Current and future economic growth will cause serious air quality problems in Asia, negatively impacting human health and crop production, unless further air pollution control policies are implemented. Increased economic activity will also lead to more greenhouse gas emissions and subsequent climate change. Yet, air pollutants and greenhouse gases can be reduced simultaneously at far lower costs because they often originate from the same sources.
A tool to combat air pollution and climate change simultaneously
An international team of researchers have developed a scientific tool to guide policy makers through the complex process of air pollutant controls and greenhouse gas mitigation in China and India. Known as GAINS (Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies), this state-of-the-art interdisciplinary model builds on a scientific tool that has already helped European governments slash air pollution across the continent without compromising economic development.
Four key policy messages
GAINS-Asia developed four key policy messages for people working on cleaner air in Asia:
Current economic growth will intensify air quality problems in Asia unless current pollution control laws are significantly upgraded. [Read more ...]
Compared to a conventional strategy, the GAINS cost-effectiveness approach can find ways to reduce costs for improving air quality by 80% [Read more ...]
By selecting a smart mix of measures to simultaneously cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, countries can further reduce air pollution control costs as well as cut greenhouse gas emissions. [Read more ...]
The GAINS online model, implemented for China, India and Pakistan, is freely accessible at this web site and can be implemented for other countries.
A brochure that summarizes key policy finding of the GAINS-Asia cost-effectiveness analysis has been released. Download the brochure (pdf) or request a
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MICS-Asia: Model intercomparison of atmospheric dispersion models for Asia
Since 1998, IIASA is organizing annual workshops to compare results from atmospheric dispersion models for Asia. To date, participants from Asia, Europe and the US conducted three phases of model intercomparisons. The workshops are organized in cooperation with the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia EANET).
Overview
Current and future economic growth will cause serious air quality problems in Asia, negatively impacting human health and crop production, unless further air pollution control policies are implemented. Increased economic activity will also lead to more greenhouse gas emissions and subsequent climate change. Yet, air pollutants and greenhouse gases can be reduced simultaneously at far lower costs because they often originate from the same sources.
An international team of researchers have developed a scientific tool to guide policy makers through the complex process of air pollutant controls and greenhouse gas mitigation in China and India. Known as GAINS (Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies), this state-of-the-art interdisciplinary model builds on a scientific tool that has already helped European governments slash air pollution across the continent without compromising economic development.
Since 1998, IIASA is organizing annual workshops to compare results from atmospheric dispersion models for Asia. To date, participants from Asia, Europe and the US conducted three phases of model intercomparisons. The workshops are organized in cooperation with the