Healthier air, healthier planet – Nature Geoscience

Sustainable Development Goals and Air Pollution

Introduction

Air pollution is a leading cause of death globally. Efforts to clean the air not only save lives but also contribute to addressing broader environmental and socioeconomic challenges.

World Health Organization Guidelines

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) tightened its air quality guidelines, lowering levels of air pollutants by up to 75%. The guideline for annual concentration of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) was halved from 10 to 5 μg m^–3. This adjustment was made in response to mounting evidence suggesting that there is no safe exposure level to air pollution. However, in 2022, about 97% of countries failed to meet the new guidelines, including countries with decades of pollution control and air quality improvement efforts.

Air Pollution Control Efforts in Different Regions

Air pollution is caused by both natural and human activities. The history of anthropogenic pollution varies from place to place, and not all countries are at the same stage in cleaning up their air. For example, the United States implemented end-of-pipe control technologies in the 1980s, leading to significant reductions in emissions and improved air quality. However, challenges remain in meeting the new WHO guidelines due to increasing fire smoke under climate change. China has made significant improvements in air quality through the employment of advanced emission control technologies. Further pollution reduction in China is becoming costly and technically challenging, highlighting the need for energy transition. In India, biomass burning for residential heating and cooking is the largest source of air pollution, particularly in non-urban regions. Africa faces the challenge of protecting air quality during industrialization and urbanization and calls for attention to be given to its air pollution problem globally.

Link to Sustainable Development Goals

Efforts to reduce air pollution align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Reduction of coal consumption and promotion of renewable energies not only reduce emissions of air pollutants but also climate pollutants, contributing to climate change mitigation. Transitioning to clean energy use in households is crucial for clearing deadly smog in India. Africa needs to prioritize green industries, improve waste and pollution management, and accelerate the energy transition in residential and transportation sectors to achieve healthy and green socioeconomic growth.

Conclusion

Tightening air quality guidelines is essential for protecting public health. Vigorous action on air pollution control not only saves lives but also contributes to climate change mitigation, sustainable economic growth, transition to renewable energy, and increased waste recycling. These efforts make our planet a better place to live for all its residents.

References

1. State of Global Air 2020 (Health Effects Institute, 2020).
2. Burke, M. et al. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06522-6 (2023).
3. Air quality in China. IQAir (accessed 23 October 2023); https://www.iqair.com/china
4. Shi, Q. et al. Nat. Commun. 13, 5061 (2022).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Indicator 7.1.2: Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology.
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5) in cities.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer.

5. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Indicator 15.1.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: nature.com

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