Citizen Participation in Air Quality Management

The Issue

Though the economic development since the industrial revolution has delivered enormous socio-economic benefits, the progress is increasingly threatened by the very economic models that made it possible, as those benefits were delivered by unsustainable and over extraction of natural resources, while degrading the environment value due to pollution and driving climate change. Among these, emission of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, and their contribution to air quality (AQ) degradation (both indoor and outdoor) and climate change have been key concerns of urbanization and economic development globally. In particular, it is evident that the AQ degradation is a complex problem, having numerous sector interactions, multiple stressors and complicated systems, while any effective intervention should be an integrated element of a comprehensive solution derived through a holistic approach. Further, increased attention by global community to issues of air pollution has been seen recently with UN declaration on International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (September 07 of the year), emphasizing the importance of and urgent need to raise public awareness at all levels and to promote and facilitate actions to improve AQ. Yet, the issue continues to escalate at an alarming rate, resulting adverse impacts on human health and environment at local and global levels. It is inevitable that the present global population as well as future generations would continue to expose to harmful substances at unsafe levels depending on their working environment and life styles, unless the persisting gaps in AQ management (AQM) plans are addressed.

The Solution Framework

With the overpowering impacts of AQ degradation on human lives, health, economy, biodiversity, ecosystems etc., the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to AQM has been recognized worldwide. This requires the mainstreaming of AQM into the development agenda of the countries. Accordingly, AQM is now incorporated into the targets and indicators of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Good Health & Wellbeing (Goal 3) and Sustainable Cities & Communities (Goal 11). In fact the provision for clean air is a human right, as emphasized in the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2018 on Human Rights and the Environment, which describes human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment and protection gaps thereto, including in the context of sustainable development. Of these, UNHRC mandates the member states to protect the clean air component as a right to a healthy environment though seven key steps, including (a) monitoring AQ and impact on human health; (b) assessing sources of air pollution; (c) making information publicly available, including public health advisories; (d) establishing AQ legislation, regulations, standards and policies; (e) developing AQ action plans at the local, national and, if necessary, regional levels; (f) implementing AQ action plans, and enforcing standards; and (g) evaluating progress and, if necessary, strengthening plans to ensure that the standards are met. In fact, these aspects are taken into consideration by many countries in developing their national level AQM plans.

In Sri Lanka, a comprehensive approach to AQM has been perceived through evolving outcome of a set of strategies and activities identified and prioritized by the stakeholders since the early 1990s, as reflected in the Clean Air Action Plans published since then (2000, 2007 and 2015). This is now incorporated under Theme 1: AQM of the National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) 2022-2030: Pathway to Sustainable Development.

The Challenges

Though the commendable efforts have been taken in AQM at strategic level through policy and regulatory interventions in Sri Lanka, the effective implementation of the proposed actions has been impeded by a host of challenges related to limited physical, financial and human resources. For example, lack of a comprehensive AQ monitoring network for generation of sufficient data to understand the actual status air pollution across the country is a critical barrier for effective AQM in the country. Lack of data and information on the variety of sources and processes of air pollution and their effects and impacts on health and environment are among key concerns. Further, there are knowledge and capacity gaps that hinder the proper understanding of the key attributes of air quality degradation, as well as the identification and implementation of the required interventions.

Another concern is the top-down approach used in the development and implementation of AQM plans, where policy and regulatory environment is set by the national government, while the activity design, planning, and implementation are performed by related authorities, institutions and professionals. Consequently, the implementation of the AQM plan is perceived as the whole responsibility of the government, and there are very limited scope and entry points for other stakeholders to participate and contribute. The lack of stakeholder mobilization (i.e. consultation, engagement and empowerment) could be considered as a missing element in the implementation of National AQM plans.

The Citizen Science for AQM

Citizen science largely refers to the practice of public participation in scientific research and data collection, through which diverse talents and knowhow are applied to science and technology, often to learn more about issues that affect their lives and the environment. Through this, the civil society can contribute new and innovative tools to the field as well as provide information that would otherwise not be available due to time, geographic, or resource constraints of organizations.

Over the years, citizen science activities have been implemented for environmental monitoring and raising awareness but most of such works are contributory in nature, i.e. task design, planning and analysis are performed by professionals and experts, while citizens act as participants having a passive role. However, in the recent past, it is demonstrated that citizen science can be used as a tool to enhance public understanding of environment issues, particularly AQ degradation, by engaging communities and local stakeholders. Citizen science has the potential to contribute to the monitoring and mitigation of emission of air pollutants, particularly in regions lacking resources and data.

Recent advancements of low-cost AQ sensor technology combined with remote sensing and traditional monitoring methods present a new opportunity to understand and communicate AQ topics. The new air quality monitoring framework integrates data from satellites, AQ reference monitors, and compliments these measurements from low-cost sensor networks to improve spatial and temporal coverage. It has been realized that community engagement in AQ monitoring can support immensely the national level programmes implemented by the authorities and institutions. In fact, citizen science and low-cost sensors are an exciting and growing part of AQ awareness. Air sensor monitors that are lower in cost, portable, and generally easier to operate than regulatory-grade monitors, are widely used for citizen science to understand AQ conditions. They can be used by anyone and everyone, making learning about AQ measurement more accessible to communities. Air sensors are a valuable educational tool, although they do not replace regulatory monitors, which have met rigorous scientific review. In fact, these aspects are incorporated in the Theme 1: AQM of NEAP 2022-2030, and effective implementation of which is the way-forward for addressing the AQ degradation issue in the country.