A landscape view of polluted air hanging over a city.

Air quality

UNEP strengthens the capacities of governments on clean air by enhancing understanding of air pollution sources and impacts, supporting legislation, catalyzing actions and policies across high emitting sectors, and promoting regional cooperation and global advocacy efforts.

Air pollution is the greatest environmental health risk of our time; a silent killer that claims more than 8.1 million lives every year.

Air pollution and climate change are closely interlinked, because they stem from common sources and have a shared impact on the release of greenhouse gas emissions. The good news is that tackling air pollution can bring significant benefits for economies, human health and the climate.

UNEP plays a pivotal role in addressing this pressing need to enhance global air quality by:

- Mobilizing industry and private sector partnerships to redirect investments in high-impact sectors;

- Providing advisory support to countries and cities in detecting and reducing harmful pollutants through policy and regulatory actions;

- Enhancing the evidence base for informed decision-making by conducting air quality monitoring, health -impact assessments, sector-specific interventions, and economic analyses; and

- Strengthening global and regional movements focusing on air quality advocacy and networks.

Air quality highlights
Pollution Action Note
Explore: Pollution Action Note – Data you need to know
Air quality
Interactive
Contact

The work of UNEP on air quality is led by the Pollution and Health Unit.