International perspectives

International Perspectives on Air Quality - Risk Management Principles for Policy Development

This journal paper contains a statement which is the result of discussions held at the 2005 NERAM IV Colloquium “International Perspectives on Air Quality: Risk Management Principles for Policy Development” and represents the collective views of 35 delegates, including international air quality policy analysts, academics, nongovernmental organizations, industry representatives, and decision makers from Mexico, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands on the identification of international best practice in air quality policy development and implementation and on principles for global air quality management.

Statement summary

Objectives of Air Quality Management

• Air quality management policies and strategies should be set to maximize net benefits to society, consistent with maintaining a reasonable degree of fairness.
• Ongoing systematic efforts to reduce exposures should be taken until further reductions are not justifiable and efficient for cost-benefit reasons and societal support. Hot spots and geographical differences in air quality need to be identified and taken into account in exposure reduction strategies.

Approaches to Global Air Quality Management

• To achieve national level air quality targets, air quality management activities at the local, regional, and national level need to be integrated in order to achieve maximum effectiveness.
• A long-term strategic international perspective on air quality management, with technical capacity and policy development support, is essential to achieve success at the global level.
• Policy tools and strategies exist to reduce high levels of air pollution and health impacts. Demonstrations of success can be found in various regions of the world. Nevertheless, the problems, particularly in developing countries, are sufficiently formidable that continuing efforts are needed to identify and demonstrate innovative approaches while at the same time solidifying the application of sound decision principles and best practice.

Decision-Making Principles

• In locations where air quality is poor and studies to characterize sources and impacts are in their infancy, uncertainties in the science should not delay the implementation of strategies to improve air quality.
• All policy options (emission fees, emissions trading, voluntary programs, mandatory standards, etc.) should be considered, including technological approaches and non-technological community-based behavioral solutions. There is a need for an international database of policy intervention case studies, including policy successes and failures.

Tools and Capacities for Decision Making

• Communication and consultation through an open and transparent multi-stakeholder process are important for establishing trust and support for air quality management decisions.
• Emissions inventories and monitoring networks need to be maintained and expanded as a basis for evaluating air quality on an ongoing basis. Emissions and monitoring data should be made publicly available.
• While improvements in institutional capacity in developing countries are undeniable, further improvements are needed to enhance the institutional capacity to carry out and enforce air quality policy.