TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMPLETION REPORT
Division: Environment and Safeguards Division TA No., Country and Name: TA 6510-REG: Capturing and Transferring Air Quality Management Knowledge in Asia Executing Agency: Asian Development Bank TA Approval TA Signing Date: Date: 4 December 2008 Source of Funding: Japan Special Fund Fielding of First Consultants: 28 April 2009 Amount Approved: $500,000 Revised Amount: NA Amount Undisbursed: $10,373.22 TA Completion Date Original: 31 October 2010 Account Closing Date Original: 31 October 2010 Amount Utilized: $489,626.78 Actual: 31 December 2010 Actual: 31 March 2011
Description Due to rapid urbanization and motorization in Asia, urban air pollution continues to pose a significant health threat to the city population of Asia. While data, information and knowledge on air quality in Asian cities are increasingly generated, the capture and transfer of this knowledge to DMC policy makers has not been adequate to facilitate sound decision-making for planning and investment based on scientific evidence and international good practices. The TA was formulated to respond to this need, including the operational requisite in ADB, to improve knowledge transfer and sharing on air quality management (AQM) in the region. This TA is a sequel to the air quality TA series (from most recent): TA 6291-REG, TA 6144-REG, TA 6016-REG and TA 5937-REG. Expected Impact, Outcome and Outputs The anticipated impact of the TA was that air pollution in Asia is further reduced through improved formulation and implementation of urban development, clean energy, and sustainable transport policies regionally, nationally, and locally. The intended outcome was policy makers and the stakeholders who influence decisions in Asia have better access to AQM knowledge and more effectively use AQM knowledge management to further policy development. The expected outputs were: (i) information from a regularly maintained AQM website is incorporated in government policy documents, and (ii) AQM communities of practice (CoPs) are maintained to provide an effective forum for stakeholders to share knowledge and good practices in AQM. Delivery of Inputs and Conduct of Activities The project concept was relevant as support to ADBs Environment Policy (2002), Millennium Development Goals on environmental sustainability (2000), Knowledge Management Strategy (2004), and ADBs Strategy 2020 (2008). The TA design was appropriate. The governments of the 5 case study countries, namely, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Sri Lanka provided no objection concurrence to being case study countries. The baseline survey on informational needs of the AQM community, and testing and full operation of the knowledge sharing platform of the TA (called the Clean Air Portal: http://cleanairinitiative.org) provided ample opportunity for national/local agencies and other beneficiaries to provide inputs and be involved in the discussions in the CoPs. The portal in its upgraded form is less than a year old and will still take time to draw full and maximum participation in the CoP discussions. The implementation arrangement whereby ADB entered into a Letter of Agreement with Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) Center to implement the TA, including the engagement of consultants, was suitable as originally provided in the TA report and in accordance with ADB guidelines. It achieved administrative efficiency as it ensured familiarity and continuity of previous work done on bettering air quality started by CAI-Asia. The TORs for consultants were consistent with TA scope. There were 18 consultants engaged under the TA, all individuals, with 13 national and 5 international. One of the international consultants managed policy development case studies and report preparation; another took the lead in the development of the new portal while the others served as resource persons in the CoPs/case study discussions. The national consultants worked on the technical development of the new portal, updating its content, research, facilitation of CoP discussion, coordination, and technical and administrative backstopping. The performance of the international and national consultants was satisfactory as indicated in their PERs. The quantity and quality of air quality data and information on the upgraded portal improved, for example, coverage of countries with air quality data rose from over 180 before the TA to over 230 countries in 2010. Sources of information now are official sources/websites which were not there before. However, there are still data gaps, for example, lack of data for PM2.5, ozone, carbon monoxide, etc. is being encountered mainly due to nonmeasurement of these pollutants by countries, non-existence of standards, non-official dissemination, etc.

The TAs clientele was satisfied with ADBs management of the project. Two minor changes in scope were approved for the TA dealing with reallocation of costs and engagement of national consultants for technical enhancements and content migration to the new portal, technical and administrative backstopping, and CoP facilitation. The timeframe of the TA was extended once by one month to allow dissemination of the publication at Better Air Quality (BAQ) 2010 Conference on November 9-11, 2010 in Singapore. Evaluation of Outputs and Achievement of Outcome The TA succeeded in delivering the outcome targeted in DMF. Using information and communication technology, the TA tested 4 delivery mechanisms for capturing and transferring AQM knowledge to the target users, namely, portal, email, CoPs and web-based seminars (webinars). The outputs were achieved: (i) the portal has been populated with detailed data and information on pollutant concentration, and updated national air quality standards used in the policy case studies under the TA, as well as news features with RSS feeds and factsheets. Information is tailored to the 3 key stakeholder groups, namely: policy and decision makers, practitioners and the public. Information has been used in the revised emission standards for stationary sources in Sri Lanka, and Kathmandu Clean Air Action Plan in Nepal. The quality of the data/information in the portal is good based on feedback from an online survey conducted before the end of the TA. The availability of data and information is the main reason why users access the portal. Access to AQM data and information on the upgraded portal increased as indicated by an average monthly growth rate in portal traffic of 27 per cent for the period February-November 2010 (portal was launched in February 2010). The number of unique visitors reached 9,240 in November with 15,038 number of visits. The average visit duration was 5.24 minutes which is already long. At least 10 requests for information were received monthly. Likewise, citations on clean air initiatives came out every month. Many of the important citations include a report on Delhis race to clean air, fuel additive, and those which came out during the BAQ 2010 Conference; and (ii) 2 general CoPs on AQM and sustainable transport were established and maintained. The CoP membership had good representation from the government, private, academe and civil society sectors. The number of members is increasing. Feedback from an online survey on the effectiveness of CoPs as fora for AQM policy discussion was positive and constructive. The TA developed and piloted the innovative Clean Air Scorecard to report on air quality in 3 Asian cities as provided in the TA design. The CAI-Asia Center was able to leverage the application of the Scorecard to 5 other cities, not funded by the TA. The TA provided inputs to the development of ADBs sustainable transport initiative (STI) building on previous work done by CAI-Asia with support from ADB. Training on the use of the portal was provided to the 8 CAI-Asia Country Networks and CAI-Asia Center staff during the Country Summit in 2009 at the CAI-Asia main office in Manila, Philippines, with a total number of 20 participants. Training for the Clean Air Scorecard which was one of the case studies, was done during a pre-event at the Breakout Session on Assessing Air Quality and GHG Management at BAQ 2010 with 45 participants. Webinars were conducted for each of the 3 case studies which proved effective at minimal cost. The TA produced 1 publication entitled Knowledge Management on Air Quality: Case Studies. It was disseminated at the BAQ 2010 Conference. Overall Assessment and Rating The TA was successful. The TA was relevant to the prioritized needs of the region. Most outputs as planned and the outcome were effectively delivered. The Clean Air Scorecard has been launched and disseminated. There were no major changes in the TA design and costs were minimized with the use of ICT tools in output delivery. The outcome of the TA will be sustained by the CAI-Asia Center which is already starting discussions with city and donor entities to maximize the use of the portal. The potential for accessing AQM information in the portal and reaching the target user groups is likely to increase because of increasing use of mobile internet connections. Major Lessons The TA is the first one approved after CAI-Asia became an independent non-profit organization. Letters of agreement (LoA) were concluded between the CAI-Asia Center and ADB for the TA. While LoAs served like contracts with consulting firms, it is important for smooth TA implementation to retain an understanding that entities such as CAI-Asia do not perceive themselves as consultants but as partners focused on a common cause. Recommendations and Follow-Up Actions ADB should continue providing the CAI-Asia Center with advice and guidance, while maintaining a strategic partnership.

Prepared by: Masami Tsuji
Designation: Principal Environment Specialist

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMPLETION REPORT
Division: Environment and Safeguards Division TA No., Country and Name: TA 6144-REG: Better Air Quality Management in Asia Executing Agency: Asian Development Bank TA Approval TA Signing Date: Date: 28 November 2003 Source of Funding: Japan Special Fund/Private Sector Companies Fielding of First Consultants: 8 December 2003 Amount Approved: $300,000 Revised Amount: $1,010,000 Amount Undisbursed: $32,623.31 TA Completion Date Original: 30 April 2005 Account Closing Date Original: 30 April 2005 Amount Utilized: $977,376
Actual: 30 November 2008 Actual: 31 December 2008
Description Scientific evidence has increased understanding of the impacts of air pollution on public health, ecosystems, agriculture and climate change. The WHO estimates that about 500,000 premature deaths occur annually in Asia due to ambient air pollution, so Asian countries face significant challenges to improve air quality. The regional technical assistance (TA) was conceptualized in answer to the continued need at the local, national, and regional levels to stimulate more broad-based involvement in air quality management (AQM) and to improve the quantity, relevance, and quality of AQM activities. The TA was designed to put forward a stronger emphasis on sectoral policy formulation and implementation of concrete AQM policies, interventions and/or specific integrated action plans toward better AQM. A key consideration was strengthening linkages among the government, private sector, and civil society. The TA builds on the efforts of precedent TAs: TA 5937-REG and TA 6016-REG. Expected Impact, Outcome and Outputs The anticipated impact of the TA was stabilized or improved air quality levels in Asian cities. The outcome was strengthened AQM in Asia through (i) increased level of awareness of decision makers, and (ii) integration of air pollution management in environmental and AQM-related sectoral (transport, energy, health and urban development) policy making and implementation. The outputs were: (i) improved knowledge base and better understanding of economic and social implications of local and regional air pollution by decision makers in Asia, (ii) formulation of local, national and regional AQM strategies and the identification of AQM assistance in selected locations based on review of legislation where relevant, and (iii) regional dialogue on AQM. The TA design was clear, appropriate and adequate. It was relevant in terms of consistency with ADB's Environment Policy (2002), the Long Term Strategic Framework (LTSF 2001-2015) and the region's environmental demands in maintaining life-support sytems and reducing poverty and promoting economic growth. The TOR for consultants were consistent with TA scope. The implementation arrangements were appropriate, utilizing the existing committees and networks in ADB, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) and multi-stakeholder networks established through CAI-Asia. The original implementation schedule proved to be short in the course of TA implementation as the TA was able to obtain additional funding and had to be extended in order to carry out additional identified activities. Similarly, additional time was needed for the action plan component due to the need for additional consultations with the selected countries and cities on the scope for these action plans, and later for conducting an emissions inventory training course and a pilot project. Likewise, because of the extensive consultations on the drafts of the Road Map for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Asia, it took longer to finalize the content of the report. Regional departments, DMCs and other stakeholders were consulted at TA formulation and during implementation as was necessary. Delivery of Inputs and Conduct of Activities Twenty consultants were hired under the TA, 18 of which were individuals and two were firms; six were international and 14 were local. One international consultant worked on overseeing major aspects of the TA as well as directly providing inputs for moving the TA's activities forward. Four international fuels experts worked on developing the Road Map report. Four domestic consultants from the Philippines worked on the coordination, website content, research, and action plan components of the TA. Nine domestic consultants from the PRC, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka were engaged for the organizational development of the respective country networks and/or implementation of pilot projects for AQM in these countries. The services of the international and domestic consultants were of high quality and their performance was satisfactory as indicated in their PERs. The AQM community consisting of national policymakers, academe, local governments,

civil society, industry groups and practitioners reached by the list serve and e-groups, as well as those participants at Better Air Quality (BAQ) and other workshops, seminars and conferences were satisfied with the quality of work done in identifying, producing and disseminating AQM information, studies and strategies and implementing projects. Very good feedback was received from the participants in the AQM trainings conducted under the TA (e.g., Basic AQM Training, Key Source Identification and Emission Inventory Development). The process of developing the Road Map report was especially significant. Two regional workshops were held for broad consultation on the draft. The TA's clientele was also satisfied with ADB's performance. The TA was supervised by successive Senior Environment Specialists, who provided timely, consultative and adequate responses on pending issues in implementation. The ability of the TA to generate supplementary funding three times from private sector cofinancing indicated the perceived relevance of TA activities to private sector stakeholders. This additional funding, plus an additional TOR for a pilot project consultant, necessitated two major and two minor changes in scope. The supplemental funding supported the establishment of country networks on AQM and sustainable urban transport (SUT) in the PRC, Nepal, Pakistan, and Viet Nam, and strengthening of AQM capacity of these networks. Evaluation of Outputs and Achievement of Outcome Despite increasing economic activities, air quality level in Asian cities slightly improved, based on the formulation and implementation of AQM policies. The target outcome of strengthening AQM in Asia was achieved through an improved knowledge base, strategy formulation at the local and national levels, and regional dialogue. The www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia website contributed to decision makers better understanding of air pollution issues in Asia. The website is one of the most comprehensive and widely used websites on air quality in Asia, with over 4,000 documents online and receives an average of 20,000 visits monthly. The level of awareness of Asian decision makers has also increased as a result of dissemination of the analysis of health impact studies produced by the Health Effects Institute and their participation in at least 15 regional and national AQM workshops, including the BAQ workshops in 2004 and 2006, supported by the TA. The TA generated important reports and publications such as the (a) Strategic Framework for Air Quality Management in Asia (2004), (b) Urban Air Pollution in Asian Cities: Status, Challenges and Management (2006), (c) Sustainable Urban Transport in Asia: Making the Vision a Reality (2006), (d) Compendium of Air Quality Projects and Programs (1st edition, 2004; 2nd edition, 2005; and 3rd edition, 2006), (e) Final Report on the Project to Enhance Vehicle Emission Control in Urumqi through and Improved On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System (2008), and (f) A Road Map for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Asia (2008). Country networksmulti-sector groups which promote better AQM in their countrieshave been established in the PRC, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam. These country networks have worked with governments, civil society and academic organizations to formulate annual work plans which address AQM issues in their countries. AQM strategies were formulated for Pakistan in 2004 and for Surabaya, Indonesia in 2006. A media strategy and action plan was formulated for Sri Lanka in 2007. Regional cooperation on AQM was strengthened through regional dialogues including: (i) the First Governmental Meeting on Urban Air Quality in Asia held in Yogyakarta in December 2006 which produced a draft long-term vision for urban air quality in Asia, (ii) Dialogue for Cleaner Fuels in Asia which has resulted in the development of the Road Map for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Asia, and (iii) representation by CAI-Asia of AQM Initiatives in Asia in the Global Atmospheric Pollution Forum and in the UNEP/WHO Technical Working Group on Environment and Health. Overall Assessment and Rating The TA was successful. The TA was relevant, as it was an appropriate response to a set of development concerns of high priority in the region. The TA was effective in substantially delivering the intended outputs and outcome. The longer than anticipated implementation schedule did not affect the benefits achieved. The TA outputs were widely disseminated through electronic and printed media. The outcome of the TA, including the website, will be sustained by the CAI-Asia Center, established in 2007 with the mission to improve air quality levels in Asian cities. Also, many national governments in the covered countries have passed or are in the process of formulating policies and strategies in line with AQM (e.g., an administrative order has been issued by the Philippine President to formulate an Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) strategy for the country). At the regional level, there is commitment to sustain the gains of the previous BAQ, the objectives of which are supported by the TA. Increased awareness on curtailing air pollution still needs to be bolstered to eventually meet WHO guidelines for ambient air quality. Major Lessons (i) Timely responses to pending issues during implementation contribute to the success of TA projects, and (ii) Implementation schedules for TA projects should be realistic and attainable. Recommendations and Follow-Up Actions ADB needs to further update and disseminate AQM knowledge products. It will be carried out through TA6510. Prepared by: Masami Tsuji Designation: Senior Environment Specialist