In order to improve air quality monitoring in Georgia, another project was implemented.
Environmental pollution monitoring
The National Environment Agency of the Ministry of Environmental protection and Agriculture is actively working to improve monitoring of air quality in the country.
The project "Improving Air Quality Management Capacities in Georgia", implemented within the framework of the UNDP Governance Reform Fund (UNDP-GRF) project, with the support of the Swedish Government, has been completed.
An online event was held to summarize the results of the project, which was attended by Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili and UNDP Resident Representative Louise Winton.
With the support of the United Nations Development Program, the National Environment Agency has introduced new air quality monitoring standards in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi and Batumi.
Monitoring is carried out through eight automated stations that collect data on air pollutants 24 hours a day. The data is available on the online portal www.air.gov.ge.
It is important that, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), technical instructions for their monitoring services are developed and staff of the National Environment Agency is trained to ensure the smooth and continuous operation of the monitoring stations.
The Agency has also developed appropriate legislative and systemic mechanisms through which it is possible to bring Georgia's policies and practices in line with the requirements of the EU “Clean Air for Europe” Program (CAFE Directive).
These mechanisms include: a data verification and validation system that compares high quality statistics by time intervals and locations; Technical regulation on monitoring criteria and frequency, prepared in accordance with EU directives, and development plan (guide) outlining future steps to improve the air quality monitoring network.
