick response measures for high pollution episodes involving public communication and safety measures.

Ms. IU Rahmawati from Jakarta

• Jakarta's strategies for air pollution monitoring and public engagement.
• Use of technology and partnerships for effective air quality management.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing among Southeast Asian cities for better air quality management.
• Anticipation for increased participation in the Southeast Asia air quality community of practice.
• Closing remarks by the MC.