Policy instruments for influencing air quality : a review of recent conditions in Nepal

Deteriorating air quality is a growing concern in most countries, including Nepal. Many factors are responsible for changing air quality and this varies from one location to another. This monograph has attempted to undertake review of the experiences with different policies related with influencing air quality changes in Nepal and also to identify potential policy instruments for further improving air quality. The specific objectives are: to review the role of subsidy as a policy instrument in promoting alternative energy technologies such as bio-gas, improved cooking stoves and solar photo-voltaic systems that improves indoor air quality; to find out the effect of fuel price on fuel consumption; to review policies related with the control of air pollution caused by brick kilns; and to review the role of other policies that have been implemented elsewhere in the world and have high potentials for application in Nepal for arresting the air pollutants.