International Day of Clean Air for blue skies

   Join global leaders, policymakers, scientists and health experts for Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action – the inaugural High-Level Side Event on indoor air quality, to take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Outline of session: High-level speakers from government, UN agencies, academia, healthcare, education, policy, sustainability, and industry will gather to s hare insights, experience, and diverse perspectives on how they are approaching indoor air quality , noting this is currently a gap in most public health frameworks. Airborne diseases (including those that cause pandemics) and airborne pollutants (like wildfire smoke and vehicle emissions) may be invisible, but they cause profound harm. With global populations spending ~90% of time indoors, buildings need to prioritise and guarantee access to clean, safe air. As climate change intensifies wildfires and the risk of novel pathogens increases, the need for research, policy, and action on IAQ ...

Air pollution and food loss and waste are two of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Start the From plate to pollution quiz: The air we breathe and the food we eat .

  What’s clouding our future? Air pollution—the top environmental health threat—chokes lives, climates, and economies. “ Invest in Clean Air Now ” isn’t just a call—it’s a win for health and sustainability. On thiS International Day of Clean Air for Blue Sky and every day in between, WMO’s on it: tracking trends with the Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, monitoring wildfire smoke, and mapping pollution hotspots. Cleaner air fights climate change, boosts crops, and saves lives. Let’s cut emissions, power up renewables, and strengthen warnings—together, we’ll clear the skies for a thriving planet.

Nearly every person on Earth breathes air that is unsafe , leading to millions of deaths every year. Air pollution is a global emergency but a preventable one. Solutions are within reach. We can rein in the pollutants that choke people, and heat the planet by investing in renewable energy , improving waste management, halting deforestation including wildfires, and promoting eco-friendly agriculture . Governments must seize the opportunity of new national #ClimateAction plans due this year, to chart a course to drastic emission cuts, and a just transition away from fossil fuels. For too many around the world, blue skies have been stained grey by inaction and injustice. Let us take urgent steps, for clean, breathable air for all. #WorldCleanAirDay

  On the sixth International Day of Clean Air for blue skies , it’s time to race against air pollution action, build multistakeholder partnerships, and embrace our shared responsibility to address air pollution. In the lead up to #CleanAirDay, we're featuring updates from the United Nations System, partners, and others helping to highlight the urgent need for solutions to air pollution and its severe impacts on human health, climate, biodiversity, ecosystems, and overall quality of life.

Organizations and Institutions involved in the in the fight to stop the dangerous effects of transboundary air pollution are:  The UN ESCAP Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution; The UN ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP); The European Union Legislation; The Intergovernmental Network on Atmospheric Pollution for Latin America and Caribbean (LAC); The US-Canada Air Quality Agreement; The West Asia Air Quality Network (WAAQN); The Eastern Africa Regional Framework Agreement on Air Pollution (Nairobi Agreement); The Arctic Council; The Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and Its Likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia (Malé Declaration); The North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC); The West and Central Africa Regional Framework Agreement on Air Pollution (Abidjan Agreement); The Lusaka Agreement to develop a Southern African Development Community Regional Policy Framework on Air Pol...

  Livestock methane represents 32% of all human-made methane emissions. Increasing productivity of livestock systems is a crucial lever to reduce emissions from agriculture. It increases the production of food while reducing the need for extra animals, and it paves the way for the development and adoption of groundbreaking methane-reducing technologies by farmers. Investing in groundbreaking solutions to reduce emissions from livestock and on productivity increases are crucial steps to achieve the emissions reductions from livestock we need. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Clean Air Task Force (CATF), Spark Climate Solutions, and the Environmental Defense Fund are coming together to highlight the key pillars for optimizing productivity and reducing emissions in livestock: feed, breed, and animal health – the triple win. Through the lenses of multiple livestock stakeholders, we will highlight the opportunities and challenges on the path to sustainable intensification, ...

Clean air saves lives, strengthens the economy, enhances quality of life, protects the climate, and opens doors for innovation. We’re making progress — and we know how to do it. Now it’s time to accelerate. To mark the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2025 , this webinar will showcase new tools and knowledge resources designed to empower air quality managers globally. Together these initiatives strengthen decision-making, improve public engagement and drive effective policies for clean air. Featured launches include: New Curated Guidance on Air Quality Management Exchange platform (AQMx) WHO Science and Policy Snapshots UNECE E-learning course on monitoring air pollution effects under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution WMO/Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW)’s 5th Edition of the Climate and Air Quality Bulletin UNEP - Law and Air Quality Toolkit Organizers: Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Register to participate!

Addressing air pollution is crucial for protecting public health and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change . The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, which takes place on 7 September, focuses on finding solutions because every breath matters. WHO/Europe continues to maintain its engagement in advocating for clean air and protecting health in the WHO European Region An unequal picture The European Region is one of the most active WHO regions in addressing air pollution and climate change, and air quality improvements have been achieved where policies and measures have been implemented. For example, levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) have generally decreased in Europe and central Asia over the past decade, but other areas have not seen the same improvement. Emissions of major air pollutants have also decreased in most countries of the Region, except for parts of central Asia, but there has been a region-wide increase in ammonia emissions from agricult...

 On September 7th , the world marks the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies . The day promotes action to reduce air pollution , which causes 8.1 million premature deaths every year.

The UN has spent decades helping countries, cities and communities tackle this crisis. Partnerships among key stakeholders have been powerful in supporting efforts to beat air pollution . Those initiatives include the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and BreatheLife . The UN has also come together under the Common Approach to a Pollution-Free Planet . This framework is designed to help UN bodies collectively address pollution challenges through their respective mandates, thus leading to more impact, with the goal of ensuring a clean, healthy, sustainable environment for everyone on Earth.

  Since air pollution comes in many forms , there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But there are some simple, cost-effective things cities and countries can do to begin to address the problem.  Those include:   build robust air pollution monitoring systems to inform data-driven policies and early warning systems; leverage global data and reliable science to make decisions to protect human health;  share real-time air quality data with the public in an easy-to-understand way; limit emissions from known sources of pollution through laws and regulations; map out the economic benefits of addressing air pollution, which often far exceed the costs; and strengthen the institutions designed to address air pollution. Businesses and individuals also have an important role to play in the campaign against air pollution, says UNEP’s Stone. “We’re going to need everyone pulling together if we’re going to win the race to clean air,” he says. A recent report from the Wor...

Air pollutants can travel across borders, with ozone and some types of particulate matter capable of radiating out hundreds or thousands of kilometres from their source. That’s why experts say the only way to tackle air pollution at scale is for countries to share their knowledge, align their strategies and mobilize their resources in partnership with each other.

The 17 goals are humanity’s blueprint for a better future and several hinge on reducing air pollution. Reining in airborne toxins can, obviously, help improve public health (SDG3) . It can also counter poverty (SGD1) b y allowing workers to be more productive and reducing the number of lost work days . It can help reduce inequalities (SDG10) because vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, tend to suffer the most from dirty air. Tackling air pollution can even help counter hunger (SDG2) . One common airborne pollutant , ground-level ozone , inhibits the growth of crops.

  Many of the same substances that make people sick also trap heat near the Earth’s surface, stoking climate change. In fact, research suggests these so-called super pollutants – which include methane and black carbon – are responsible for a large percentage of global warming to date.

Air pollution has imperiled major sports events everywhere from Canada to India , with spiking levels of contaminants like PM2.5 posing a risk to players. That’s in part why sports governing bodies have joined the push for cleaner air, including World Athletics, which sanctions track and field events. It has installed air quality sensors around stadiums to detect poor air quality, especially risky to runners. You can detect poor air quality by observing physical symptoms like eye irritation and fatigue, noting visible issues like mold and dust, using air quality apps like AirNow or IQAir for outdoor and indoor readings, and installing an indoor air quality monitor to get real-time data on specific pollutants like particulate matter and VOCs. Checking your HVAC system for blockages or dirt can also reveal underlying issues. Check Your Body's Symptoms Pay attention to how you feel: Allergy-like symptoms : Irritated eyes, nose, and throat can signal poor air quality. Fatigue and h...

In 2021, air pollution led to more than 8.1 million premature deaths, found a study by the non-profit Health Effects Institute. That is more than one in eight deaths worldwide. More than 700,000 of the fatalities were in children under five.

  Particles less than 10 microns in size – also known as PM10 – can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and damaging the lining of the respiratory tract. PM2.5 is even more problematic. These particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream , where they can affect every organ in the body. Air pollution has been linked to a range of  serious health problems , including pneumonia, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and stillbirths. 

  Ninety-nine per cent of people on Earth breathe air the World Health Organization considers polluted.

There are two main types of air pollution: indoor and outdoor. Indoor air pollution comes chiefly from the burning of wood, charcoal, animal dung and other so-called “solid fuels” which are used by billions around the world for cooking. When these fuels are set ablaze, they release microscopic specs of dust, soot and black carbon, which are collectively known as fine particulate matter. Outdoor air pollution comes from an array of sources, including factories, motor vehicles – even forest fires and dust storms. Experts say the most concerning pollutants are: PM 10 and its smaller cousin PM 2.5 , two types of fine particulate matter that often spring from the burning of fossil fuels; carbon monoxide , an odourless gas that commonly comes from the combustion of wood, kerosene and charcoal; ground-level ozone , a major component of smog that is created when sunlight comes into contact with certain gasses; and nitrogen dioxide    (NO₂)  and  sulfur dioxide (SO₂) ,...

  Car exhaust. Factory smoke. Wildfire haze. Chances are, no matter where on Earth you live, you’re exposed to some form of air pollution almost every day. The consequences of this pollution can be debilitating – and deadly. Air pollution caused 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021 alone, found one prominent study . On 7 September , the world celebrates the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies , which showcases solutions to air pollution. The theme this year is Racing for Air , which reflects the urgent need to address what United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called a “global emergency.” It is also a nod to the growing support for clean air among sports associations. “ Just like athletes, we all need clean air to move, perform and thrive ,” says Steven Stone, the Deputy Director of the Industry and Economy Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “ Clean air supports healthy people, resilient communities, strong economies and a hea...

Actions for Individuals concerning Individuals Waste Reduce your waste, cut single use plastic products, Reduce non-organic trash, reuse grocery bags and don't burn trash. Take Action Individuals Diet Switch to a plant-based diet, compost food and prioritize locally produced food,  Take Action Individuals Transport Use public transport. Cycle and Walk to get around.  Take Action Individuals Energy Check efficiency ratings for home heating system and cook-stoves favouring fuels and technology that reduce emissions and protect health.  Conserve energy, turn off lights and electronics when not in use, use appliances when high energy efficiency ratings in your home, this will reduce emissions and save money.  Take Action Individuals Lobby For Change Encourage and support your government and businesses to take measures to improve air quality.  Take Action Individuals #WorldCleanAirDay On september 7th, share photos and videos of yourself...

  This webinar will showcase insights from two country-led initiatives in Iraq and Jordan aimed at strengthening data systems to support waste sector management strategies and climate goals , including reporting. Iraq developed an action plan for organic waste management to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and align with the country’s updated NDC and zero-waste ambitions implemented by Mile Organization for Environmental Protection. Jordan enhanced national capacity to account for greenhouse gases and SLCPs in the waste sector, supporting integrated assessments and informing policy development to guide climate-responsive waste management implemented by The Waste and Resources Action Programme. Both initiatives were developed in response to requests reflecting national priorities of national governments. Outcomes offer practical examples of how improved data and institutional capacity can accelerate low-emission waste management strategies and systems in the region. ...

  The sixth International Day of Clean Air for blue skies takes place on 7 September 2025. This day highlights the urgent need to address the evolving threat of air pollution and its severe impact on health, economies, and community resilience. Air pollution has long contributed to death and disease, undermining economic prospects and community well-being. Many sources of air pollution, such as the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, causing our planet to warm. Like climate change, air pollution affects everyone but impacts pregnant people, babies and children , older people, those living in poverty , and historically marginalized communities. The enormity and immediacy of these challenges cannot be ignored Held under the theme “ Racing for Air ”, this year’s observance emphasizes the need to accelerate solutions and collective action to deliver clean air for all. It is the second leading risk factor for death, causing around ...

On this September 7th ,  International Day of Clean Air for blue skies , discover how clean air powers health, climate action, and stronger communities. Join the race for solutions, because clean air empowers performance, endurance, and equity. Together, we’re Racing for Air - accelerating actions for a healthier, fairer future.