EU study records poor air quality in Georgian cities through satellite imaging

A new study based on remote sensing of the Earth carried out by the European Union satellites in the Copernicus Programme has assessed the air quality in Georgia and put forward recommendations on how to improve the environment in the Caucasian country.

“The satellite imagery shows that Rustavi is a key pollution hotspot of the country, probably due to its concentration of obsolete industries. Tbilisi is also heavily polluted, and unregulated car traffic and insufficient public transport are among the main causes”, summarizes Jan Labohy, head of the World from Space research team. “Also, other big cities, mainly Gori, Kutaisi and Batumi, show increased pollution, probably due to the high traffic”, he adds as reported by the EU Reporter.

The study detailing the distribution of three pollutants (NO2, CO and particulate matter - PM10) over the territory of Georgia is the result of a broad collaboration. Petr Kubernat, Czech ambassador to Georgia, states that the Czech Republic has a lot of experience to share when it comes to monitoring and seeking ways to improve air quality: “We are honoured to be able to share our know-how in cooperation with the Georgian civil society, using advanced methods such as satellite imagery from the European Copernicus programme”.

Severe air pollution, especially in major cities, has long been a thorn in the side for many Georgians. “For a long time, we have drawn attention to the extremely poor air quality in Tbilisi and in cities burdened by heavy industry or major transport hubs. By failing to use early warning methods, the state is exposing citizens to downright dangerous concentrations of, for example, suspended particles that bind dangerous chemicals. Now we have clear, warning data”, explains Giorgi Japaridze, chairman of the NGO Green Pole.

One of the threats to Georgia's air quality is the increasing volume of traffic and the large number of old vehicles. Tbilisi alone accounts for almost 40 percent of the pollution from transportation, induced by 1.5 million residents’ cars, freight and massive commuting from the hinterland. Although the situation has maybe improved slightly with the introduction of mandatory technical inspections of vehicles, enforcement and the use of alternative modes of transport remains weak, which unfortunately helps to maintain high emission levels of, for example, NO2.

Other concerns are obsolete factories of heavy industry. In Rustavi, Rustavi Steel LLC, one of Georgia’s largest industrial enterprises, and Rustavi Azot, one of the largest producers of fertilizers and industrial chemicals in the Caucasus region, are located. Rustavi has significantly higher levels of NO2 and PM10 than other cities of similar size. Kaspi and its surroundings also suffer from NO2 emissions due to the cement and glass industries. Increased pollution was also measured in Marneuli or Gardabani.

The authors of the analysis make a series of recommendations. “Georgia is on a well-established track to improve air quality and has been adopting many of the European Union’s environmental standards and legislation. Nevertheless, it is necessary to pursue improvements in key areas, such as transport, accountability of industries, law enforcement, energy diversification and participation of the public in the decision making", summarizes Zuzana Vachunova, coordinator of international projects in Arnika.

According to the World Bank’s estimation from 2020, air pollution in Georgia was responsible for around 4,000 premature deaths in Tbilisi and economic losses of around $560 million. The country is also one of the region's most vulnerable to climate change, in particular to increased flooding, heavy rainfall, landslides, and droughts, highlighting the need for a responsible approach to both emissions of various pollutants and the protection of the environment and public health as a whole.