ADB commissions Ricardo study to improve air quality in three cities in China

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has commissioned Ricardo to carry out a major two-year study into improving air quality in three cities in China.

The project will provide detailed evaluation of air quality policy options using Ricardo’s RapidAir air quality modelling system. The project is designed to support the billion dollar investments into improving air quality being made by ADB in north-eastern China.

Until recently, cities of the greater Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region of China were among the highest polluted conurbations in the world. Substantial work is underway to deliver improvements in air quality in the region, but levels remain well above national and international standards. 

Ricardo is working closely with environmental protection officials in three case study cities to investigate further air quality improvement measures. The project draws on Ricardo’s extensive international experience supporting local and national governments to enhance air quality in some of the world’s most challenging city environments. 

Ricardo’s air quality team will use the RapidAir system to perform a detailed cost-benefit analysis and health impact assessment of potential pollution mitigation measures. This will support policy makers to identify the optimum policy mix to improve air quality and population health. This guidance will influence the development of air quality management plans to 2030.

Ricardo’s RapidAir is a state-of-the-art air quality diagnostics and decision support tool that facilitates fast and efficient city-scale air quality modelling and mitigation scenario testing for a range of emission sources and pollutants.

Tim Curtis, Ricardo Energy & Environment’s MD said: “Ricardo is delighted to be working closely with the Asian Development Bank and city environmental protection teams on this strategically important project. We look forward to being at the forefront of air quality policy development in China.”

Ben Grebot, project director for Ricardo Energy & Environment, added, “Environmental Protection officers in north-east China are at the forefront of tackling some of the toughest air pollution problems in the world. The Asian Development Bank’s commitment to investing in air quality improvements enables us to bring our air quality policy and modelling expertise to work alongside the city bureaux and national experts to deliver real air quality benefits.”

Ricardo is working on this project with in-country experts from Tsinghua University and Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning.