Argentina - Advance implementation of priority measures within the framework of Argentina's Resolution 1327/2014 "Intergovernmental Regional Air Pollution Action Plan

Rationale

Argentina needs to update its air quality management policies and national regulatory framework. The National Action Plan, whose implementation was assigned, by Resol. MAyDS 537/2022, to a government area, is based on the Regional Action Plan for Intergovernmental Cooperation on Air Pollution for Latin America and the Caribbean (Resol. SAyDS 1327/2014) and proposes to move forward along this path. 

This project will deliver a regionalized national inventory of SLCP and an analysis of mitigation measures for different socioeconomic sectors of the country, and also an initiative for the development of federal air pollution monitoring with dual effect, both health and climate. The project contemplates the measurement of particulate matter, black carbon and methane emissions for technologies applied to transportation and also, of some of these pollutants in urban ambient air. 

Accordingly, this proposal is based on studies designed by institutions of the national scientific and technical sector with great worldwide prestige and plans the use of technological infrastructure available or under development in the country that can be validated with experiences in neighbouring countries such as Chile, and complemented by measurements with low-cost sensors, which we understand has a high potential to meet the goals and is suitable cost/benefit solution as well as scalable.

Objectives

This project aims to:

1. Develop regionalized SLCP Inventory and Mitigation Measures Contemplated in the NDCs.

2.  Propose a Federal Air Pollutant Monitoring Infrastructure.

3. Assessment and Proposal for Updating the National Regulatory Framework.

4. PM2.5/ BC monitoring in Buenos Aires. Monitoring campaigns with 
low-cost sensors contrasted against reference monitors.

5. Emission Mitigation Assessment in the Automotive Transportation Sector.

6. Emission Mitigation Assessment in the Industry and Energy Sector.

7. National and provincial government capacity building SLCP inventory.

8.  Capacity building for national and provincial governments on SLPC elimination methodologies.

9. Capacity building to Provincial Governments in Legal and Complementary Alternative Monitoring of SLCP and air pollutants.

10. Capacity building to Provincial Governments on SLCP Emissions Monitoring and Mitigation and Normative Framework.

Project Reference: [AR-23-004] Argentina   Advance implementation of priority measures within the framework of Argentina's Resolution 1327/2014 "Intergovernmental Regional Air Pollution Action Plan"

Project Updates

Launch event

On June 17, 2025, AIDIS Argentina held a technical session focused on monitoring, inventory, and control of atmospheric pollution in the country, bringing together public agencies, private-sector representatives, and scientific‑technical experts. Coordinated by the project director in AIDIS, Eng. Eduardo Ortiz, the hybrid event aimed to promote regulatory improvements, strengthen pollutant inventories, and support mitigation measures that contribute to enhancing air quality at the national level.

The opening session featured authorities from AIDIS Argentina, representatives from the National Secretariat of Environment, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). During the launch of the project “Advance implementation of priority measures within the framework of Argentina’s Resolution 1327/2014,” speakers emphasized the need to advance toward standardized regulatory criteria and reinforce institutional coordination. The CCAC‑UNEP highlighted the importance of broad engagement from public institutions and private companies to support environmental commitments and drive the transition toward cleaner and more efficient technologies in Argentina.

The event was opened by the President of AIDIS Argentina, Rosalba Sarafian, together with the National Undersecretary of Environment, Fernando Jorge Brom; Candela Nassi, National Director of Environmental Assessment and Control; Luisa González Herrera, CCAC Coordinator; and Eng. Eduardo Ortiz, Technical Coordinator. Throughout the day, presentations were given by representatives from ACUMAR, AIDIS Argentina, AIRFLUX Chile, APRA, CNEA, CONICET‑UBA, CONICET‑UTN, Sustainable Development of Chubut, ENARGAS, IAPG, IVECO, SCANIA, the Secretariat of Industry, the Undersecretariat of Environment, Toyota, and YPF.

More info on the AIDIS Argentina website for this event 

Sensor installation

In October 2025, as part of the CCAC‑funded project “Advance implementation of priority measures within the framework of Argentina’s Resolution 1327/2014 – Intergovernmental Regional Air Pollution Action Plan,” low‑cost air quality sensors were installed at monitoring stations operated by the City of Buenos Aires—located on Avenida Córdoba and in Parque Centenario—as well as at the Ezeiza and La Matanza stations managed by the Matanza‑Riachuelo Basin Authority (ACUMAR). The activity brought together specialists from APRA, ACUMAR, the company Airflux (responsible for equipment installation), technical consultants from AIDIS Argentina, and air‑quality and vehicle‑emissions experts from the National Undersecretariat of Environment. This initiative is part of broader joint efforts to strengthen air pollution monitoring, improve data quality, and advance the implementation of priority actions to enhance air quality management in Argentina.

More info on the AIDIS Argentina press note

Air quality data (Developed AirFlux for the Project AIDIS - CCAC - 2025)

International Training Workshop on Methane Emissions Monitoring (IMEO–UNEP/UCLA)

On October 6-8, 2025, the “International Training Workshop on Methane Emissions Monitoring – IMEO‑UNEP/UCLA” was held in a hybrid format in the province of Neuquén, combining in‑person and virtual sessions. The objective was to strengthen technical capacities and promote the exchange of experiences related to the management, measurement, monitoring, and mitigation of methane emissions in the oil and gas sector.

AIDIS project team actively participated in the technical sessions, discussion spaces, and exchanges on regulatory frameworks, available technologies, and implementation challenges at both national and subnational levels. In particular, Enrique Puliafito presented and described the activities carried out within the project “Argentina’s Resolution 1327/2014 – Intergovernmental Regional Air Pollution Action Plan”, outlining its objectives, progress, and main areas of work. Julio Vasallo participated on behalf of the National Undersecretariat of Environment, contributing to discussions on public policy, environmental regulation, and actions aimed at reducing methane emissions. The joint participation of the different stakeholders enriched the debate and strengthened inter‑institutional coordination.               

Event summary 

IMEO-UNEP website

XXIII AIDIS Argentine Congress on Sanitary and Environmental Engineering – Panel session of the CCAC project

The panel of the CCAC-UNEP Project AR-23-004, organized by AIDIS Argentina, was held on 18 May 2026 during the XXIII AIDIS Argentine Congress on Sanitary and Environmental Engineering in Córdoba. Under the theme “Inventory, Monitoring and Mitigation of Air Pollutants: Proposals for Advancing Air Quality Legislation in Argentina,” the session brought together leading experts, government representatives, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss key actions for strengthening air quality management in Argentina. The congress attracted more than 1,600 participants from across the country and served as a strategic platform to showcase the project's progress and its contribution to both public health and climate action.

A central topic of the panel was the urgent need to modernize Argentina’s air quality framework. Speakers highlighted that the current national standards, established under Law 20,284 in 1973, no longer reflect current scientific knowledge, technological capabilities, or environmental challenges. Project experts presented ongoing work toward the development of a new national framework law on atmospheric protection and air quality, aimed at improving prevention, monitoring, enforcement, and incentives for cleaner technologies. The discussions emphasized the importance of integrating public institutions, academia, and the private sector to strengthen environmental governance and achieve measurable health and climate benefits.

The panel also presented important advances in air quality monitoring and emissions inventories. Researchers shared preliminary results from a monitoring campaign in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area using complementary networks of low-cost sensors and Black Carbon monitoring equipment. Early findings demonstrate the potential of these technologies to expand air quality monitoring coverage and improve understanding of pollution sources. In addition, the project introduced the first national inventory of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) consistent with Argentina’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, providing critical information on pollutants such as methane, black carbon, ozone precursors, and particulate matter. This new tool will support more effective mitigation strategies while highlighting the co-benefits for climate protection and public health.

The final presentations focused on national vehicle emission regulations and pathways to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. Results from studies conducted under the AIDIS-CCAC project showed that modern diesel and diesel-CNG technologies equipped with particulate filters can reduce particulate matter and black carbon emissions by more than 97% compared with older vehicle technologies, while electric vehicles offer the strongest greenhouse gas reduction performance. Overall, the panel demonstrated the project's significant contribution to advancing scientific knowledge, strengthening monitoring capacities, supporting evidence-based policymaking, and promoting integrated solutions to improve air quality and mitigate short-lived climate pollutants in Argentina.

More information about the event: https://prensa.cba.gov.ar/informacion-general/con-gran-convocatoria-cordoba-fue-sede-del-xxiii-congreso-argentino-de-ingenieria-sanitaria-y-ambiental/

More info (YouTube channel – Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Services):

Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwscFe1Mf8s

Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85TPd1atWjg

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