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As the world rounds the first quarter of the year, with many countries still in lockdown, the emphasis for a Healthy Recovery has never been stronger. In 2020, air pollution levels in cities around the world declined to levels not seen before. Some people breathed clean air for the first times in their lives. But it quickly spiked once economies began reopening, signaling a greater need for a sustainable, long-term solution.
 
With this in mind, governments are now committing trillions of dollars to resuscitate our economies, and the allocation of these investments, as well as the policy decisions that will guide them can either “lock in” existing economic development patterns or promote a healthier, fairer, and greener world.  
 
In the coming months, political leaders, civil society, cities and businesses will gather to discuss opportunities and strategies that will shape the way we live our lives, work and consume for years to come. Some of this will happen with the launch of the Global Methane Assessment by the Clean Air and Climate Coalition on 19 April; at the G20 Health Summit on 21-23 May and the World Bank’s Innovate4Climate virtual event on 25-27 May.
The unexpected respite in our normally bustling cities and towns has resulted in cleaner air, fewer cars, less noise, and communities that are safer for walking and cycling. But it has also revealed vulnerabilities in our systems and societies – an opportunity to build back better.

BreatheLife Highlights

Call for case studies on climate change and health
WHO is collecting case studies on health and climate change, to be highlighted in upcoming events and initiatives throughout the year – envisioning how a healthy, equitable recovery from COVID-19 can drive rapid decarbonization of the world economy.

Greater London Authority installs air quality monitoring network in fight against toxic air
As part of London’s green recovery from COVID-19, London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, will install 100 air quality sensors at hospitals, schools, and other priority locations to monitor and reduce air pollution.
 
West African countries to ban the ‘worst’ used European cars
Fifteen West African countries have announced minimum requirements for used vehicles that will ensure imported cars contribute to cleaner and safer fleets in developing countries.
 
Norway pushes fight on air pollution in developing countries
More than 15 million people under the age of 70 die every year from Non-Communicable Diseases, including air pollution. Now Norway has become the first country to include air pollution in its funding for NCDs.
 
World Cities Day event focuses on how health, climate and urban air pollution are interlinked
Reducing air pollution can be as beneficial to human health as to climate change, experts said during a webinar on World Cities Day, convened by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, UN and national government officials.

Welcome to our new members

Kislovodsk, Russia
Kislovodsk, a resort city of 135,000 residents has become the first Russian city to join the BreatheLife Network. As they embark on a ten-year transformation of their city, local officials are committed to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to promote energy efficiency in homes.

Bataan Province, Philippines
Bataan Province, with a population of 826,000, is focused on clean air and climate efforts in public transit, expanding solar power generation, ecological waste management and sustainable agricultural practices. Bataan has a Local Climate Change Action Plan and is working with Clean Air Asia on a Clean Air Action Plan, which is currently in its preliminary/inception phase.

Parañaque, Philippines
Parañaque’s clean air and climate mitigation plans are incorporated into its annual investment budget and its local climate change plan, and the city of 765,880 has focused on its top priorities of transport emissions, energy supply and proper segregation of waste to improve air quality, while looking into improving and refining its air pollution monitoring.

Stories from BreatheLife partners

In Accra, Ghana, WHO is leading the Climate & Clean Air Coalition-funded Urban Health Initiative by providing local health evidence and analyses to improve the estimates of the health impacts of air pollution and short-lived climate pollutants in the city. This evidence is being used to engage local partners and stakeholders to create policies that reduce short-lived climate pollutant and air pollution emissions and provide health and climate benefits.
WHO Urban Health Initiative releases report on sustainable transport in Ghana - WHO
A new report by WHO’s Urban Health Initiative found that sustainable transport in Accra, Ghana could save up to 5500 premature deaths with improvements to air quality, and an additional 33,000 from increased physical activity over a 35 year period, for a total of USD15 billion from averted healthcare costs.
 
Methane’s links to respiratory diseases strengthens the case for its rapid reduction - Climate & Clean Air Coalition
The threat that methane poses to global efforts to prevent climate change is becoming well-known. Methane emissions are increasing and because methane is many times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the atmosphere, these emissions are supercharging global warming.
 
Tackling poor air quality: Lessons from three citiesWorld Bank
A new World Bank report, Clearing the Air: A Tale of Three Cities, looks at the policies and actions Beijing, New Delhi and Mexico City have taken to tackle poor local air quality and grow their economies.
Transforming Transjakarta - International Council on Clean Transportation
Transjakarta is leapfrogging from Euro II and III buses directly to electric to provide up to 99% reduction in black carbon emissions, and build on 2019 pre-trial of electric buses.
 
Colombia increases its 2030 climate change ambition - Climate & Clean Air Coalition
Colombia’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution aims to reduce greenhouse gases by 51% and black carbon emissions by 40% in 2030 compared to 2014 levels.
 
Discrimination in the airUNEP
Nine out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air, causing about 7 million premature deaths every year. On 7 September 2020, the United Nations observed the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
Transitioning to Clean Cooking webinar will focus on conducting national health and energy assessments, by providing a tool for joint stakeholder mapping and situational assessment to inform future planning. 

Science Report

Health and economic impacts of transport interventions in Accra, Ghana
The WHO Urban Health Initiative has rolled out a programme to support national and city-level government in the use of health impact assessment tools to assess the environmental, health and economic co-benefits of sustainable urban transportation. This report includes discussions on transport and health data availability, and analysis for specific transport scenarios for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.

Upcoming Events

Events are planned for virtual participation unless otherwise stated

Clean Air Headlines

Air pollution kills millions every year, like a ‘pandemic in slow motion’National Geographic
 
Air pollution while exercising may decrease the cardiovascular health of young adults  - European Heart Journal
 
London teenagers' road signs highlight effect of toxic air on people of colourThe Guardian
 
Cycling is ten times more important than electric cars for reaching net-zero citiesThe Conversation
 
New Clean Air Villages will improve London’s air qualityAir Quality News
 
The hidden dangers of air pollution: how safe is your home?  – World Economic Forum 

A Surprise in Africa: Air Pollution Falls as Economies RiseThe New York Times
 
Air pollution: Research links black carbon to increased cancer riskAFP
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