A recent report by the World Bank suggests that by 2040, the number of people exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution could be reduced by half if appropriate policies are implemented. The report states that outdoor air pollution currently contributes to approximately 5.7 million deaths annually, with 95% of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries. This level of pollution also results in a global GDP loss equivalent to nearly 5%, due to health impacts, lost productivity, and reduced life expectancy.
The report titled “Accelerating Access to Clean Air on a Livable Planet” emphasizes the necessity of policy changes to reduce exposure to PM2.5, a category of fine particulate matter. Such pollution primarily arises from human activities associated with agriculture, urban development, transport, industry, and residential cooking and heating. In some areas, desert dust is also a significant contributor to PM2.5 levels.
“Improving air quality is an urgent health and economic imperative,” commented Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director, World Bank. “The good news is that solutions are within reach. By focusing on the sectors that generate the biggest impact and leveraging strong leadership, data, and financing, we can ensure cleaner and healthier air within our lifetime.”
The report argues for integrated pollution management policies that can achieve several objectives at once, such as supporting energy independence alongside emission reduction efforts. Such policies could yield economic benefits of up to $2.4 trillion by 2040. Moreover, effective air quality improvement requires collaboration across airsheds, which are large cross-border areas affected by polluted air.
For policymakers, the report outlines three main strategies to ensure cleaner air: strengthening governance, enhancing the availability of air quality data, and attracting private investment to supplement public resources.
Additional information can be found on the World Bank’s official website and social media platforms.