Recently the second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health was held in Colombia.
More than 50 countries, cities, and organizations pledged to reduce air pollution health impacts by 50% by 2040.
About the Conference WHO Conference on Air Pollution and Health
- Title of the Conference: The Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health: Accelerating Action for Clean Air, Clean Energy Access, and Climate Change Mitigation.
- The conference was organized by WHO in collaboration with the Government of Colombia in Cartagena.
- Goal: To safeguard public health by tackling air pollution and promoting clean air initiatives.
- Participants: WHO, UN partners, Global health institutions, and Civil society and research bodies.
- Key Focus Areas:
- Highlighting evidence-based, multi-sectoral solutions to address air pollution.
- Showcasing the impact of air pollution on health, climate, and social equity.
- Encouraging financial investment in clean energy and sustainable transport.
- Mobilizing health professionals to advocate for clean air policies.
- Strengthening country cooperation and commitments for cleaner air.
Key Issues Highlighted by the Conference
- Air pollution is a major global health crisis, causing more deaths than violence.
- WHO emphasized the need for urgent action to achieve clean air globally.
- Financial investment is required for sustainable solutions like clean energy and improved air quality standards.
- Health professionals must be empowered to advocate for and implement air pollution mitigation strategies.
- The importance of integrating air pollution policies with climate and economic development efforts.
India’s Pledge
- Commitment: Reduce health impacts of air pollution by 2040, aligned with the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
- Key Actions:
- Strengthening air pollution and noncommunicable disease surveillance.
- Promoting cleaner cooking energy, especially for vulnerable populations.
- Supporting healthcare professionals in protecting at-risk patients.
- Challenges:
- A parliamentary report revealed that ₹858 crore allocated for pollution control in 2024-25 remains unutilized.
- This unutilized budget constitutes 27.44% of the Ministry’s revised annual allocation.
Other Global Commitments
| Country/Group |
Commitments |
| Spain |
- Aim for a carbon-neutral healthcare system by 2050. Focus on emission reduction, cross-sector collaboration, and innovation.
|
| United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
- Chairing the Forum for International Cooperation on Air Pollution (FICAP).
- Setting health-based PM2.5 targets.
- Publishing an updated Air Quality Strategy. Supporting the Africa Clean Air Programme.
|
| Brazil |
- Strengthening inter-ministerial cooperation.
- Launching the National Air Quality Policy.
- Updating air quality standards in line with WHO guidelines.
|
| China |
- Committed to stricter air quality standards and improved health protection systems.
- Aims to achieve national environmental and climate goals for 2030, 2050, and 2060.
|
| C40 Cities (Deputy Mayor of London) |
- Supported WHO’s 2040 air pollution reduction target.
- Urged governments to invest in clean air solutions.
|
Financial and Policy Commitments
- The Clean Air Fund (CAF) will allocate an additional $90 million over the next two years for climate and health initiatives.
- WHO reiterated its commitment to supporting countries in translating these pledges into actionable policies.
To get PDF version, Please click on "Print PDF" button.
PWOnlyIAS
