How Mongolia's Air Became Polluted

Mongolia is a country located in East Asia, with a history of nomadic rule and a current democratic, multi-party system. The country has seen large amounts of development, particularly in its capital, Ulaanbaatar, resulting in significant rural-urban migration. This has led to a rapid increase in unplanned settlements and a corresponding rise in air, water, and soil pollution. Mongolia's mining industry, notably gold mining, has contributed to water pollution, with inefficient water usage and weak site monitoring. However, the primary source of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is the burning of coal and biomass in ger districts, which are informal settlements where nomadic herders have settled. The cold winters in Mongolia, with temperatures averaging below 0 from November to March, increase the reliance on coal for heating, contributing to air pollution. UNICEF has warned of a child health crisis due to the toxic air, with respiratory infections increasing by 270% over the last decade.

Coal-burning stoves in informal settlements

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The city has seen rapid urbanization, with a population increase from under 500,000 in 1990 to almost 1.5 million today. This growth has resulted in a sharp rise in informal settlements, known as "ger" districts, which now account for over 60% of the city's population. These settlements are made up of traditional dwellings called "gers", which are portable, circular houses made of wood and canvas, insulated with felt.

The main source of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar comes from coal-burning stoves used in these ger districts during the cold season. Winters in Mongolia can be extremely cold, with temperatures dropping to as low as -40 °C. To survive these harsh winters, residents of the ger districts burn coal, which is cheap and burns longer than other fuels. However, this has led to severe air pollution, with smog blanketing the city for much of the winter due to temperature inversion, where warmer air traps cooler air close to the ground.

The impact of this pollution is felt most by the children living in these districts. Studies have shown that children in ger districts have lung capacities 40% smaller than those in the countryside, indicating severe long-term health issues. Schools in these areas have pollution levels far beyond safe limits, with indoor air purifiers being necessary to try and mitigate the issue.

To combat this problem, the Mongolian government has implemented several measures. They have set up a fund to help ger district residents purchase new apartments, with 86 households having moved so far. Additionally, they have committed to providing cleaner processed solid fuels, such as briquettes, to these districts, and plan to ban the burning of raw coal in households, companies, and enterprises, except for those with special licenses. These steps are crucial in improving the air quality in Ulaanbaatar and protecting the health of its residents, especially the vulnerable children.

Rural to urban migration

Mongolia has experienced rapid rural-to-urban migration, driven by economic and climatic changes. The country has witnessed significant population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and transportation development, leading to various environmental challenges.

For centuries, Mongolia was defined by nomadism, with its inhabitants herding livestock between seasonal pastures. However, the proliferation of mining, including illegal sites, has reduced grazing opportunities and caused soil pollution, threatening the traditional nomadic way of life. Climate change has also played a role, with increasing aridity, wind erosion, and the occurrence of "dzud"—a natural disaster combining summer drought and harsh winter—devastating livestock.

As a result, many herders have migrated to urban areas, particularly the capital, Ulaanbaatar, which has seen a sharp increase in informal settlements. Ulaanbaatar's population has almost tripled since 1990, accommodating nearly 1.5 million people, or about half of Mongolia's total population. This rapid urbanization has outpaced the city's infrastructure and services, contributing to air pollution.

The influx of rural migrants to Ulaanbaatar has resulted in a surge in the use of coal-burning stoves for heating and cooking, particularly in the "ger" districts, which are informal settlements. Coal is essential for surviving Mongolia's harsh winters, but it is also a major contributor to air pollution. The high concentration of particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, poses significant health risks, especially to children.

To address air pollution, the Mongolian government has implemented various measures, including a coal-burning ban in Ulaanbaatar, rehousing ger district residents in apartments with central heating, and offering subsidies for less-polluting stoves. However, these efforts have faced challenges due to the lack of infrastructure in some areas and insufficient research capacity to fully understand the scope of the problem.

Poorly regulated mining industry

Mongolia's mining industry has been a major contributor to its economy over the last few decades. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Mongolian government implemented policies that allowed the mining industry to operate with relatively minimal regulations to encourage economic growth. The new Mineral Law of 1997 further liberalized the industry by making it easier to obtain a mining license and allowing foreign ownership of mining enterprises. As a result, mining, particularly gold mining, has experienced significant growth. From 1991 to 2001, gold production increased by a factor of 17.

However, this rapid expansion of mining activities has had detrimental effects on the environment. Mining has been linked to water pollution issues and land degradation in Mongolia. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 77% of Mongolian land is classified as degraded or desertified, with mining and irresponsible land use being contributing factors. The intensive release of mining licenses and the expansion of both large-scale and small-scale mining operations have accelerated environmental degradation.

In addition to water and soil pollution, mining activities also contribute to air pollution in Mongolia. Coal combustion, a common practice in the mining industry, releases metal(loid)s into the atmosphere and is considered a primary source of contamination in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. The burning of coal in traditional stoves used by nomadic herders and residents of informal settlements also contributes to elevated levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter in the air.

The government's focus on economic growth through the mining industry has led to a lack of regulation and inadequate environmental protection measures. This has resulted in increased air pollution levels, particularly in Ulaanbaatar, which is considered one of the most polluted capitals in the world. On the coldest days, the daily average of PM2.5 pollution levels in Ulaanbaatar reaches 687 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding the World Health Organization's safe levels.

To address the air pollution caused by the poorly regulated mining industry and other factors, concrete efforts are needed to improve urban planning and environmental management in Mongolia. Providing better services to the ger districts, which are heavily affected by pollution, is essential. Additionally, transitioning towards renewable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions can help mitigate the severe air quality issues in the country.

Vehicle and industrial emissions

Mongolia has been facing air pollution due to vehicle and industrial emissions. The capital city of Ulaanbaatar, in particular, has been facing severe air pollution, with concentrations almost six times higher than the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines. This has been attributed to the emissions from vehicles, power plants, and industrial activities.

Vehicle emissions have significantly contributed to air pollution in Mongolia, especially in Ulaanbaatar. The number of vehicles in the city has increased rapidly, with a more than doubling between 1995 and 2002. Approximately 80% of the vehicles in Ulaanbaatar do not meet emission or fuel efficiency standards, resulting in an additional 70 tons of pollutants being released into the air each year. The rise in automobiles has also led to increasing levels of nitrogen dioxide, a harmful pollutant released directly from car and truck engines. During winter, the three diesel power plants in Ulaanbaatar release millions of cubic meters of gaseous pollutants, further exacerbating the issue.

Industrial emissions have also played a significant role in Mongolia's air pollution. The country's mining industry, for example, has been linked to water pollution due to the discharge of untreated and semi-treated industrial waste. Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels and coal in power plants contributes to the emission of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

To combat vehicle emissions, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised implementing measures to reduce traffic congestion and the need for motorized transport. This includes creating green areas and relocating offices and commercial spaces to be more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. Furthermore, the Mongolian government has been working to reduce emissions from coal-fired heating and cooking stoves, providing subsidies for refined coal briquettes, and distributing low-emission stoves with support from organizations like the World Bank.

To address industrial emissions, Mongolia has taken several initiatives. They have joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), committing to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The country's revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aims for a 22.7% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, which is expected to result in lower emissions of key air pollutants and short-lived climate pollutants. Additionally, the implementation of carbon credit mechanisms in Ulaanbaatar incentivizes renewable energy production and reduces carbon emissions, helping to mitigate the city's severe air quality issues.

Lack of government planning

Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The air pollution in the city is caused by emissions from vehicles, power plants, gers, and other industrial activities. The city's rapid urbanization has led to unplanned settlements and increased air, water, and soil pollution. This has resulted in a lack of proper infrastructure and services, particularly in the ger districts, which has exacerbated the pollution problem.

The Mongolian government's failure to address the mass migration to the capital and plan for the resulting population increase has been a significant contributor to the country's air pollution crisis. The lack of government planning has led to inadequate infrastructure development, including the lack of proper roads, transportation systems, and energy sources, which has further contributed to the pollution levels.

The government has also failed to enforce environmental regulations and address the issues caused by the mining industry, which has been identified as a major source of water pollution in the country. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Mongolian government initiated policies that allowed the mining industry to operate with minimal regulations to promote economic growth. This lack of regulation has had detrimental effects on the environment, with mining causing pollution in 28 rivers and streams.

Furthermore, the government's response to the air pollution crisis in Ulaanbaatar has been criticized as ineffective. While there have been some efforts to improve the situation, such as the implementation of carbon credit mechanisms and the World Bank-backed project to replace ger stoves with cleaner-burning models, these initiatives have not had a lasting impact. Implementation issues and the continued influx of migrants have hindered progress, and the city's pollution levels remain dangerously high.

The lack of government planning and ineffective response to the air pollution crisis in Mongolia, particularly in Ulaanbaatar, have had significant consequences for the health and well-being of its citizens, especially children. Respiratory infections have increased at an alarming rate, and the high levels of pollution are putting the lives of young children at risk. The government's failure to address this crisis effectively has led to increasing anger and dissatisfaction among the Mongolian people, who are demanding better solutions and accountability from their leaders.

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