Ulaanbaatar, April 9, 2024 /MONTSAME/. In Mongolia, air pollution is causing various diseases and worsening each year. The SOAP II project, funded by the European Union's SWITCH-Asia program, is being implemented to prevent air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The SOAP II project aims to reduce air pollution in Ulaanbaatar city by insulating detached houses. It is being implemented in two phases, from 2018 to 2026. Over the past five years, the SOAP project has helped households avoid 3556 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 2411 fuel consumption.

Insulating a house has the advantages of reducing indoor temperature fluctuations and maintaining a stable temperature. It also simplifies labor related to stove firing and creates more comfort as there is no need to fire multiple times a day.

The SOAP project is now in its second phase, with a focus on Ulaanbaatar city. A replication pilot project is underway in a selected province to extend the project's impact and share its successful practices, capturing the experience in provincial areas. The choice of Darkhan-Uul, the central region's development center, was based on a meticulous evaluation of 13 qualitative and quantitative criteria, including the province capital's air pollution level, operational feasibility, and economic capacity. This demonstrates the project's strategic approach and careful consideration of various factors.

On March 21st and 22nd, 2024, a field visit was conducted in Darkhan-Uul for the pilot replication. Representatives from the project and the financier participated in the visit. During the visit, the team met with the Deputy Governor of the province, Javkhlan B., the Urban Replanning Department, and the Nairamdal Project Team funded by the European Union, and also visited the energy-efficient demo house and other complementary projects implemented in the province.

 Our province is carrying out the 'No Air Pollution in Darkhan' project to decrease air pollution and encourage a healthy and safe living environment by adopting eco-friendly approaches and technologies. We are delighted to implement the SOAP II project as it aligns with the strategic objectives of our province.

Mr. Javkhlan.B, Deputy governor of Darkhan-Uul province

As a result of the meeting, it was mutually agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and develop a cooperation action plan. In 2024, Darkhan-Uul residents will be able to have standard insulation according to the standard technology within the framework of the SOAP II project.

I am very pleased with the provincial authorities' dedication to implementing the SOAP II project in the Darkhan-Uul province. Their unrelenting efforts and shared commitment to this project have instilled a sense of confidence in me that the pilot replication will be a success. I am optimistic that through this joint dedication, the project will pave the way for future endeavors that will benefit the province and its inhabitants.

Mr. Adrien Mourgues, the leader of the cooperation section team of

Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia

With the implementation of the project in Darkhan-Uul province, residents of Darkhan with detached houses will have the opportunity to be provided with standard insulation services from the brigades trained under the project. As part of the SOAP II project, roof, wall, foundation, floor,, and full insulation products were developed, brigades are trained to perform insulation work, and we are working to increase the availability of green loan products from partner financial institutions.

The SOAP II project also plans to organize public awareness campaigns on the importance of insulation, increase awareness of energy efficiency, and increase engagement of the general public in reducing air pollution.

The European Union SWITCH-Asia program funded SOAP II project is being led by Geres INGO, jointly being implemented with the Mongolian National Construction Association NGO, the Mongolian Women’s Fund, the Building Energy Efficiency Center under MUST, and the Mongolian Green Finance Corporation.

For more information about the project, please inquire on the Facebook page of the SOAP II project or call the project call center at 7505-2000.

ABOUT SOAP II project

As the Government declared that Ulaanbaatar city's air pollution had reached a disaster threshold in 2017, the project was commenced, aiming to combat air pollution by decreasing the heat loss of detached houses in ger districts and increasing energy efficiency. SOAP project is being implemented in 2 phases, from 2018 – 2026, to contribute to the uptake of less polluting and more resource-efficient practices in housing in Mongolia with the specific objective to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban Mongolia through the scale-up of conducive and inclusive access to finance and to energy-efficient solutions in the individual housing sector.