In March 2025, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, hosted the Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, bringing together ministers, policymakers, and experts to discuss solutions for clean air, energy access, and climate mitigation. Co-organized by WHO and the Colombian government, with support from Spain and other UN agencies, the event fostered multi-sectoral action to tackle air pollution and its health impacts.
Air pollution is a major global health crisis, responsible for 7 million deaths annually due to diseases like respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and cognitive impairments. It is deeply linked to climate change, driven by fossil fuel combustion, poor waste management, and unsustainable land use. Addressing air pollution can yield broad benefits, including improved public health, economic growth, and climate resilience. The solution requires coordinated global action, with policies, financing, and partnerships to implement effective air quality measures. The recent Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health focused on sharing evidence, tracking progress, and mobilizing commitments to reduce pollution and promote sustainable energy transitions by 2030 and beyond.
Addressing this challenge requires coordinated policies that tackle emissions from transport, industry, and energy sectors while promoting clean air solutions. In line with these efforts, the EU recently revised its Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) to bring air pollution standards closer to WHO recommendations. The updated directive, published in November 2024, strengthens limits on key pollutants such as PM₂.₅ and NO₂, aiming to improve public health and align with broader climate and sustainability goals. This reflects a growing global commitment—highlighted at the recent Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health—to reducing air pollution through evidence-based policies, cross-sectoral collaboration, and financial mechanisms supporting a just energy transition.
While the EU's revised AAQD represents a significant step toward improving air quality standards, some limits remain less stringent than the WHO's 2021 guidelines.
Achieving full alignment may require further policy adjustments and implementation strategies in the future.