A long-term multi-lateral cooperation network for East Asian cities committed to tackling air pollution.
According to the World Health Organization, over 80% of urban residents are exposed to air pollution levels that exceed its limits, and around 7 million people died — one in eight global deaths — as a result of air pollution exposure. The finding confirms that air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk.
East Asia has become one of the most affected regions in the world due to continuous growth of air pollutants emission caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization. Many provincial and city governments have committed to the fight against air pollution in protecting the health and wellbeing of people.
In response to the urgent need for air quality improvement in the region, local governments from China, Korea, Japan and Mongolia jointly announced the initiative East Asia Clean Air Cities (EACAC) in 2016, as a regional partnership platform to foster effective and regular knowledge exchange between local governments in the region, and promote clean air actions via city-to-city partnership.
Managed by the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, EACAC has built up a network of 10 local governments and 12 partners. A series of events, activities and research projects have been carried out under EACAC.
Objectives
EACAC is designated to
Act as a local government cooperation mechanism for knowledge exchange on air quality improvement;
Assist East Asian local governments to access solutions and build local capacity to address air pollution;
Support the synergy of air quality and climate actions in local governments’ policy-making processes;
Provide best practice policies towards which cities may contribute, track progress, and receive support.
Activities
Through joint study, annual forums, capacity building activities and producing publications, EACAC supports members to
Demonstrate ambitions to continuously improving air quality;
Exchange qualitative and quantitative information on progresses, policies, technical experience, and best practices with peers;
Regularly participate in gatherings in forms of international forum, training, and study tour.
For more information, please contact Mr. Merlin Lao at merlin.lao@iclei.org
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