1. A Regional Network using Standardized Monitoring Methodologies
Monitoring sites of EANET are classified as either acid deposition monitoring sites or ecological survey sites. The number of sites in the network has increased from 42 acid deposition monitoring sites in 2001 (the start of the regular EANET monitoring activities) to 61 sites (22 urban, 18 rural, and 21 remote sites) in 2019. As a result of the coordinated efforts of EANET Participating Countries, monitoring of soil and vegetation is now being conducted in 20 areas, and monitoring of inland aquatic environments and catchment is being done in 13 lakes/6 rivers, and 2 sites respectively. All the sites follow a standardized set of methodologies for site selection, sampling and chemical analyses to ensure technical conformity within the network.
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2. Development of High-Quality Datasets
The Network Center for the EANET has established a central data collection system for compiling, storing, and managing the data from the EANET monitoring sites. Since the start of EANET activities, a high-quality dataset has been compiled through activities such as the implementation of QA/QC measures at the national level and the Inter-laboratory Comparison Projects carried out annually. Since 2000, summaries of the monitoring data have been published annually as the Data Report on Acid Deposition in the East Asian Region. The monitoring data is also available on the EANET website.
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3. Periodic Report on the State of Acid Deposition in East Asia (PRSAD)
Periodic Reports on the State of Acid Deposition in East Asia (PRSAD) were published by EANET in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2022 respectively as comprehensive scientific assessment reports describing the outcome of EANET’s monitoring activities.
In 2022, the Fourth Periodic Report on the State of Acid Deposition in East Asia (PRSAD4), prepared by a Drafting Committee composed of members from the 13 EANET Participating Countries, was released. It consists of three parts: Part I: Regional Assessment, Part II: National Assessment, and Part III: Executive Summary. This report is based on the monitoring data from 2000 to 2019 and includes the future directions and possible impacts of air pollution on the atmospheric environment and ecosystems, particularly soil, vegetation, and the inland aquatic environment.
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4. Capacity Building in Participating Countries
The technical capabilities and skills of those involved in managing acid deposition and air pollution in the Participating Countries were significantly enhanced through several EANET activities. Technical missions were dispatched annually to selected Participating Countries to assist in monitoring performance, laboratory operations, data management, and other procedures. Other activities to enhance the skills and knowledge of personnel include national workshops, scientific workshops, individual training courses at the Network Center, and annual expert meetings.
Numerous EANET publications (technical manuals, monitoring guidelines, data publications, QA/QC programs, training materials, etc.) have been disseminated to EANET countries and will continue to be produced to further enhance the capabilities of personnel in monitoring, assessment, and management of acid deposition and air pollution. Most of the publications are available on this EANET website.
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5. Raising Public Awareness
Awareness about acid deposition and air pollution among the general public, and targeted public, is raised through several activities supported by EANET. Over the years, four Reports for Policy Makers were published entitled “Goals, Achievements, and Way Forward”, “Clean Air for Sustainable Future”, “EANET and Clean Air for Sustainable Development”, “Towards Clean Air for Sustainable Future in East Asia through Collaborative Activities”. EANET annually holds regional and national workshops, in partnership with other partners and organizations related to air quality action in the region. Capacity-building workshops and Science and Policy Dialogues are regularly organized, as well as online seminars and webinars on technical knowledge-sharing and specific project activities, which can be viewed on the Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
Country Fact Sheets and a Summary of the Fact Sheets including summarized key data and overviews from each Participating Country are published by the Secretariat and the Network Center for the EANET, in close collaboration with the Participating Countries. The EANET Newsletter has been published biannually since July 2007 to share information on EANET’s activities and other relevant information, and bi-monthly email updates sharing the EANET’s latest updates are sent out to a wide audience every two months.
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6. Joint Research Activities to better understand Acid Deposition Issues
Several scientific research projects on acid deposition, air pollution, and the related effects were conducted by EANET in collaboration with scientists from the Participating Countries. The projects were conducted in countries with diverse natural environments and climatic conditions in the East Asian region to obtain a better understanding of the processes involved.
Since 2005 EANET has implemented a research fellowship program to encourage young scientists from the region to carry out air pollution research activities at the Network Center in Japan. Find out more on the EANET research activities on the Research Portal.
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7. Cooperation Among Countries and with Other Regional Initiatives
Since the start of EANET activities, countries in the East Asian region have cooperated in monitoring acid deposition and air pollution under the EANET umbrella. Thirteen countries are members of EANET: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Thailand, and Viet Nam. EANET has also succeeded in promoting cooperation with other regional initiatives, in particular, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP), and established strong links with international organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and World Health Organization (WHO), among others. Experts from these initiatives have been regularly invited to attend EANET meetings and many have contributed their expertise in enhancing the network. Activities and workshops in partnership with partners are regularly organized and promoted on the Events and Activities page.