AirParif mission to assess air quality monitoring and management in Colombo

Better quality air is an essential requirement for overall health and wellbeing. Air pollution and its adverse effects on human health remain a major environmental concern, especially in urban areas.  Studies indicate that globally about 0.5-1.0 million people die prematurely each year as a result of urban air pollution. Epidemiological studies show that the air pollution in developing countries accounts for tens of thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in medical costs and loss of productivity each year.

Sri Lanka is the 25th most polluted country in the world according to the IQAir AirVisual’s 2019 World Air Quality Report. Atmospheric pollution has been identified as a growing problem in Sri Lanka due to increasing sources of air pollution (industries, thermal power plants, vehicles, etc.). The transport sector in particular is a major source of air pollution in Sri Lanka. In 2016 there were 6.8 million motor vehicles registered, an 8 % increase from 2015. Accordingly, the transport sector accounts for about 60% of fossil fuel consumption in the country. 

These trends have serious implications on the population’s health, productivity and economic growth as well as the attractiveness of Sri Lankan cities. The Medical Digest of Sri Lanka reveals that over the last decade, the second highest cause for hospitalisation in the country was respiratory diseases. The leading cause for respiratory diseases is the increase in air pollution. 

Colombo, the commercial capital and largest urban agglomeration, suffers the most from deteriorated air quality. Several action plans and programs such as the ‘Clean Air 2000 Action Plan’, fuel quality improvements and vehicle emission testing program have been introduced over the past few years to address this issue. However, there remains a huge gap in measuring and monitoring air quality in Sri Lanka. This is a fundamental first step in understanding and comprehensively addressing the issue. 

In light of this, the French Development Agency (AFD) is providing a grant of up to € 500,000 million to carry out a feasibility study with regards to air quality monitoring and management in Colombo. Accordingly, AFD has engaged the technical expertise of Air Parif (https://www.airparif.asso.fr/) to jointly identify and develop a comprehensive project in air quality monitoring and management with the Sri Lankan authorities. 

Air Parif is the leading organisation, accredited by the Ministry of Environment France, responsible for monitoring air quality in Paris and its surrounding regions. The delegation from Air Parif will be in Sri Lanka from 2-6 March to design the project terms of reference in consultation with key stakeholder institutions. An event hosted by the Embassy of France has been organised on 3 March to raise awareness on this very relevant but under-reported topic. The Air Resources and National Ozone Unit under the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources is the key national counterpart in this project. 

It is hoped that the this study and its outcomes will pave the way for improved air quality and livability in Colombo and consequently enhance the city’s attractiveness so as to complement the massive infrastructure investments that will transform the city of Colombo in the coming years. 

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group (https://www.afd.fr/en) funds, supports and accelerates the transition to a fairer and more sustainable world. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, its teams carry out more than 4,000 projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and another 115 countries. AFD’s actions are specifically focused on contributing to the commitment of France and the French people to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).