Zimbabwe - Strengthen Zimbabwe's air quality standards and regulations

RATIONALE

This project responds to a request made by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife to review and update the country’s air quality standards and regulatory frameworks. This project addresses a critical data and policy gap in Zimbabwe’s air quality management system by generating scientifically validated baseline data on air pollutants and short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), including PM10, PM2.5, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone. Zimbabwe’s current air quality standards, adopted in 2015 and based on previous interim WHO targets, are outdated and no longer reflect current scientific guidance or local realities. Regulatory instruments, particularly Statutory Instrument 72 of 2009, have become increasingly ineffective due to changes in industrial activity and urban development, compounded by a lack of robust emissions data. This initiative seeks to modernize air quality standards, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and improve institutional capacity for monitoring and mitigating air pollution and SLCPs, thereby contributing to both climate and public health objectives.

Albeit Zimbabwe having an updated GHG emissions inventory under the BTR1 submitted to the UNFCCC in December 2024 and as part of its 5th National Communications, data gaps still remain in the level of reporting. Zimbabwe does not have an updated inventory of air pollutants outside the GHGs reported under the BTR. The Environmental Management Agency annually produces a database of licensed air pollution sources which cannot be taken as an updated air pollutants inventory since the country is largely characterized by informal (unregulated) activities that emit air pollutants.

The overarching goal is to reinforce Zimbabwe’s air quality management system to reduce pollution, mitigate SLCPs, and support national climate goals. The project outcomes will lead to:

• Implementation of a comprehensive national air quality and SLCP assessment to establish baseline data and guide the revision of standards and regulations in line with updated WHO guidelines and local needs.
• Enhance the technical and institutional capacity of key government agencies, including the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Climate Change Management Department (CCMD), for effective monitoring, analysis, and regulation.  
• Integrate SLCPs—especially black carbon and ozone—into Zimbabwe’s greenhouse gas Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement, enabling more accurate and transparent reporting.

Over the past decade, Zimbabwe has experienced rapid industrialization and urban growth, leading to worsening air pollution—particularly in urban centres. However, the country still lacks a continuous, validated air quality monitoring system to effectively track and respond to these trends. This project aims to bridge that gap by establishing a nationwide baseline for key pollutants, forming the scientific basis for revising air quality laws and regulations, based on data gathering from a few strata that geographically/economically represent the nation. Previous efforts, such as the IAEA-RAF7016 regional initiative, sought to on establishing air pollution monitoring infrastructure in Africa, and although implementation challenges limited full equipment deployment, Zimbabwe did acquire instruments for black carbon measurement. This project will build on that foundation and available equipment for air pollution and emission source monitoring by enhancing Zimbabwe’s existing air quality monitoring capacity and supporting regulatory reforms—ensuring that Zimbabwe can monitor air quality more effectively, enforce standards, and shape evidence-based environmental policy.

Zimbabwe has already submitted its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) and is working to increase ambition in its upcoming NDC 3.0 by integrating SLCP mitigation. The EMA, with support from national ministries and stakeholders, will lead implementation.  

Where relevant, this project should leverage the CCAC Air Quality Management Exchange (AQMx) Platform as well as the Africa Clean Air Programme including through use of tailored guidance and resource library.  

Activities

Outcome 1: The Government of Zimbabwe has enhanced Institutional and Technical Capacity for Air Quality Management and SLCP Management in Zimbabwe by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

• Output 1.1: National baseline data on air quality and SLCPs (PM10, PM2.5, BC, NO2, O3) through ambient air monitoring and analysis. The baseline data collection/assessment should include:  
  • An integrated emissions inventory for PM10, PM2.5, CO, NOx, SO2 and VOCs emission sources  
  • Assessment of PM10, PM2.5, CO, NO2, SO2 and O3 ambient concentrations in selected areas that represent the country's varied geographical and economic regions (Stratified sampling of atmospheric pollution), using existing ground monitoring stations (low-cost sensors calibrated with reference monitors) coupled with remote sensing satellite data.
• Output 1.2: National and sub-national government staff, including EMA and CCMD, trained in air quality and SLCP monitoring, data analysis, and reporting.
• Output 1.3: Workshop with policymakers and technical stakeholders for the dissemination of findings  
• Output 1.4: Policy briefs on the findings of output 1.1 and 1.3

Outcome 2: The Government of Zimbabwe adopts updated and strengthened Air Quality Standards and Regulations by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of plans, policies, laws, or regulations drafted or updated  

• Output 2.1: Draft revised national air quality standards based on natbased on natbased on natiooonalalal bbbaseseseline data, aiminne data, aiminne data, aiming for alig for alig for alignment with WHO guidelines and interim targets.
• Output 2.2: Regulatory review conducted for SI 72 of 2009, with recommendations for modernized atmospheric pollution control.
• Output 2.3: Policy briefs and recommendations submitted to government for adoption of revised national emission standards and regulations.

Outcome 3: The Government of Zimbabwe develops a National Air Quality Monitoring system providing Reliable Data for reporting and decision making by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of SLCP mitigation tools, technologies, or practices adopted

• Output 3.1: Design and deploy an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network that integrates monitoring equipment recently acquired by EMA and monitoring equipment received under IAEA-RAF7016, at selected region that represents the country's varied geographical and economic regions (Stratified sampling of atmospheric pollution)
• Output 3.2: Develop technical capacity for real-time data collection, management, and reporting system operationalized for continuous air quality and SLCP tracking.
• Output 3.3: National air quality database developed and managed by EMA with public access features to promote transparency.

Outcome 4: Strengthened Public and Stakeholder Engagement on Air Pollution and SLCPs through awareness raising campaigns by the end of the project

Indicator: Number of partnerships, associations, or campaigns launched to drive SLCP action  

• Output 4.1: Awareness campaigns implemented in urban centers to increase public understanding of air pollution and SLCPs.
• Output 4.2: Educational toolkits, digital content, and outreach materials developed and shared with schools, health institutions, and civil society.
• Output 4.3: Multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms convened to encourage co-development of air quality solutions. 

Reference number: [ZB-25-003] Zimbabwe - Strengthen Zimbabwe's air quality standards and regulations