The Global Environment Monitoring System for Air (GEMS Air) of the UN Environment Programme, supports countries to provide quality assured data to keep the state of the world’s air quality under continuous review, develops capacity of member states, provides information and services across the science-policy-public interface and fosters transformation by leveraging the collective knowledge of a global network of partners.
The GEMS Air strategic focus aims to drive transformation in the shortest time possible. As illustrated in figure 6 above, the programme relies on a consortium of expertise from a multitude of stakeholders that can inform on the application of the latest scientific know how. These are strong partnerships at the global, regional and national level covering a wide array of stakeholders from private, public sectors, academia, research institutions, expert groups, civil society and local governments. At the present time, partnerships includes Google, IQAir, NASA, Code for Africa, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Formula-E (host electric car races around the world), UN-Habitat, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Health Organization (WHO), and so on. Each partner offers a comparative advantage that collectively enables transformation.
At the center of our strategy is data science that leverages satellite technology, modelling and analysis capabilities, and ground observations to support services to countries. Critical to scaling our successes:
- is the piloting of projects to test assumptions and identify solution;
- building country ownership and;
- driving investment to see upscaling;
- Elevating the levels of awareness about air pollution
