Ulaanbaatar
National Committee outlines air pollution reduction measures
Politics
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The National Committee for Environmental Pollution Reduction led by Prime Minister held a year-end meeting on December 13. The former National Committee for Air Pollution Reduction reviewed its activities in 2017 and outlined future actions.
The National Committee agreed to intensify the removal of steam boilers, increase energy sources, introduce technological innovation in government-run buildings and facilities, increase the number of air quality monitoring stations, provide processed fuel to target groups and run a campaign on reduction of heat loss.
The meeting was attended by all Deputy Ministers and authorities of the Specialized Inspection Department of the capital city, Administration of Land Affairs, Geodesy and Cartography, Mongolian Environmental Civil Council and ‘Parents Against Smog’ NGO.
Prime Minister and Head of the Committee U.Khurelsukh stated the fact that air quality in the capital city hasn’t noticeably improved despite expenditure of MNT 147 billion fund from budget and USD 60 million foreign investment in the last decade. The Cabinet adopted a National Program on Reduction of Air and Environmental Pollution on March 20 this year.
“A nationwide campaign should be waged against environmental pollution, specifically air pollution, which has reached life-threatening levels. The budget allocated for air pollution reduction measures must be spent on actions that will yield practical results,” he noted.
The most recent decision taken by the Cabinet targeted reduction of the negative impacts of air pollution through installation of air purifiers in all schools and kindergartens. Mayor of Ulaanbaatar S.Batbold reported on the implementation of the Cabinet decision and informed that schools and kindergartens located in the most heavily polluted zones will be provided with air purifiers within December 20, and the rest in early 2018. The Prime Minister instructed that the air purifiers should meet basic standards, and expenditure of the MNT 4 billion fund for this purchase must be transparent.
Mayor S.Batbold mentioned some measures that can be taken - restriction of raw coal consumption, implementation of a ‘One Yard – One Household’ policy and transition to gas fuel in public transport. The Mayor also spoke of a possibility to move the capital city administration and its affiliate departments from downtown so that about 20 thousand people will not have to visit the center of the city for public services.
NGO representatives present at the meeting voiced an opinion that public awareness must be increased on social responsibility regarding air pollution, saying that an existing tendency to consider the issuance of tuition fee to students and ger to low-income households as social responsibility must be challenged.
The National Committee agreed to intensify the removal of steam boilers, increase energy sources, introduce technological innovation in government-run buildings and facilities, increase the number of air quality monitoring stations, provide processed fuel to target groups and run a campaign on reduction of heat loss.
The meeting was attended by all Deputy Ministers and authorities of the Specialized Inspection Department of the capital city, Administration of Land Affairs, Geodesy and Cartography, Mongolian Environmental Civil Council and ‘Parents Against Smog’ NGO.
Prime Minister and Head of the Committee U.Khurelsukh stated the fact that air quality in the capital city hasn’t noticeably improved despite expenditure of MNT 147 billion fund from budget and USD 60 million foreign investment in the last decade. The Cabinet adopted a National Program on Reduction of Air and Environmental Pollution on March 20 this year.
“A nationwide campaign should be waged against environmental pollution, specifically air pollution, which has reached life-threatening levels. The budget allocated for air pollution reduction measures must be spent on actions that will yield practical results,” he noted.
The most recent decision taken by the Cabinet targeted reduction of the negative impacts of air pollution through installation of air purifiers in all schools and kindergartens. Mayor of Ulaanbaatar S.Batbold reported on the implementation of the Cabinet decision and informed that schools and kindergartens located in the most heavily polluted zones will be provided with air purifiers within December 20, and the rest in early 2018. The Prime Minister instructed that the air purifiers should meet basic standards, and expenditure of the MNT 4 billion fund for this purchase must be transparent.
Mayor S.Batbold mentioned some measures that can be taken - restriction of raw coal consumption, implementation of a ‘One Yard – One Household’ policy and transition to gas fuel in public transport. The Mayor also spoke of a possibility to move the capital city administration and its affiliate departments from downtown so that about 20 thousand people will not have to visit the center of the city for public services.
NGO representatives present at the meeting voiced an opinion that public awareness must be increased on social responsibility regarding air pollution, saying that an existing tendency to consider the issuance of tuition fee to students and ger to low-income households as social responsibility must be challenged.
Kh.Aminaa
