Urban environments are where people and pollution come together and require a concerted approach to mitigate exposure and health impacts. Many of the most rapidly growing urban areas in developing countries have limited data, resources and capacity, but significant health and climate impacts from air pollution.

Since early 2018, with funding from the Department of State, the Addis Ababa Environmental Protection and Green Development Commission (AAEPGDC) has been working with the U.S. EPA and the United Nations Environment Programme to develop a plan to reduce air pollution in Addis Ababa. The project applies a framework developed within the Megacities Partnership in Accra, Ghana, modified to meet the needs of the Addis Ababa city government.

The AAEPGDC has developed a draft integrated air quality management plan, which they hope to finalize this year. As part of this plan, they have identified priority programs to reduce air pollution emissions. Staff from AAEPGDC and other stakeholders have been learning how to conduct health benefits assessment and develop strategies to improve public health. The goal is to create a sustainable policy environment in which AAEPGDC can undertake ongoing environmental planning and serve as regional experts, providing peer-to-peer support for other countries.

https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/epa-collaboration-sub-saharan-africa#aq