UN Chief Calls for Investment in Clean Air to Save Lives, Combat Climate Change

In a powerful message ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on September 7, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged global leaders to invest in clean air as a vital step to save lives and tackle climate change, Xinhua reported yesterday.

Guterres highlighted that 99% of the world’s population breathes polluted air, resulting in approximately 8 million premature deaths annually, including over 700,000 children under five.

He warned that pollution not only harms public health but also exacerbates climate change, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. Guterres emphasized the need for immediate action, calling for the phasing out of fossil fuels, enhancing air quality monitoring, and promoting renewable energy.

He also urged development organizations and financial institutions to redirect investments towards clean-air technologies, stating, “Investing in clean air saves lives, strengthens economies, and advances the Sustainable Development Goals.”