Meghan Hodges
Pollution is a pressing global issue that demands concerted action from countries worldwide. In recent years, countries have been grappling with alarming levels of pollution, with nine million people dying annually from pollution-related causes. While some countries are taking steps to address this crisis, the overall response has been inadequate. The World Bank Group, for instance, has been criticized for not prioritizing pollution action sufficiently. However, some positive initiatives are being implemented, such as the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming, and the EU's Zero Pollution Plan. Countries like the Seychelles have improved air quality by transitioning from solid fuels to liquefied petroleum gas. Additionally, firms like IKEA are innovating with products like curtains that absorb air pollution. To effectively tackle pollution, countries must invest in monitoring systems, prioritize pollution reduction in various sectors, and address the disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries that have signed the Paris Agreement | 195 |
| Goal of the Paris Agreement | Limit the increase in global warming to below 2°C, with a target of 1.5°C |
| Countries that have committed to net-zero emissions | Sweden, Norway, UK, France, China, South Korea, Japan |
| Number of people worldwide living in places where WHO air quality guidelines are not met | 99% of the world's population |
| Number of premature deaths caused by outdoor air pollution in 2019 | 4.2 million |
| Percentage of premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries | 89% |
| Percentage of global black carbon emissions from household cooking and heating | 58% |
| Number of people in Nigeria without access to the electrical grid | 101 million |
| Number of IEG World Bank Group country strategies that addressed pollution as a priority | Less than a third |
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What You'll Learn
Countries are pledging to reduce emissions by 2030
Countries around the world are taking steps to reduce emissions by 2030, with a growing coalition of nations pledging to achieve net-zero emissions. As of June 2024, 107 countries, responsible for approximately 82% of global greenhouse gas emissions, have made net-zero pledges. This includes countries like Sweden, Norway, the UK, France, China, South Korea, Japan, and others.
The Paris Agreement, signed by 195 countries in 2015, is a crucial international pact for addressing climate change. It commits nations to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C. To achieve this, countries must significantly reduce their emissions by 2030. However, critics argue that current pledges fall short of what is needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets.
Countries are taking various approaches to reduce emissions. For example, Denmark is investing in renewable energy sources, such as wind power, with plans to generate enough energy to supply 5 million homes by 2030. Suriname is focusing on forest conservation, aiming for 93% forest cover, while also promoting sustainable land and water management. The UK, on the other hand, is cutting down on oil and gas usage and transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing emissions by 29% between 2010 and 2019.
Additionally, countries are collaborating on initiatives to address specific issues. For instance, more than 130 countries pledged at COP26 to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030, and over 100 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge, agreeing to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
While countries are making efforts, the transition to net-zero emissions is a significant challenge, requiring a transformation in how energy is produced and consumed. To achieve the 1.5°C target, emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030, and net-zero must be reached by 2050.
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The EU is reducing air, water, and soil pollution
The EU is taking several steps to reduce air, water, and soil pollution. Air pollution is a pressing issue in Europe, with urban citizens exposed to unsafe levels of pollutants. To address this, the EU has implemented the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NECD), setting standards for 12 air pollutants. By 2022, 16 member states had met their emission reduction commitments, while 11 needed further improvement. The European Commission has proposed an updated directive to align EU standards with WHO recommendations, aiming to reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 55% by 2030.
Water pollution is another area of focus for the EU. Europe's water resources face multiple challenges, including pollution from agriculture, eutrophication, and the impacts of climate change. The EU and its member states have implemented policies and measures to improve water quality and reduce pollution, with notable successes in bathing water quality, drinking water, and urban wastewater treatment. However, issues such as plastic litter in seas and wetland conservation remain concerning. The EEA supports policies for better water management and monitors progress toward policy targets.
Soil health is also a priority for the EU. Recognizing that healthy soils contribute to climate neutrality, zero pollution, and sustainable food production, the EU has adopted the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, aiming to restore all EU soil ecosystems to a healthy condition by 2050. The European Green Deal includes initiatives like the Biodiversity 2030, Farm to Fork, and Chemicals Strategies, which address soil protection and sustainable food systems.
Overall, the EU is actively working to reduce air, water, and soil pollution through various directives, strategies, and initiatives. While progress has been made, continued efforts are needed to achieve the ambitious targets set by the EU to protect the environment and improve the health and well-being of its citizens.
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The World Bank Group is criticised for inadequate action
The World Bank Group (WBG) has been criticized for its inadequate action in addressing pollution concerns. Despite the WBG's stated commitment to a "clean world" with "low pollution and low emissions", independent evaluations suggest that the group is not adequately prioritizing action against pollution.
One criticism is that the WBG's support for pollution action has not kept pace with increasing pollution levels. In recent years, the WBG has shifted its attention primarily to climate change and other priorities, resulting in a decline in relative support for pollution management. As of March 31, 2017, pollution-relevant projects accounted for only about 9% of the WBG's total portfolio.
Furthermore, evaluations reveal that less than a third of the WBG's country strategies completed between fiscal years 2014 and 2017 explicitly identified major pollution concerns or addressed pollution as a priority. This indicates a lack of urgency in tackling pollution, despite its devastating impacts on human health and economies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The WBG has also been criticized for its limited success in addressing pollution through solid waste management and water treatment interventions. These initiatives often face challenges and are less successful in achieving cost recovery and institutional capacity building. While the WBG has made progress in urban transport interventions and air quality monitoring, the positive effects have been largely localized rather than broadly beneficial.
Additionally, the WBG's efforts have been criticized for not adequately focusing on the specific circumstances of the poor and their exposure to pollution. This includes indoor and outdoor air pollution, as well as specific threats such as lead, mercury, pesticides, chromium, and e-waste. Integrating pollution aspects more systematically into sectors such as urban transport and energy could be a more comprehensive approach.
While the WBG has achieved some successes, such as contributing to decreases in particulate matter pollution in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, the overall criticism suggests that more needs to be done to address the magnitude of the pollution crisis.
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The Paris Agreement commits nations to limit global warming
The Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, commits nations to limit global warming. In 2015, 195 countries signed the agreement, which aims to hold the increase in the global average temperature to "well below 2°C" above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. This is a critical target, as the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that surpassing 1.5°C could lead to far more severe climate change impacts, such as frequent and intense droughts, heatwaves, and rainfall.
To achieve this goal, the Paris Agreement establishes an enhanced transparency framework (ETF). Under the ETF, countries will transparently report on their actions and progress in mitigating climate change, adapting to its impacts, and providing or receiving support. These reports will be subject to international review, and the information gathered will inform the Global Stocktake, which assesses collective progress toward long-term climate goals. The Paris Agreement also invites countries to formulate and submit long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LT-LEDS) to better frame their efforts toward the long-term goal.
The Agreement recognises the need for accelerated action to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Countries are requested to revisit and strengthen their 2030 targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. NDCs are national climate action plans where countries communicate their actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change impacts. Each successive NDC is meant to reflect a higher degree of ambition, with countries pledging to reduce or limit their emissions by 2025 or 2030.
While the Paris Agreement has sparked low-carbon solutions and new markets, experts argue that more ambitious action is needed. Countries' current pledges are not enough to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, and full implementation would still result in a significant temperature increase by 2100. However, if countries follow through on their net-zero targets, there is hope for limiting warming to 1.8°C. The Agreement also includes commitments to provide financing to developing countries to support their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
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WHO supports countries with evidence-based policies
As the coordinating authority on international health, the World Health Organization (WHO) supports countries in protecting public health through evidence-based policies and actions. WHO's Air Quality and Health Unit works in three cross-cutting areas: knowledge, evidence and measuring progress; institutional capacity building and technical support; and leadership and coordination.
WHO's new Global Air Quality Guidelines provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, even at lower concentrations than previously understood. The guidelines recommend air quality levels for six pollutants, where evidence has advanced the most on health effects from exposure. According to a rapid scenario analysis performed by WHO, almost 80% of deaths related to PM2.5 could be avoided worldwide if current air pollution levels were reduced to those proposed in the updated guideline.
WHO supports countries by providing evidence, building institutional capacity, and leveraging the health argument to address air pollution. For example, in Mexico, analytical work has informed investments, policy reforms, and capacity-building interventions to address environmental priorities. Similarly, the World Bank-supported Integrated Nutrient Pollution Control Project in Romania equips rural communities with tools to improve livestock manure management and prevent nitrate contamination of soil and water supplies.
WHO's guidelines are an evidence-informed tool for policymakers to guide legislation and policies to reduce air pollutant levels and decrease the burden of disease from exposure to air pollution. Countries with strong policy-driven improvements in air quality have often seen marked reductions in air pollution. For instance, the World Bank has provided financing to the Mexico City Metropolitan Area for projects spanning air quality management, transportation, and energy, contributing to a decrease in particulate matter pollution by more than 70% over the last five decades.
Additionally, addressing pollution from its sources can enhance economic growth, improve resource efficiency, and create employment opportunities. For example, in Nigeria, the Rural Women for Energy Security (RUWES) initiative is addressing indoor air pollution by creating clean energy enterprises, training women in clean cookstove manufacturing and maintenance, and providing affordable clean energy solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2015, 195 states and the European Union signed the Paris Agreement, committing to limit the increase in global warming to 'well below 2°C', with a goal to keep it to 1.5°C. Countries pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 or 2030.
The Seychelles transitioned the whole country from solid fuels and inefficient cookstoves to liquefied petroleum gas, improving household air quality. Sweden, Norway, the UK, France, China, South Korea, and Japan have legally committed to net-zero emissions targets. In Nigeria, the Rural Women for Energy Security (RUWES) is a group of over 2 million women working to provide affordable clean energy solutions across the country.
Countries can implement policies supporting cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, power generation, industry, and better municipal waste management. Countries can also adopt clean technologies that reduce industrial smokestack emissions and improve waste management. Additionally, integrating pollution aspects into sectors like urban transport and energy can help tackle pollution cost-effectively.
