UN Report: Air Pollution Kills Seven Million Every Year

Achim Steiner (R2), Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), speaks during the release of a report at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi on May 24, 2016. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com / Xing Yihang]

As global air quality declines, threatening to add to the seven million people air pollution kills each year, according to reports released on Tuesday at the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) in Nairobi.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global urban air pollution levels increased by 8 per cent between 2008 and 2013. More than 80 per cent of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits, threatening lives, productivity and economies.

Actions on Air Quality, a report by the United Nations Environment Programme, found improvements in some areas such as access to cleaner cooking fuels and stoves, renewables, fuel sulphur content and public transport – pointing to a growing momentum for change.

However, action in other areas is less impressive and will not halt the increase in air pollution that is threatening to claim many more lives.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said, “More and more people around the world are affected by air pollution, and suffering adverse health effects as a consequence.”

He said while the current global response to pervasive poor air quality was inadequate, there was hope in some countries and regions that are coming up with effective and cost-effective measures to improve air quality.

Ninty-seven countries have increased the percentage of households that have access to cleaner burning fuels in an effort to tackle indoor pollution, which claims half of the seven million lives.

More than three billion people still use solid fuels and inefficient cooking stoves.