Our Work
GEMS Air Strategic Approach
The global air quality challenge covers a broad variety of scales in spatial and temporal terms as well as in the context of actors involved. Addressing these dimensions calls for a broad, participatory, dynamic, and demand-oriented approach which can rely on a multidisciplinary expert and user community. In addressing global air pollution challenge, UNEP through GEMS/AIR has come up with a strategy to guide the operations and work plan development. This strategy proposes an agile approach to catalyze transformative change in the operational framework of GEMS/Air. It applies an innovative approach for formulating a revitalized GEMS/Air Program.
The strategy is designed around three strategic goals that are connected through supporting outreach and engagement which are Innovation labs, solution spaces and upscaling solutions that are bankable.
To deliver these goals, the GEMS/Air program is anchored around the activity streams that facilitate air quality management services to countries. This will be achieved through Partnership development (through the implementation of the CBAQd), data management, Awareness raising (drive action from a bottom-up as well as top-down approach),Capacity development (focused on governments and monitoring capabilities) and Knowledge exchange (share ideas, encourage collaboration, and set regional agendas)
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Consortium for Better Air Quality data
Allied with this new approach is the formation of a Consortium for Better Air Quality database (CBAQd) - a community of practice that pools expertise to offer an efficient mechanism to identify and scale capacities, know-how, best practices that have the potential to bring about change to improve air quality, through a partnership process.
The data, shared on a single, UN-coordinated platform, will empower governments to take action to improve policy, allow citizens to make more informed health choices and demand action from their governments, while giving businesses the ability to make investment decisions that promote a cleaner, greener environment.
By feeding into the work of the CBAQ and deriving benefits from the collective knowledge of the consortium, GEMS/Air intends to maximize synergies with the global multi-stakeholder community. This approach will enable GEMS/Air to be instrumental in creating a baseline of air quality monitoring from global to local scale and, by connecting through the CBAQ to its members that include the government, private sector, space agencies and earth observation services, UN, Academia, non-state actors, civil society, international development agencies, philanthropy and so on.
This strategy is a living document that will evolve as needs are validated, and will rely on active engagement, adequate financial support, communications, and regular updates of operational workplans for annual approval. Its implementation adopts a project modality in line with UNEP’s program implementation norms. The active digital presence of all activities, including the strategy that is accessible online at: https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/air/what-we-do/monitoring-air-quality/gems-air-strategic-plan
To join the CBAQ members are advised to fill in the Expression of Interest found here
Air Quality Data Management
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in partnership with UN-Habitat and IQAir—a Swiss air quality technology company—have come together to develop the largest real-time air quality databank, bundling real-time air quality data for particulate matter (PM2.5) from thousands of initiatives run by citizens, communities, governments and the private sector
The platform addresses the global air quality information gap by bringing together data collected by governments, NGOs, companies and local community groups and individuals. Anyone can apply to contribute real-time air quality data. To ensure data accuracy, IQAir brings its experience in creating and operating its global air quality map to ensure the reliability of published data through its validation and calibration system, which uses advanced machine-learning algorithms.
By improving access to real-time air quality data, this unique collaboration between UN entities, the private sector and local governments is expected to accelerate efforts to change how transport, waste management and other services are managed in cities so that air pollution from these activities is significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
Air Quality Guidance
Low Cost Sensor Deployment
The UN Environment Programme is leading the deployment of affordable air quality monitoring networks for assessing air pollution in cities and proactively assessing the viability of fusing satellite and ground observations in developing countries where data gaps for air quality has persisted for decades. Interest and request for technical support has been expressed by more than 50 countries and air quality focal points within local governments established with UNEP to engage in efforts
Recent advancements of low-cost air quality sensor technology combined with remote sensing and traditional monitoring methods present a new opportunity to understand and communicate air quality. Satellite observations offer global coverage and has the potential to provide a comprehensive view of PM2.5 concentrations in near-real time when combined with ground-level monitor data. Recent advances in modelling offers a resolution of less than 1 square kilometer. Since 2009, the United States has been refining a system to fuse NASA/NOAA satellite-estimated surface PM2.5 concentrations with ground-level observations of PM2.5 to improve spatial coverages of estimates for the United States.
