A new report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), highlights the urgent need for integrated policies to address air pollution and climate change across Southeast Asia. IIASA researchers contributed as authors of the first chapter, laying the foundation for science-based policy action.
Despite policies that have led to air quality improvements, populations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) still face significant health risks due to air pollution exposure. Further measures to enhance air quality could deliver substantial health benefits while also supporting climate change mitigation and sustainable development. However, challenges such as limited financing, coordination difficulties, and capacity constraints continue to hinder the effective implementation of these solutions.
The new report titled, Clean Air and Climate Solutions for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), emphasizes the strong link between air pollution and climate change, highlighting how coordinated strategies can lead to cleaner air, improved public health, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Key recommendations include strengthening regional cooperation, adopting cleaner technologies, and aligning environmental policies with sustainable economic growth.
"Southeast Asia has a great opportunity to tackle air pollution and climate change together. By implementing integrated policies, countries can achieve multiple benefits, from better health outcomes to stronger economies," notes IIASA Pollution Management Research group Leader, Zbigniew Klimont, who together with several IIASA colleagues, led the modeling and assessment chapter of the report: Bringing clean air, better health, a stable climate and other benefits to the ASEAN region.
IIASA has a long history of collaboration on air pollution and climate change in the ASEAN region. For instance, the Institute has conducted assessments in Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand, finding that the cost of inaction on air pollution could equate to between 1.6% and 2.1% of each country's GDP by 2030. Additionally, the IIASA Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model has been instrumental in assessing emission reduction strategies that address both air pollution and climate change simultaneously. Specifically, the ongoing cooperative scientific project between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) - the IIASA National Member Organization for Vietnam and its scholarly community - and IIASA, GAINS-VIETNAM, aims to develop the scientific infrastructure for a long-lasting science-policy interface for air quality management in Vietnam.
The report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, offering data-driven strategies to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable future for the ASEAN region.
