21 Atmospheric Pollution: Experience from Mexico City …
137
Questions and Answers
Questioner: Arlene Fiore
Question: Have there been specific policy actions addressing long-lived greenhouse
gases (i.e. CO 2 ) in addition to synergistic efforts that also address air pollution (e.g.,
BC)?
Answer: In addition to implementing air quality management programs, the Government of Mexico City has also taken actions to mitigate greenhouse gases since 2000.
Some of the largest emission reduction measures include biogas capture projects and
waste-managements. In the transportation sector, the Metrobus (Bus Rapid Transit)
initiated in 2005 was one of the most highly used lines in the world; it was the first
project to sell emission reductions (CO 2 eq) as part of its financing. These are complemented by fleet renewal projects for taxis and buses (including introduction of
hybrid and electric vehicles). The current Climate Change Action Plans (2014–2020)
aimed to reduce 10 million tons of CO 2 eq of emissions by implementing strategic
programs including renewable energy (e.g., solar panel), energy efficiency programs
for public and private buildings (lighting, heating, etc.). As has been demonstrated in
many cities around the world, many of the climate action plans also have substantial
air quality co-benefits and vice versa. Therefore. it is important to integrate air quality and climate-stabilization goals in the design of environmental policy to realize
potential synergistic benefits.
Questioner: Valerie Garcia
Question: Do you think the availability of low-cost air quality sensors will help with
filling the gap in air quality monitoring?
Answer: Yes, low-cost air quality sensors have become increasingly important, not
only for professional researchers who are using them for air quality monitoring, but
also for citizen scientists who are looking to make measurements in the communities. They are affordable (low-cost) and easy to use. However, there is a need to
ensure that the data generated from these sensors are reliable, accurate and reproducible. There are many commercially available low-cost sensors and several institutions have conducted performance evaluations for some of the sensors, for example,
World Meteorological Organization has prepared an assessment on “Low-cost sensors for the measurement of atmospheric composition: overview of topic and future
applications.”
Acknowledgements The Molina Center is grateful to the Mexican Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources, the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change, and the Mexico City
Environment Secretariat for providing the emissions inventories and the air quality data used in the
modeling study.
137
Questions and Answers
Questioner: Arlene Fiore
Question: Have there been specific policy actions addressing long-lived greenhouse
gases (i.e. CO 2 ) in addition to synergistic efforts that also address air pollution (e.g.,
BC)?
Answer: In addition to implementing air quality management programs, the Government of Mexico City has also taken actions to mitigate greenhouse gases since 2000.
Some of the largest emission reduction measures include biogas capture projects and
waste-managements. In the transportation sector, the Metrobus (Bus Rapid Transit)
initiated in 2005 was one of the most highly used lines in the world; it was the first
project to sell emission reductions (CO 2 eq) as part of its financing. These are complemented by fleet renewal projects for taxis and buses (including introduction of
hybrid and electric vehicles). The current Climate Change Action Plans (2014–2020)
aimed to reduce 10 million tons of CO 2 eq of emissions by implementing strategic
programs including renewable energy (e.g., solar panel), energy efficiency programs
for public and private buildings (lighting, heating, etc.). As has been demonstrated in
many cities around the world, many of the climate action plans also have substantial
air quality co-benefits and vice versa. Therefore. it is important to integrate air quality and climate-stabilization goals in the design of environmental policy to realize
potential synergistic benefits.
Questioner: Valerie Garcia
Question: Do you think the availability of low-cost air quality sensors will help with
filling the gap in air quality monitoring?
Answer: Yes, low-cost air quality sensors have become increasingly important, not
only for professional researchers who are using them for air quality monitoring, but
also for citizen scientists who are looking to make measurements in the communities. They are affordable (low-cost) and easy to use. However, there is a need to
ensure that the data generated from these sensors are reliable, accurate and reproducible. There are many commercially available low-cost sensors and several institutions have conducted performance evaluations for some of the sensors, for example,
World Meteorological Organization has prepared an assessment on “Low-cost sensors for the measurement of atmospheric composition: overview of topic and future
applications.”
Acknowledgements The Molina Center is grateful to the Mexican Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources, the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change, and the Mexico City
Environment Secretariat for providing the emissions inventories and the air quality data used in the
modeling study.