SICA Roadmap Strengthens Central America Climate and Clean Air Capacity

Given the cross-border nature of air-pollution and climate change, regional integration and cooperation are crucial actions countries can take to amplify their efforts to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and mitigate global warming.

The Central American Integration System (SICA) serve as the main institutional framework for regional integration in Central America. Until recently, few countries in the region had developed and established strong legislation addressing the interlinkages between climate change, air quality, and health. In 2022 SICA developed a roadmap for the implementation of the Central American Integrated Regional Program on Climate Change, Air Quality and Health (the Roadmap) with CCAC support.

The roadmap benefitted from robust collaboration between The Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD) and The Council of Ministers of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (SE-COMISCA). This strong partnership resulted in active participation and high involvement from all SICA members.

The Roadmap identifies coordinated and sound national air quality management systems, among others, as essential for assessing air pollution health risks and enabling SLCP mitigation in the region.

Together with the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Clean Air Institute, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the CCAC has been supporting the Central America - Achieving Air Quality, Climate, and Health Goals project (the Project) as a follow-up to the development of the roadmap.

This Project advances the Roadmap one important step closer to implementation by establishing a unified legal framework for air quality management across SICA countries, enhancing air quality monitoring networks, and strengthening the capacity of local authorities to implement air quality measures in a coordinated manner.

Initial consultations with representatives from the health and environment ministries of eight countries highlighted common difficulties in inter-ministerial coordinating, which this project successfully addressed. Nevertheless, there remains a need for more universal and consistent mechanisms to effectively respond to both acute and chronic air-pollution concerns.

The Project found that only five countries had air quality standards establishing the minimum concentrations recommended for the protection of public health. Moreover, most countries lacked adequate guides for the design, implementation, operation and surveillance of monitoring programs, including standards for the type and characteristics of the data required for air quality evaluation. 

Besides, the absence of legal frameworks to support air quality monitoring and implementation, significant challenges included insufficient financing and formal training for staff.

In response, Clean Air Institute as the project implementer, first focused on strengthening the network for coordination and communication among all stakeholders. To maintain open dialogue, the project organizes monthly meetings with SICA authorities and implementing partners, and quarterly meetings with country focal points. This approach also addresses concerns about maintaining government agency and autonomy during the process of regional integration.

“Most SICA countries initially worried about losing autonomy in their decision-making by participating in a regional project. However, once they realized that aligning regional data and leveraging expert technical assistance would streamline the process and benefit all stakeholders, we witnessed full engagement,” said Stephanie Montero, Air Quality and Health Expert at the Clean Air Institute.

Implementing the Project within the existing SICA frameworks helps align climate and clean air agendas with political will, fostering coordinated action across sectors such as transport and waste.

Acknowledging sensitivities of national prerogatives and needs, the Project has developed model guidelines for developing air quality legislation that establish minimum standard which countries can tailor to their specific capabilities and requeriments. One outcome of enhanced regional and intra-ministerial collaboration throughout the project is a strengthened commitment to addressing the intersection of climate change, air pollution and public health.

“While the Roadmap provides a foundation for the Council of Ministers to reach consensus on regional actions , we must continue a series of consultations with the countries to collaboratively develop all activities. Climate and air quality action remain top priorities for the Council. This year, cities in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua recorded particle levels significantly exceeding critical thresholds.” said Carlos Alberto Gonzalez, Project Coordinator and Advisor on Environmental Quality Issues at CCAD.

“We have witnessed a rise in the intensity of wildfires in the region throughout the course of this project, underscoring the relevance of our work to the stakeholders involved. This situation has increased the recognition among SICA ministerial teams of the urgent need for improved air quality,” said Montero.

In addition to wildfires, other critical sectors include transport, waste management and household energy. In the transport sector, regional topography, low fuel quality and emissions standards (mostly Euro 4) contribute to significant traffic-related air pollution. Poor public transport and rail infrastructure has led to a large vehicle fleet with no vehicle emissions controls.

For most SICA countries, creating a sound legislative framework involves setting clear air quality standards and developing an air quality monitoring system. The Project assist countries in aligning their PM2.5 air quality standards with interim target 4 from the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines. Additionally, it focuses on creating a regional air quality strategy and providing detail specifications for installing a monitoring station, ranging from basic to advanced setups.

To consolidate the accumulation of air quality management capacity and human resources within the health and environment ministries of SICA countries, the project has also developed an online course on climate, air quality management and health. Co-designed by UNEP and PAHO, this course will be first implemented from July to September 2024 for nearly 50 government officials from SICA countries. Followint this initial rollout, the course will be made available to participants globally.

“Following the assessment of the situation, data collection, and capacity building, securing funding is the next critical step for fully implementing the Roadmap. SICA authorities have prioritized improving air quality and we are optimistic that sufficient funding will be allocated to support ongoing capacity building, and provide the necessary resources for monitoring and controlling key sources of air pollution,” said Montero.