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Cycle 1 (2011 Deadline)
Assessment of impacts of the emission reduction measures of short-lived climate forcers on air quality and climate in SE Asia
PI: Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, Asian Institute of Technology
Co-PIs: Huang Xuan Co, Hanoi University of Sciences Vietnam National University; Asep Sofyan, Institute of Technology Bandung; and
Nguyen Tri Quang Hung, Nong Lam University
US Partner: Philip Hopke, Clarkson University
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Prof. Kim Oanh and her students (Mr. Dong and Ms. Hang) interviewing a farmer who was harvesting potatoes at Dong Lao commune on 26 December 2012. Photo courtesy of Dr. Hoang Anh Le.
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Project Dates: June 2012 - May 2015
Project Overview
In Southeast Asia (SEA) the levels of strong short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) such as black carbon and tropospheric ozone have been reported to be high and increasing, which may have multiple effects on air quality, health, crops, and climate. SEA is also recognized as a major emitter of both air pollution and climate forcers in Asia, with several typical emission source types of importance such as agroresidue field burning, residential combustion, solid waste open burning, and small and medium industries. As yet, no comprehensive study has been conducted to explore quantitative links between the SEA source emission intensity and resulting air quality, the associated effects, and the climate impacts within the region and beyond. To meet the need for data and analysis on the topic, this project will bring together leading SEA and US research groups to study air pollution – climate interactions. The project will involve assessment of the impacts of various mitigation measures of important SLCFs in the SEA region on air quality and climate using a co-benefit approach and will generate a scientific basis for policy recommendations to integrate air quality and climate policies.
The concrete objectives and planned activities of this project include a comprehensive emission inventory database of key air pollutants and climate forcers for major emission sources for SEA, development of action plans for emission reduction, and pilot scale emission reduction projects for the target sources in selected SEA countries. Two countries, Indonesia and Vietnam, were selected for the emission inventory and pilot scale projects. The target sources will be selected based on the results of the emission inventory and should have the potential to multiply, such as agroresidue field burning, solid waste open burning, and residential cooking. Realistic emission reduction scenarios will be developed and assessed using a modeling tool. Through its involvement of researchers from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the United States, the project should create new knowledge on the interactions between emissions, local and regional air quality, and regional climate as it promotes the development of a strong research network.
Summary of Recent Activities
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Prof. Kim Oanh and her student (Ms. Nhung) interviewing a farmer about mushroom harvesting at Dong Lao commune on 26 December 2012. Photo courtesy of Dr. Hoang Anh Le.
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The multi-institution team led by Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh of AIT had another busy quarter in early 2013. The AIT research group has developed questionnaires for collecting data on domestic cooking and open burning of agricultural residue and solid waste. The questionnaires have been administered in Vietnam in collaboration with HUS and in Indonesia with ITB through the research efforts of AIT master’s students in the respective countries. In collaboration with the HUS team, AIT collected data in the Hanoi Metropolitan Region to develop an emission inventory for domestic cooking and solid waste open burning. In cooperation with ITB, AIT also conducted a survey on domestic cooking and municipal solid waste open burning in Surabaya, Indonesia. Now that they have been both developed and field tested, the questionnaires will be used by NLU for a data gathering campaign in southern Vietnam that is planned for May 2013. In addition, HUS, ITB, and NLU will implement a similar approach to other cities in their countries. The AIT team has also been working on updating the national emission inventory for Thailand for 2010 with a focus on forest fire and crop residue open burning. As for upcoming plans, Dr. Kim Oanh and her group are organizing the project’s annual review workshop May 20-24, 2013, which will be held at the AIT Convention Center in Pathum Thani, Thailand. The event will include a two-day annual review workshop, followed by two days of technical training on monitoring, emission inventory, and modeling. The training will be delivered by U.S. partner Prof. Philip Hopke and the AIT team. AIT has developed an emission inventory workbook for these major sources that will also be shared with the national partners at this workshop.
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