CABAR.asia says that over the past 10 years, the amount of harmful emissions has almost doubled in Tajikistan. Transport is reportedly the main source of pollution. The experts believe it is necessary to develop a ‘green’ public transportation.
The analysis of data of the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan (for 2012-2022; data for 2023 has not yet been published – CABAR.asia) reportedly shows that harmful emissions into the atmosphere have increased by 1.8 times over 10 years.
The article notes that during this period, the total volume of harmful emissions amounted to 4526 thousand tons. The main pollution sources are mobile, which account for 88% of total emissions, while stationary sources account for only 12%.
This means that the main air pollution source in Tajikistan is transport. The vehicles emit harmful gas – carbon monoxide – into the atmosphere, which is produced during incomplete burning of fuel.
Mobile sources of pollution include motor vehicles, trucks, buses, motorbikes, agricultural machinery, and other vehicles that emit exhaust gases that pollute the air. The bulk of emissions from these sources are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.
Stationary sources include industrial plants, power plants, factories, greenhouses, and other stationary facilities. These sources emit particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and other substances into the atmosphere.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere cause serious damage to both the environment and human health.
CABAR.asia notes that analysis of 2012-2022 data shows that the region of the country that pollutes the air the most is Sughd province, which accounts for 36% of total emissions. The districts subordinate to the center (RRP) are on second place — 23%, followed by Khatlon province — 22%, Dushanbe — 18%, and the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, or GBAO – 2%.
Data shows that mobile sources of air pollution prevail in Sughd and Khatlon provinces. GBAO stands out especially since there are no stationary sources of pollution. Meanwhile, in districts subordinate to the center and Dushanbe, the share of stationary sources is higher than in other regions.
High emissions in certain regions are more likely to be associated with high population densities, heavy traffic, and industrial activity. Economic development of regions is often accompanied by an increase in the number of vehicles and industrial enterprises, which leads to an increase in air pollution.
Local experts note that to improve the situation, it is necessary to create an effective system for air quality monitoring by expanding the network of modern stations, creating a high-quality register of emissions, and regulating Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MACs) for key air pollutants in compliance with WHO recommendations.
According to them, it is also necessary to develop specific plans for a phased reduction of both the total volume of emissions into the atmosphere and the most dangerous pollutants for each most polluting facility.
To improve the environmental situation in the country it is reportedly also necessary to launch an effective public transportation system, increasing the number of green areas in cities, switching to renewable energy sources, launching mandatory programs to improve energy efficiency, as well as organizing separate collection and recycling of waste, and supporting environmental initiatives such as bicycle transport.
According to the experts, the transition to electric vehicles could potentially help reduce emissions into the atmosphere but it would be more effective to develop a ‘green’ public transportation system.
