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.
Clean air is a triple win: for our health, our climate, and our economy. Yet air pollution remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 8 million lives each year and hitting the most vulnerable the hardest.
UNEP’s Goodwill Ambassador Antoinette Taus reminds us: clean air saves lives, it is a right, and in the global race for air, everyone deserves to win.
To mark #CleanAirDay, NASA’s Research Physical Scientist Laura Judd explains how the TEMPO mission is helping to monitor and respond to air pollution.
By combining satellite, aircraft, and ground data, the organization can provide science-based information to inform better decisions to protect health, guide cleaner air policies, and help communities plan for a healthier future.
The Youth group on the protection of the environment calls for bold regional cooperation to address air pollution as a shared challenge that crosses the borders of Tajikistan and affects every aspect of life in Central Asia.
In a video for #CleanAirDay, they highlight how cleaner air policies can protect glaciers, rivers, and hydropower systems, while also reducing health care costs and strengthening food, water, and energy security for millions. Their message is clear: the decisions made today for clean air will shape a healthier, more resilient future for Tajikistan and the wider region.
UNEP Office in China, with support from Energy Foundation China, convened partners at the Phoenix Center in Beijing to spotlight the links between clean air, health, climate, and community well-being.
Distinguished attendees included the UN Resident Coordinator for China, representatives from the World Health Organization, officials from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China and the Beijing Environment Bureau, renowned experts from leading Chinese universities, and representatives from prominent NGOs.
A special performance by the International Choir of the China Children's Air Troupe captured the spirit of the day, offering a youthful and hopeful vision of a clean and healthy future. The event welcomed over 100 in-person participants and received extensive media coverage from major outlets, including CCTV, China Daily, and CGTN.
In the capital city of Uzbekistan, on the eve of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, the Ministry of Ecology held a public dialogue with the support of UNDP, UNEP, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Embassy of Japan, and the Zamin Foundation.
The discussion focused on strengthening air quality management, reviewing monitoring data from across the country, including dust storm affected regions such as the Aral Sea region and Termez, and noted UNEP’s plans to continue assessments in Namangan.
The event underlined that clean air brings triple benefits—for health, the climate, and economic growth—and highlighted the need to strengthen air quality management to protect human health and help Uzbekistan take a leading role in Central Asia.
Ambitious and innovative solutions to combat air pollution implemented in small cities and countries around the world were highlighted at the official #CleanAirDay commemoration at the UN headquarters in New York City. Speakers from the private sector, academia, UN agencies and Member States agree: the race for clean air is on.
We’re all in this race. And the clock is ticking.
We can win this race with solutions we have on hand.
This webinar will showcase new tools and knowledge resources designed to empower air quality managers globally.
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, but it’s time to accelerate. Register here.