The world marked the fifth annual International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies with urgent calls for investment in clean air solutions, as air pollution continues to inflict severe public health, environmental, and economic damages.
Currently, over 99 percent of the global population is breathing polluted air, resulting in more than 8 million deaths annually, including over 700,000 children under the age of five.
Air pollution disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. It has become the second leading risk factor for early death globally, surpassing tobacco for adults and ranking just behind malnutrition for young children. Despite the enormous toll air pollution takes—costing the global economy an estimated USD $8.1 trillion annually in health-related damages—less than 1 percent of international development funding is allocated to combatting it.
In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the broader consequences of air pollution, noting that it “chokes economies” while accelerating the climate crisis. He highlighted the need for governments and businesses to “Invest in #CleanAirNow” to safeguard both human health and the planet’s future.
“Investing in clean air requires actions by both governments and businesses,” Guterres emphasized. These actions include phasing out fossil fuels, improving air quality monitoring, enforcing emissions standards, transitioning to renewable energy, promoting sustainable transport, and tackling waste management and methane emissions.
Ahead of Clean Air Day, the UNEP-led Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) launched AQMx, a global air quality management platform, on September 5th. This initiative came in response to demands for greater regional cooperation on air quality, as discussed at this year’s UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen called for increased investment in air pollution solutions worldwide, emphasizing that clean air is a fundamental human right. “We are urging nations, regions, and cities to establish robust air quality standards, support renewable energy, hold industries accountable with strict emission standards, and integrate air quality into climate action,” she said.
Andersen also called for increased funding through the redirection of fossil fuel subsidies, grants, microloans for cleaner cooking technologies, and stronger private sector engagement. “Collective action is essential,” she added, urging both international development initiatives and individual lifestyle changes.
Global events marked the International Day of Clean Air, including a two-day conference in South Africa, a UNEP-supported webinar on African cities tackling open waste burning, and high-level discussions in Asia amplifying youth voices. In Beijing, a former steel mill was transformed into an outdoor Olympic Games site as part of efforts to reduce air pollution, while in Latin America, UNEP and Wikimedia collaborated on an editing workshop to enhance public information on air pollution. North America hosted a Clean Air Day event featuring speakers from NASA, the World Bank, and the governments of the U.S. and U.K.
Encouragingly, air pollution is preventable, and global efforts are yielding results. Some cities have dramatically cut air pollution levels, and countries are making strides in reducing methane emissions—a major air pollutant and contributor to global warming—through initiatives like the Global Methane Pledge. A 20 percent reduction in PM2.5, a common pollutant, could boost employment growth by 16 percent and productivity by 33 percent, while halving methane emissions could save between USD $4 billion and USD $33 billion by preventing crop losses by 2050. Reducing super pollutants could also curb global warming by up to 0.5°C by 2050, protecting both the climate and food security.
Governments are urged to adopt stricter air quality standards, invest in air pollution monitoring, build institutional capacity, and integrate clean air policies into national agendas. Businesses must prioritize clean technologies, reduce emissions, and incorporate air quality into their strategic planning.
Air pollution knows no borders, and safeguarding our atmosphere requires collective action. By investing in clean air across all regions, sectors, and societies, we can protect public health and ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
