Clean air is the new frontier of global cooperation
Summary
Clean air is a focus for the first time at the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Cape Town. Outdoor air pollution causes significant health and economic issues, but very little global aid is directed toward tackling this problem. Discussions at the G20 aim to address barriers like lack of finance, monitoring, and international cooperation.Key Facts
- The G20 is highlighting clean air as a key issue for the first time at its meeting in Cape Town.
- Outdoor air pollution is responsible for 5.7 million deaths each year worldwide.
- In 2023, only $3.7 billion was spent globally on clean air initiatives, a small fraction of total aid.
- Africa, a continent with fast-growing cities, receives very little of this clean air funding.
- The World Health Organization adopted a global goal to cut deaths from poor air quality by half by 2040.
- Key hurdles identified are poor data collection, lack of cross-border cooperation, and insufficient financial support.
- In 2023, support for outdoor air quality in sub-Saharan Africa dropped by 91% to $11.8 million.
- South Africa has implemented measures to improve air quality and serve as a model for other regions.
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