Integrated air quality management (AQM) and climate change mitigation in the framework of the World Bank’s Pollution Management and Environmental Health (PMEH) Programme

Air pollution is responsible for the deaths of millions of people worldwide every year. Fine particles emitted by the industry and transport sectors belong to the category of short-lived climate pollutants, which together account for around 40 percent of global heating. Together with partner cities, the project developed integrated Clean Air Plans (CAPs) and mitigation plans for greenhouse gas emissions. The project complemented the World Bank’s PMEH programme with skill-building and resource development, and by establishing organisations and standards. Emissions inventories and air measurements were used to improve the data sets used as input for CAPs. The project also reviewed legal frameworks and selected municipal land use plans and suggested appropriate changes. Further training for key stakeholders and knowledge transfer between Germany and PMEH partner countries helped to support CAP development and mitigation measures in other PMEH partner countries.