Madagascar – Establishing a Clean Air Center: Strengthening Governance, Monitoring, and Regional Collaboration for SLCP Mitigation and Air Quality Management

RATIONALE

This project responds to the request by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar, to champion the Africa Clean Air Programme. The project will support the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) countries in laying the foundation for a Regional Clean Air Center. It will strengthen national regulatory frameworks, enhance data systems, and support the development of air quality, climate and sustainable development plans. Recognizing the growing challenge of air pollution and climate impacts of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), the project will provide tailored regulatory recommendations for each IOC country, developed through stakeholder engagement and aligned with regional harmonization opportunities. A key objective is to foster institutional readiness and build the technical and governance infrastructure necessary for long-term SLCP mitigation and air quality management.

Another core objective is to secure political and financial backing for the Clean Air Center in the OIC and member states. This includes assessing investment needs, identifying potential hosting arrangements across IOC countries, and developing fundable project proposals for air quality monitoring and management. These actions will enable countries to move from strategy to implementation, leveraging national efforts and broader regional commitments under the ACAP. By the end of the project, the IOC region will have a clear roadmap, technical proposals, and financing strategy to launch a robust, regionally coordinated self-sustaining clean air management mechanism.

The project aligns with Madagascar's vision for green diplomacy (2024–2030), aimed at solidifying the country's leadership within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the IOC regions. The project seeks to support the vision of the Africa Clean Air Programme (ACAP) and underlying mandates (UNEA-6/10 resolution, AMCEN decision 18/4, AUC STC) across SADC and IOC nations, with Madagascar assuming the presidency of both organizations in 2025.

More information on Madagascar’s work on short-lived climate pollutants can be found on their Partner Page.  

Activities

Outcome 1: The Governments of the IOC have strengthened regulatory frameworks for air quality management by the end of the project or soon after

Indicator: Number of laws, regulations, standards or other policy mechanisms with air pollutants and SLCP targets or mitigation measures proposed.  

• Output 1.1: Recommendations for regulatory actions for clean air in each country to be framed in the context of harmonization and collaboration amongst the IOC region countries.  

• Output 1.2: Stakeholder consultations with national entities to develop and endorse recommendations for strengthening the regulatory frameworks for clean air.

• Output 1.3: Data and information management system established to inform and monitor regulatory actions and enhancements needed over the long-term for the IOC. 

• Output 1.4: Training programs conducted for IOC governments on air quality data collection, analysis, and application in policy and planning.

Outcome 2: An IOC Center for Clean Air is set up and IOC governments secure political and financial support for its long-term operation by the end of the project or soon after. 

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with air pollutants and SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented

• Output 2.1: IOC Center for Clean Air designed and endorsed by IOC as a regional mechanism for air quality leadership, science-policy advice and coordination. This should include at the minimum:

  • Identify and engage relevant national stakeholders including universities, research organizations, air quality monitoring services, government entities
  • Assess existing national and regional capabilities for air quality management and gaps in technical knowledge and institutional arrangements to be addressed by the center
  • Develop the institutional and governance structure of the center
  • Leverage political support on a national and regional level from IOC for setting up and operating the center
  • Develop services to be provided by the centre including:
  • Supports the development of robust air quality monitoring and analysis systems
  • Strengthens regional capacity in air quality management
  • Facilitates evidence-based policy and action plan development
  • Supports implementation of effective air quality improvement measures
  • Evaluates intervention impacts and shares knowledge gained
  • Sustainable financing and resource mobilization plan.
  • Regional awareness raising and communication strategy.

Outcome 3: The IOC endorses project proposals/initiatives for enhancing air quality management (e.g. expanding air quality monitoring, strengthening legal and regulatory framework, introducing national ambient air quality standards, national strategy for clean air, developing mitigation policies for key emitting sectors, awareness raising efforts) for submission to public and private funding sources by the end of the project.

Indicator: Amount of external funding (“catalysed funding”) for clean air and SLCP actions  

• Output 3.1: Drafting of at least 5-7 appropriate projects/initiatives.

• Output 3.2: Stakeholders convened and engaged on selection of at least 3 projects/ initiatives to identify financial opportunities.

• Output 3.3: Design a plan to support three selected projects in coordination with public and private institutions. This plan should include the identification for financial opportunities.

• Output 3.4: Workshop delivered to key stakeholders, from the financial sector, local and national governments, private sector to identify ways to make financial instruments available to finance air quality management projects.

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