Mongolia – “Switch Off Air Pollution” project’s effort to reduce air pollution in Ulaanbaatar city

Location: Ulaanbaatar – Mongolia

Language: Mongolian

Voice: Natural

Duration: 00: 05:15

Source: A24

Restrictions: A24 Clients

Dateline: 21-02-2022

Storyline

In its efforts to tackle air pollution , the Switch Off Air Pollution project funded by the EU Swtich Asia program, Abbe Pierre foundation, Czech and French Development agencies has started exploring ingenious ways to address the issue of alarming levels of air pollution, as it was described as “catastrophic” by government officials. Reducing emissions from ger area households, a major source of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, is one of the key measures to reduce fuel consumption and heat loss. Geres International NGO’s “Switch Off Air Pollution” project funded by the EU, has been implemented in Ulaanbaatar since 2018 with local implementing partners – Building energy efficiency center, Mongolian National Construction association NGO and PIN INGO. In the first phase of the project, over 1,500 houses in Ulaanbaatar were insulated to reduce the frequency of coal burning. This saved the environment from 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission and avoided 800 tons of coal burning. The project seeks to cover more ger district households. During the project, the price of insulation material, which was imported, increased due to a shortage supply. The project also offers locally produced insulation materials such as sheep wool insulation

Shotlists

(SOUNDBITE): B. Amarzaya, a citizen of 16th Khoroo of Bayanzurkh district

“We have participated in the “Heating Solution” project and insulated our house. In the past, our house was very cold in the winter. We had turned to heat, as it was necessary, burning coal 5-6 times a day and having two stones on at the same time. After joining the project and insulating our house, we have started burning coal only once a day. It is very economical. We used to heat it [the house] 6 times, but now we heat it once, so we live in a very economical and comfortable environment. In the past, our children often caught a cold because the house was cold. I would like to thank the project team very much.”

(SOUNDBITE): B. Munkhbayar, Director of the Construction Energy Saving Center at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology

“In the first phase of the project, we surveyed the type of houses available in Mongolia. It was evaluated and insulation technologies and solutions were developed. At that time, the main insulation materials used in the construction market were construction foam and mineral wool. Because of Covid, there were problems with supply and transportation. In particular, it was the main raw material for China. construction foam was the cheapest insulation material before the border was closed. However, when there was a shortage of construction materials, the price of construction foam tripled. Because of the hike, it was necessary to look for other types of materials. In terms of construction materials, some were imported from China and some from Russia. Therefore, there is an opportunity to import more quality products from Russia. On the other hand, there are conditions for domestic products to enter the market. The biggest example of this is sheep wool insulation. In the past, sheep wool was not used due to its high cost. In today’s situation, sheep wool insulation has become one of the most viable options.”

(SOUNDBITE): Quentin Moreau Geres International NGO, Central Asia Director

“So, the next phase of the project will officially start this spring. We look at scaling up market solutions based on larger loan schemes and credit lines to eventually achieve a proper system. We look at Ulaanbaatar in terms of geography, but we want to replicate and see what we can replicate in a province capital. And then, we will want also to continue our simple solution campaigns to communities and use these as tools for advocacy for public policies.”

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