The United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies by the Resolution A/RES/74/212. Today, the international community acknowledges that improving air quality can enhance climate change mitigation and that climate change mitigation efforts can improve air quality. The UN Member States recognize the need to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination by 2030, as well as to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management by 2030.

FORUM: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2020 "Preventing and reducing air pollution to improve air quality globally".

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. 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 observes the day.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2020, September 7th.

Around the world, nine out of every ten people breathe unclean air. Air pollution contributes to heart disease, strokes, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. It causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. Air pollution also threatens the economy, food security and the environment.

As we recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the world needs to pay far greater attention to air pollution, which also increases the risks associated with COVID-19. We must also urgently address the deeper threat of climate change. Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees will help reduce air pollution, death and disease.

This year’s lockdowns have caused emissions to fall dramatically, providing a glimpse of cleaner air in many cities. But emissions are already rising again, in some places surpassing pre-COVID levels. We need dramatic and systemic change. Reinforced environmental standards, policies and laws that prevent emissions of air pollutants are needed more than ever. Countries also need to end subsidies for fossil fuels. And, at the international level, countries need to cooperate to help each other transition to clean technologies.

I call on governments still providing finance for fossil fuel-related projects in developing countries to shift that support towards clean energy and sustainable transport. And I urge all countries to use post-COVID recovery packages to support the transition to healthy and sustainable jobs.

Today, 7 September, marks the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. Let us work together to build a better future with clean air for all.

António Guterres

EVENTS : International Day of Clean Air and Blue Skies celebrations - Schedule

Non-UNEP events listed here have been communicated to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as being organized in support of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies and are shared here as a courtesy.

Actions to #ClearTheAir, 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted air. But governments, organizations and companies are understanding the urgency to act. Learn more about air pollution, what’s being done and ways in which you can be part of the movement.