Highlights and reflections from the CLEAN-Air Forum, Lagos, 2024
Policy landscape for data uptake
The policy dialogue interrogated the existing air quality policy landscape in different African contexts. It mapped out avenues for enhancing capacity in data collection and monitoring to better understand pollution sources and trends, and integrating data in decision making and policy development. The dialogue showcased best practices, resources, and technology while highlighting the need for multidisciplinary collaborative efforts.
Policymakers co-created strategies to improve the integration of air quality data into policy-making processes including, training and capacity enhancement on monitoring, enforcement and regulations, addressing sector-specific sources of pollution, and improving public awareness and engagement in air quality issues, and monitoring and evaluation.
Communities of practice and participatory air quality management
Different case studies of building local transdisciplinary communities of practice underscored the case for participatory air quality management. Emerging case studies of transdisciplinary collaborations included Lagos, Kampala, Nairobi, Accra, Lagos, Cross-river state, Mexico City and Pakistan, Nigeria, and Mexico City.
Research from Angola, Kenya, and Cameroon demonstrated the importance of diverse methodologies, including low-cost sensors and emissions inventories, to establish continuous air quality monitoring networks across Africa, highlighting the need to close data gaps on the continent. Community-led initiatives can drive action and awareness but experts emphasized the necessity of access to data, and community resources such as toolkits and impact assessments as decision support tools.
Digital platforms and data for action
Experts articulated insights on emerging evidence of air pollution's impact on health and economy in different African contexts including Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Yaounde, Kampala, and The Gambia, in addition to case studies outside Africa such as Mexico City and Karachi. There was convergence on the need for increased ground monitoring, particularly leveraging transformative approaches such as low-cost sensors, satellites, machine learning applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to close the data gaps in African cities.
The spotlight on technologies such as AirQo’s AI-powered open-source digital platforms, underscored the importance of real-time monitoring, and empowering communities with critical information about the air they breathe. This approach not only fosters transparency but also encourages informed decision-making at both the individual and policy levels.
Maria Glynda Bathan-Baterina, Deputy Executive Director, Clean Air Asia presented the experiences of regional cooperation from Clean Air Asia as a scalable use case for regional cooperation, and advancing South-to-South Collaborations for clean air.
High-level commitments and announcements
H.E Will Stevens, Consul General, US Consulate, Lagos highlighted the collaborations with local U.S Missions and commitments to advancing regional local capacity for clean air. He further outlined the benefits of working together to solve African problems and emphasized the potential to position African solutions for tackling global problems.
Jennifer R. Littlejohn, the Ag. Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, US State Department who gave a guest keynote on the regional capacity for clean air in African cities. She highlighted the importance of effective data-driven and collaborative actions noting that addressing air pollution requires understanding the problem first through generating reliable data and making it publicly available.
“Countries must work cooperatively to address the problem of air pollution, which, as we all know, does not respect borders. This requires building communities of practice that understand and sustain data collection, effectively apply response plans, and educate their local communities.”
Her call to action comes against the backdrop of the recently adopted UNEA-6/10 resolution on regional cooperation for improved air quality, and the CLEAN-Air Forum advances these aspirations.
Executive Governor, Lagos State, H.E Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Tokunbo Wahab, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State reiterated the Lagos State Government's resolve to implement policies that address air pollution and other climate challenges impacting public health. The Commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating all environmental threats and called on the CLEAN-Air forum experts to develop a policy framework that could help address the African continent's persistent air pollution problem.
Reflections and Way Forward
The CLEAN-Air Forum Lagos underscored the critical importance of collaboration in managing air quality across African cities. As we move forward, it is essential to build on the insights and momentum generated during these discussions. By continuing to leverage technological advancements, fostering interdisciplinary research, and promoting robust policy frameworks, African cities can develop and implement sustainable solutions for cleaner air.
The next CLEAN-Air Forum should leverage this year’s commitments to further collaborations, focusing on actionable strategies and expanding collective efforts to ensure healthier urban environments across the continent.
We deeply appreciate the tremendous support we received during the CLEAN-Air Forum, Lagos, 2024. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all attendees, speakers and partners whose commitment contributed to the success of this event.
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