Clean air is not political. It's public health.
A 90-day initiative to deliver visible improvements to Yerevan's air quality through targeted, practical interventions that citizens can feel immediately.
The Challenge We Face
Yerevan's air quality has become increasingly unsafe—the kind of air that makes your throat scratch on a short walk and keeps families indoors. This is particularly acute in winter when temperature inversion traps polluted air beneath warmer layers.
A Governance Challenge, Not a Mystery
Research shows that Yerevan's dominant air-quality issue is particulate matter (PM2.5). These are known, well-documented sources—and many cities facing similar challenges have reduced exposure through targeted, low-cost interventions.
Primary Pollution Sources
Construction Dust
Dust and debris from demolition and excavation activities
Road Dust
Re-suspended particles from heavy traffic and dry conditions
Regional Dust
Seasonal winds transporting dust from nearby mining regions
Limited Greenery
Insufficient urban vegetation and soil stabilization
Older Vehicles
Emissions from aging vehicles with inadequate controls
Landfill Fires
Smoke from the Nubarashen landfill and illegal burning
The Clean Air Initiative
A practical, non-partisan effort designed to deliver visible improvement quickly—without waiting for national reforms or long procurement cycles.
90-Day Sprint
A focused first-90-days package designed for rapid, measurable results that citizens can see and feel.
Targeted Actions
Five practical interventions addressing the known, documented sources of Yerevan's air pollution.
Expert Council
A cross-sector advisory council providing clear public guidance, just like during COVID, but for air.
"This is fixable. Not overnight, and not with one expensive mega-project, but with clear rules, consistent enforcement, and visible public-health leadership."
The 90-Day Action Plan
Five targeted interventions designed to deliver visible improvement quickly. These measures are not theoretical—cities that implemented similar restrictions have seen rapid improvements.
Construction Dust Control
Mandatory dust-control rules for all construction sites including water spraying, covered debris piles, dust-proof netting, wheel-washing at exits, and covered trucks for transporting materials.
Wet Sweeping & Road Washing
A serious wet-sweeping and road-washing schedule on major corridors, especially during dry periods and inversion events, to lower particulate levels quickly.
Vehicle Emissions Crackdown
Focused enforcement campaign targeting high-polluting vehicles: older diesels, smoking vans, and cars missing catalytic converters. Plus incentives for cleaner choices.
Fire & Burning Prevention
Zero tolerance on open burning of waste, strengthened landfill fire prevention at Nubarashen, and a public hotline for reporting illegal burning.
High-Smog Day Protocol
A tiered alert system (yellow/orange/red) that triggers specific actions on high-pollution days, giving citizens clear guidance and showing active protection.
Air & Health Advisory Council
Monitoring alone is not enough unless it triggers public guidance, behavior change, and policy response. We propose establishing a Mayor's Air & Health Advisory Council—a cross-sector group of experts convened by the Municipality.
In other words: a calm, credible public-safety voice, much like during COVID, but for air quality.
Council Composition
- Urban planning specialists
- Environmental health researchers
- Public health physicians
- Epidemiologists
- Civic leaders and advocates
Council Responsibilities
Data Interpretation
Interpret air-quality data (PM2.5, PM10) and publish clear public guidance
Protocol Thresholds
Define thresholds for the city's smog-day alert protocol
Recommendations
Recommend rapid, low-cost interventions and track implementation
Public Updates
Provide weekly updates so citizens see progress and know what to do
Join the Initiative
Yerevan will meet you halfway. People want to help. They want to comply. They want to believe change is possible. But they need to see the city lead decisively.
Initiative Signatories
Larisa Hovannisian
Founder & CEO, Teach For Armenia
Arin Balalian
Epidemiologist & Public Health Physician
Alique Berberian
Environmental Health Researcher
Lili Gasparyan
Architect & Urban Planning Specialist