Un's Plan To Combat Global Air Pollution

Air pollution is an environmental risk to human health and the planet. According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world's population breathes polluted air, with exposure significantly worse in low- and middle-income countries. In 2024, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), the world's highest-level decision-making body for environmental issues, approved a resolution for knowledge sharing and regional cooperation to improve air quality globally. The resolution directs the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish a global knowledge platform to share information and best practices across member states. It also calls for countries to work together to develop and implement air quality policies and set targets for air quality levels aligned with WHO guidelines. To support this effort, the CCAC launched the Clean Air Flagship, which aims to strengthen global cooperation and mobilize climate finance for clean air initiatives.

The Clean Air Fund and UNEA resolution

The Clean Air Fund welcomed the landmark resolution passed by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya, in March 2024. The resolution, approved by 193 member states, addresses the air pollution crisis by calling for increased regional cooperation and the development of national programmes, policies, and standards.

The Clean Air Fund urged governments to mobilise more funding for the much-needed knowledge platform and stronger regional coordination. The resolution calls for the creation of a global online air quality platform and cooperation network, which will require financial support to be effective.

The resolution also emphasises the need for regional and subregional cooperation between countries in developing and implementing air quality policies. These policies will be aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and set targets for air quality levels. Governments, intergovernmental organisations, financing institutions, the private sector, and philanthropic foundations are encouraged to help mobilise resources to address transboundary air pollution in low- and middle-income countries.

The Clean Air Fund has expressed its support for implementing these crucial next steps. They have highlighted the potential of clean air for transformative climate action and health benefits. The Fund has also noted that while international development funding for fossil fuel projects has decreased, clean air initiatives remain chronically underfunded. As a result, they have urged donors and policymakers to direct more resources towards clean air efforts.

The UNEA resolution is a significant step towards addressing the global health and environmental crisis caused by air pollution. It recognises the multifaceted impacts of air pollution on health, ecosystems, and the economy, and underscores the importance of regional and global cooperation, capacity building, and technological advancements for effective air quality monitoring.

Reducing super pollutants

To effectively reduce super pollutants, coordinated action is required across all levels of government, from local cities and regions to national administrations. Countries can integrate specific targets, measures, and policies for reducing super pollutants into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are national climate plans submitted under the UN Paris Agreement. These plans can attract investment for climate projects and facilitate the integration of climate measures with national development, air quality improvements, and public health initiatives.

The Clean Air Fund emphasizes the dual benefits of addressing climate change and improving air quality, which have been overlooked in the past. By focusing on super pollutants, countries can achieve near-immediate advantages for their populations and economies, including reduced healthcare costs and improved workforce productivity.

Additionally, the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in tackling super pollutants. Implementing sustainable practices, more efficient systems, and cleaner alternatives in agriculture can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution while improving crop yields, livelihoods, and environmental outcomes. For example, using crop residues for bioenergy or innovative biomaterials instead of burning them reduces black carbon emissions and benefits farmers. Alternating between wetting and drying rice paddies instead of continuous flooding reduces methane emissions and makes rice production more resilient to water scarcity. Sustainable nitrogen management reduces ground-level ozone and harmful particulate matter in air pollution while also curbing production costs for farmers.

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), founded by the UNEP and six countries, is an example of multilateral action to address super pollutants. The CCAC aims to create clean, breathable air for everyone and has initiatives in place to reduce methane emissions, a significant super pollutant.

The Africa Clean Air Programme

The ACAP builds on the Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa, which was published in 2022 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This assessment identified 37 mitigation measures across five key sectors: transport, residential, energy generation and industry, agriculture, and waste management. By implementing these measures, Africa can prevent 880,000 premature deaths annually by 2063, improve food security by reducing desertification and increasing crop yields, and contribute to the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C.

The ACAP will serve as a platform for regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing across all African countries. It will help build more climate-resilient communities and advance Africa's response to air pollution and climate change. The programme aligns with Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, Africa's master plan for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse.

To support the implementation of ACAP, Nigeria announced a $1 million USD pledge during the CCAC Ministerial in New York City in September 2024. This funding will scale up country-led initiatives, strengthen institutional capacities, and promote collaboration across Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

The University of Liverpool is also actively involved in addressing household air pollution (HAP) in sub-Saharan Africa. They have released data demonstrating the health benefits of transitioning from polluting fuels to clean fuels and are partnering with organisations in Kenya to evaluate the health impacts of transitioning schools from wood fuel to clean cooking with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Global collaboration and knowledge sharing

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the world's highest-level decision-making body for environmental issues, with 193 member states. At the sixth session (UNEA 6) in Nairobi, Kenya, member states approved a resolution on knowledge sharing and regional cooperation to improve air quality globally. The resolution directs the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish a global knowledge-sharing platform to tackle air pollution. This platform will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, information, and expertise across member states. It will also provide best practices, interactive online tools, and data and air quality maps.

The resolution also calls for regional and subregional cooperation between countries to develop and implement air quality policies and set targets for air quality levels aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Governments, intergovernmental organizations, financing institutions, the private sector, and philanthropic foundations are encouraged to help mobilize resources to address transboundary air pollution, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where exposure to air pollution is significantly worse.

The Clean Air Fund welcomes this resolution and urges governments to increase funding for this much-needed knowledge platform and more robust regional coordination. Gaps in technical knowledge and comprehensive guidance are some of the biggest barriers to effective air pollution management in low- and middle-income countries. By sharing knowledge and expertise, countries can work together to address these gaps and develop effective solutions to tackle air pollution.

The CCAC (Climate and Clean Air Coalition) also plays a crucial role in global collaboration and knowledge sharing. At COP28 in Dubai, the CCAC launched the Clean Air Flagship, which aims to strengthen global cooperation and deploy actions based on the latest scientific research. The CCAC brings together key partners, including the WHO, WMO, C40, WRI, Clean Air Fund, World Economic Forum, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and several country partners. By working together and sharing knowledge, these organizations can accelerate progress towards achieving clean air worldwide.

Additionally, the Africa Clean Air Programme is another example of global collaboration and knowledge sharing. This continent-wide initiative, designed by Africa for Africa, will address the distinct regional needs and opportunities of African countries. Through built-in partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and collaborations across all African countries, the program will help build more climate-resilient communities across the continent.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels

The Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) launched the Clean Air Flagship at COP28 in Dubai, which aims to strengthen global cooperation and deploy action based on the latest science to achieve clean air worldwide. The CCAC brought together key partners such as the WHO, WMO, Clean Air Fund, World Bank, and several country partners to develop a global online air quality platform and cooperation network.

The CCAC's work aligns with the newly adopted UNEA-6 Resolution on Promoting Regional Cooperation on Air Pollution, which calls for coordinated action across all levels, from local cities and regions to national governments, to tackle super pollutants that contribute to air pollution.

The resolution also emphasizes the need to reduce these super pollutants in countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are at the heart of limiting warming and embody each country's efforts to reduce national emissions. By enhancing NDCs and focusing on super pollutants, countries can address broader climate issues and create a cleaner and more sustainable world.

To support the transition away from fossil fuels, the GST decision from COP28 calls on parties to treble renewables and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. This includes accelerating the transition to a predominantly fossil-free energy system by 2050, recognizing the need for transitional fuels to ensure energy security during this period. While some countries have already made progress by retiring coal-fired power plants and encouraging electric vehicle sales, more coordinated policy, planning, and cross-sector integration are needed to manage the reliable, affordable, and equitable transition of the electricity sector.

Additionally, the agreement reiterates the call to eliminate 'inefficient' fossil fuel subsidies and accelerate technologies such as carbon capture and storage to clean up hard-to-decarbonize industries. However, there are concerns about insufficient financing to support developing countries in their transition to clean energy, which must be addressed to ensure a successful global shift away from fossil fuels.

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