PURPOSE: Encouraged by the increasing interest of the international community in clean air, and emphasizing the need to make further efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution to protect human health, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 7 September as International Day of Clean Air for blue skies; The Day aims to prioritize the need for healthy air for all and to encompass other critical issues such as climate change, human and planetary health as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. The day also serves as a rallying call to action to collectively align efforts and claim the right to clean air.
FORUM:“Invest in #CleanAirNow.“ International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skies 2024. This year’s theme underscores the economic, environmental and health benefits of investing in clean air. Collaboration with the United Nations member states, the development organizations, the international and regional organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations is crucial to reducing pollution and improving air quality. Access to a healthy environment is a human right. By shifting to renewable energy, adopting clean cooking, transforming global transport and food systems, and more, we can work to overcome air pollution and promote clean air for all. Investment is urgently needed for Clean Air Now. Learn about some innovators who are helping the world breathe fresher air. Follow the conversations with the hashtags, #7september; #WorldCleanAirDay, #CleanAirNow.
EVENTS: On September 7th; to mark the 5th annual International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, Participants will focus on the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and share responsibility for overcoming air pollution. Air pollution, indoors and outdoors, directly impacts human and ecosystem health. We all share and breathe the same air; thus, we all have a responsibility to protect our atmosphere and ensure healthy air for everyone.
WEBCASTS: Watch the Climate and Clean Air Coalition webinar to mark the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2024 and explore the calendar of upcoming meetings and events.
From 22-23 May 2024 - The Annual meeting of the Joint Task Force on Health Aspects of Air Pollution will be held. As recognized in the Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, the Task Force will play an important role in supporting the implementation of Conference commitments on air quality, climate change and health, by providing a platform to exchange knowledge and information. The agenda covers international policies and processes for air quality and health, WHO tools for health risk assessment of air pollution (AirQ+ and CLIMAQ-H), progress in research on air quality and health, and relevant experiences in Member States. Other agenda items will address air pollution, climate change and health, and communicating on air quality and health. Presentations will include updates on the ongoing revision of the European Union Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, information about the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in 2025 and the contribution of the Task Force to the regional Science and Policy Snapshots, and the use of behavioural and cultural insights for environment and health. Participants will also review current activities of the Task Force workplan for 2024–2025 and discuss the next steps for implementation.
STATEMENTS:
PODCASTS: Air pollution knows no boundaries – neither should our efforts to stop it. It's time we break down barriers and work Together For Clean Air. Let’s talk about small few of the science-based actions that can be taken to manage air pollution while delivering simultaneous benefits for climate, public and ecosystem health, food security and sustainable development. Listen to the audio podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Everyone has a part to play in cleaning our air and protecting our health, and everyone can benefit from it: a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including clean air, is integral to the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights. Unite to forge a future free of dirty air. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is organized by the Chief Scientists of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Convention to combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants .
In that spirit, we call on researchers, industry leaders, decision-makers and political leaders to work together to:
Continue to strengthen and expand cooperation at all scales on transboundary air pollution, particularly around integrated monitoring, reporting, and knowledge sharing of experiences and good practices
Support development of a comprehensive global network of ground-based observations of atmospheric pollutants.
Identify co-benefits of action and prioritize policies that maximize synergies across multiple goals, national priorities and imperatives.
Undertake specific science-based actions to manage air pollution.
Clean air is important for the health and day-to-day lives of people, while air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally. Air pollution disproportionately affects women, children and older persons, and also has a negative impact on ecosystems.
Today, the international community acknowledges that improving air quality can enhance climate change mitigation and that climate change mitigation efforts can improve air quality. Encouraged by the increasing interest of the international community in clean air, and emphasizing the need to make further efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution, to protect human health, the General Assembly decided to designate 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.