History
East Sweden Air quality Management Association was founded in 1992 by 14 municipalities in Stockholm County. Since then, the association has grown and continues to do so. The reason for this growth is a unique approach, even from a European perspective, which involves collaborating to perform legally mandated air quality monitoring. The association is funded entirely by member fees. The association currently has 69 members, 60 of which are municipalities.
The association comprises a board, a preparatory group with high expertise, including experts in environmental medicine, traffic planning, and environmental inspection. Additionally, the association employs representatives who serve as the communication channel between members and the secretariat. These representatives are individuals working within environmental and health departments or planning departments in municipalities or member organizations.
Why establish an organization for air quality monitoring?
Municipalities often have limited resources, and legal requirements are stringent, necessitating a high level of competence among responsible officials. Some municipalities struggle to find the right expertise to fully comply with these legal requirements. Having the competence to meet air quality work requirements, including providing information to residents, reporting measurement data, and conducting measurements and instrument maintenance, becomes more cost-effective through membership in the association.
The association manages the procurement of measurement services, and members sign framework agreements, enabling them to directly order additional services. The current service provider (SLB-analys) offers members favorable prices (30% lower hourly rates) for dispersion modelling and other assessments. Members also have access to a shared secretariat where both officials and residents can seek assistance on technical and concentration-related matters. The secretariat organizes seminars and training sessions for members, such as training on updating the EDB (the emissions database) required for further reporting to the EU.
The association was formed to contribute to improved air quality in the region. The association's task is to provide factual information for decision-making to members and other stakeholders who influence air quality, whether related to municipal development or efforts to create more sustainable cities and achieve environmental quality goals.
With access to high-quality air quality data, efficient air quality work can be facilitated. Through collaboration within East Sweden Air quality Management Association, air quality can be monitored and the impact of various decisions on pollutant levels can be described. The association also aims to use information to positively influence various stakeholders. East Sweden Air quality Management Association brings together efforts for effective air quality monitoring in the counties of Södermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Östergötland, and Gotland.
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