Air pollution is the largest environmental threat to human health worldwide. Health professionals and agencies are usually the most trusted voices in their communities, so when they are actively engaged on climate change and air pollution, they can reframe these is sues as questions of public health and help move public opinion and policy.

The State of Global Air Quality Funding series, produced in partnership with the Clean Air Fund, maps the outdoor air quality funding landscape, presents major trends in international development finance flows and identifies how — and where — donors can maximize their resources.

Published each year by the Clean Air Fund, this report provides the only global snapshot of projects funded by donor governments and philanthropic organizations to tackle air pollution. Its purpose is to identify gaps in funding and opportunities for strategic investment and collaboration which will deliver clean air for all.

This briefing paper shows, factoring in wider savings on healthcare, economic productivity, and inequality reduction gained from improving air quality when deciding climate policies can justify bolder, faster action on air pollution and climate change.

India saw 1.67 million deaths —18% of total mortality— due to air pollution in 2019. However, the impacts of air pollution are not limited to health but also on the economic front.