Cities' Strategies For Battling Air Pollution Globally

Air pollution is a critical issue that affects people worldwide, with approximately nine in ten people breathing unclean air. It is responsible for an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year, with more than 90% of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. Cities are significant contributors to air pollution, and many are now taking action to address this issue. From New York to Tokyo, and Delhi to Zurich, cities are implementing a range of initiatives to reduce air pollution and protect the health and well-being of their residents. These initiatives include improving waste management, promoting sustainable transport, electrifying public transport, and implementing restrictions on polluting vehicles.

Cities are electrifying public transport and bus fleets

As urbanisation increases, air quality deteriorates, and addressing emissions to protect public health is critical. Transportation is a significant contributor to urban air pollution, and cities are increasingly taking action to counter it. One way they are doing this is by electrifying public transport and bus fleets.

In Europe, Latin America, and the US, cities are electrifying their bus fleets to cut emissions and improve air quality. London, for example, has 1,300 zero-emission buses, and Seoul operates over 1,000 electric buses and 27 hydrogen fuel cell buses. The number of transit battery electric buses in the US grew by 112% from 2018 to 2021, and as of 2021, more than 1,300 zero-emission transit buses were delivered to US transit agencies. This accounts for only 2% of the US transit bus fleet, but it is a step in the right direction.

The Indian city is converting its 6,000 buses to compressed natural gas, and the southern Brazilian city of 2 million people has one of the biggest and lowest-cost bus systems in the world, with nearly 70% of the city travelling to work by public transport, resulting in pollution-free air and traffic-free streets. Bogota, Colombia, is electrifying its public bus network and aims to completely electrify the metro system, part of an ambitious plan to reduce its air pollution by 10% by 2024.

The adoption of electric buses is growing worldwide, and cities are taking advantage of state funding and incentives to purchase them. The Dutch electric bus market has been the first to show a clear rise in Europe, and the Netherlands has committed that all newly purchased buses for public transport from 2025 onwards will be emission-free. In the US, the Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) is nearing its goal of a 100% electric city bus fleet, and the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has experienced benefits such as cost savings since incorporating electric buses into their fleet.

According to the 2024 Electric Vehicle Outlook, municipal buses are electrifying rapidly and are expected to exceed 60% of sales by 2030 and reach 83% by 2040. Electrification can cut costs for fuel and maintenance while reducing air pollution and negative health impacts, particularly in low-income communities and communities of colour, which are often disproportionately impacted by transportation pollution.

Introducing low-emission zones and imposing limits on polluting vehicles

Air pollution is a pressing environmental health crisis, causing an estimated 7 million premature deaths annually. As such, cities worldwide are taking action to reduce it. One popular strategy is the introduction of low-emission zones (LEZs) and the imposition of limits on polluting vehicles.

Low-emission zones are designated areas where access by polluting vehicles is restricted or deterred to improve air quality. They are now one of the most widely used transport policies globally, with over 320 zones in Europe alone. LEZs can take various forms, such as banning certain vehicles, implementing congestion charges, or allowing entry only to electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and vehicles using renewable fuels.

Cities like London, Milan, and Stockholm have combined their low-emission zones with congestion charges, exempting or reducing charges for cleaner vehicles. This "carrot and stick" approach discourages the use of polluting cars while promoting e-mobility and alternative transportation methods. London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which began in 2019, now covers almost all of Greater London, and it is estimated that in 2021, it was the fourth-largest revenue stream for Transport for London.

Other cities have implemented similar measures. Barcelona's low-emission zone, introduced in 2020, covers the entire metropolitan area, with polluting vehicles kept to the ring roads. Brussels' LEZ prohibits highly polluting vehicles from entering the capital region, with non-compliant vehicles subject to a daily fine. Singapore has set strict air quality targets and will ban old motorcycles from its streets in 2028.

In addition to low-emission zones, some cities are imposing limits on polluting vehicles. For example, Delhi has banned new large diesel cars and SUVs with engines over 2,000CC and is phasing out diesel taxis. Bogota, a leader in Latin America for reducing air pollution, is electrifying its public bus network and metro system, aiming to reduce air pollution by 10% by 2024.

Improving waste management with composting and recycling initiatives

Cities are increasingly adopting waste management strategies to tackle air pollution. One such strategy is the transition to a circular economy, which promotes waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and innovation. This approach not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also creates sustainable economic opportunities. For example, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) contribute significantly to global solid waste and methane emissions due to inadequate waste management practices. By promoting a circular economy, LAC cities can transform production and consumption models, emphasizing prevention, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and final waste management.

In the same vein, the IDB Cities Network's webinar series, "Strategies to Address Pollution in Cities of Latin America and the Caribbean," focuses on waste management and air quality improvement in urban areas. Similarly, the C40 Cities initiative, which includes cities like New York and Tokyo, addresses waste management through interventions such as composting, recycling, and optimizing waste collection. Dakar, a signatory to the C40 Cities Clean Air Accelerator, rehabilitates former waste burning sites, creating jobs and reducing air pollution from open burning. Addis Ababa is also expanding its waste management program with composting and recycling initiatives, recognizing their role in curbing air pollution and promoting inclusive economic growth.

Composting and recycling initiatives play a crucial role in improving waste management and reducing air pollution. Composting organic waste diverts material from landfills, reducing methane emissions and providing a valuable resource for soil enhancement. Recycling, on the other hand, reclaims materials such as plastics, glass, metals, and organic waste, reducing the need for new raw materials and cutting down on energy consumption. This not only lessens pollution but also creates new income streams for waste management companies and producers, encouraging investment in emission reduction.

Some cities are taking innovative approaches to waste management and recycling. For instance, the Indian government has enacted regulations that hold producers and manufacturers responsible for collecting, reusing, or recycling the waste they create, such as plastic packaging. This reduces the reliance on landfills and encourages more sustainable practices. Additionally, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has supported the construction of Latin America's largest mechanized recycling plant in Brazil, capable of processing 2,000 tons of waste daily. This initiative sets a precedent for sustainable waste management and recycling practices in the region.

Waste management and recycling initiatives are integral to tackling air pollution in cities. By adopting circular economy principles, promoting composting and recycling, and implementing innovative solutions, cities can reduce their environmental footprint, enhance urban quality of life, and ensure cleaner air for their residents. These initiatives also foster collaboration between governments, organizations, and the private sector, demonstrating a united front in the battle against air pollution.

Encouraging active mobility and the use of bicycles

Cities around the world are taking action to reduce air pollution, which claims 13 lives per minute. Transportation is a significant contributor to air pollution in urban areas, and many cities are now implementing stricter measures to tackle this issue.

One way that cities are tackling air pollution is by encouraging active mobility and the use of bicycles. Cycling is a sustainable mode of transport that helps to reduce air pollution and congestion. It also offers health benefits to the rider and improves social cohesion.

Copenhagen, for example, has prioritised bicycles over cars and now has more cycles than people. Large parts of the city have been closed to cars for decades, and Copenhagen plans to become carbon neutral by 2025. The city calculates that one mile travelled by bicycle provides a net benefit of $0.42 to society, while the same distance travelled by car imposes a net cost of $0.20. Similarly, Oslo plans to implement a large no-car zone and build 40 miles of new bike lanes, while the Finnish capital aims to drastically reduce the number of cars on its streets by investing in better public transport and encouraging cycling and walking.

Other cities are also taking steps to encourage cycling and reduce car usage. Paris has banned cars in many historic central districts during weekends and has implemented odd-even bans on vehicles, while Delhi has banned new large diesel cars and SUVs with engines larger than 2,000cc. London now has 1,300 zero-emission buses, and Seoul operates over 1,000 electric buses and 27 hydrogen fuel cell buses.

To promote active mobility and bicycle usage, cities can implement measures such as improving infrastructure for safe walking and cycling, providing changing rooms and secure bicycle parking at workplaces and destinations, and increasing green spaces and parks. These initiatives can help reduce air pollution, improve health outcomes, and create more livable cities.

Launching campaigns to educate people about the health dangers of indoor cookstoves

Cities around the world are increasingly taking action to counter air pollution. From New York to Tokyo, and from Copenhagen to Delhi, cities are implementing a range of initiatives to lower traffic pollution and improve health.

One such initiative is the launch of campaigns to educate people about the health dangers of indoor cookstoves. For example, Accra, the Ghanaian capital, has started a campaign to raise awareness about the health risks associated with traditional cookstoves and open fires. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than two million premature deaths occur annually due to exposure to smoke from these sources, with women and children being the most affected. The emissions from indoor cookstoves have been linked to low birth weights, pneumonia in infants, and various health issues in adults, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer.

The negative consequences of dirty cookstoves extend beyond health issues. Inefficient cookstoves release pollutants such as methane and black carbon, contributing to climate change. Additionally, the use of solid fuels for cooking leads to deforestation and places women and girls in unstable areas at risk of attacks when they venture out to gather wood.

To address these issues, the WHO and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition are supporting a city-wide assessment in Accra to evaluate the health benefits of transitioning to more sustainable household energy systems. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, a public-private partnership led by the UN Foundation, has also been established to tackle the problem. Past efforts to introduce clean cookstoves have faced challenges due to a lack of understanding of local cooking habits and insufficient training for users. Therefore, it is crucial to consider cultural contexts and provide appropriate education and training to ensure the successful adoption of cleaner cooking solutions.

By launching campaigns to educate people about the health dangers of indoor cookstoves, cities like Accra are taking important steps toward improving public health and reducing air pollution. These initiatives aim to empower individuals to make informed choices and take preventive measures to protect their well-being.

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