Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar remains significantly above the set targets. Levels of NOx, PM2.5, and PM10, which increase during the winter months, are considerably higher than both World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation and Mongolian National Standards, the report said.

In March 2017, the Government of Mongolia (GoM) adopted the National Program for Reducing Air and Environment Pollution (NPRAEP). The program is to be implemented in two phases, from 2017 to 2019 and from 2020 to 2025, with the ultimate target of reducing pollution by 80 percent compared with the baseline year of 2016.

Mongolia’s energy policy is also challenged globally by its commitments under the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Some of the recommendations for the short and long term include carbon pricing and the long-term banning of raw coal in favor of renewable energy sources. Accordingly, GoM has banned raw coal consumption from May 15 in some parts of UB, encouraging enhanced coal production.

• Levels of NOx, PM2.5, and PM10, which increase during the winter months, are considerably higher than both World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation

• Government of Mongolia adopted the National Program for Reducing Air and Environment Pollution in March 2017

• The total funding required for NPRAEP is USD 4.1 billion, of which 86 percent will be directly spent on air pollution reduction.

UNDP study addressed that both short-term and long-term goals must be kept in sight with a common goal to make a long-term transition to greater dependence on renewable energy sources. Additionally, ger area redevelopment and housing programs are considered as the key solutions for air pollution reduction in the long term.

The report also warns that air pollution is one of the 10 major risk factors which lead to mortality and disability. The total funding required for NPRAEP is USD 4.1 billion, of which 86 percent will be directly spent on air pollution reduction. However, 80 percent of the funding has not been confirmed yet.