Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution, Health Concludes with Major Commitments
The Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health has ended with significant commitments from over 50 countries and organizations to combat air pollution and protect public health. Organized with the Government of Colombia, the event gathered over 700 participants from 100 nations, aiming to reduce health impacts by 50% by 2040.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the need for urgent actions, including financial investments in clean energy and enforcement of WHO air quality guidelines.
Key pledges included Colombia’s commitment to improve air quality and promote clean technologies, Spain’s goal for a carbon-neutral healthcare system by 2050, and the UK’s reaffirmation of its air pollution strategies. India and Brazil also made commitments to strengthen air quality initiatives, while China emphasized enhanced standards and international cooperation. The Clean Air Fund pledged an additional US$ 90 million for climate and health efforts.
This comes as the World Bank reported Thursday that air pollution claims the lives of around 5.7 million people each year, with 95% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
In a report titled Accelerating Access to Clean Air on a Livable Planet, the bank estimated that air pollution causes an economic loss equivalent to about 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP) due to its effects on health, productivity losses and reduced life expectancy.
