27 March 2025
Knowledge Global

Breathing Life into Cities: The Health and Economic Opportunities of Action for Clean Air

Cities are in a unique position in the battle against the “silent killer” of air pollution, experiencing some of the worst impacts. But they are also at the forefront of driving change on clean air. Breathe Cities analysis highlights the opportunities and substantial health and economic benefits for 60+ cities if they follow the WHO’s new air pollution Road Map.

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Download the Spanish Executive Summary
Download the Annexes and Methodology

 

Cities that act on air pollution can make major health gains and deliver significant ‘clean air dividends’ for people and economies. Many fast-growing megacities and metropolitan areas in Africa, Asia and South America are already at the forefront of tackling air pollution and have the most to gain from this clean air action. To succeed, this city-level action needs to be underpinned by strong national policies and financial support.

Our Breathing Life into Cities report analyses the benefits for citizens if the World Health Organization’s (WHO) updated Road Map, for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects on air pollution were to be implemented, with a focus on cities. The WHO’s Road Map details how governments can cut the health impacts of human-made air pollution by 50% by 2040. Although the Road Map primarily addresses national governments, cities play a critical role in delivering these impacts. Strong collaboration between national and local governments is key to success, along with cooperation at a regional and global level.

Our analysis outlines the clean air benefits delivered by a selection of 63 diverse cities, spanning 21 countries and five continents, with a population of more than 450 million people.

Highlights

New analysis shows how cleaning the air can avoid 650,000 premature deaths each year and $1 trillion in annual economic damage across 63 major cities by 2040.
The research outlines the significant gains for public health and the economy by improving urban air quality.
Cities, national governments, international development and philanthropic funders, civil society, academics and businesses all have a part to play in cleaning the air in our cities.

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By 2040:

650,000 air pollution-related deaths could be avoided each year in the cities studied by reducing fine particulate matter PM2.5 levels in line with the WHO’s new Road Map.

Of these lives saved each year, an estimated 55,000 would be children aged 15 or under, and 395,000 people over the age of 65.

Each year, by avoiding air pollution-linked mortality the cities will gain 5.7 million years of productive (working-age) life.

$1 trillion of annual economic damage would be avoided each year by reducing air pollution-linked deaths in these cities.

From Accra to São Paulo, Bandung to Mexico City, there are dozens of urban powerhouses which can drive economic growth, increase productivity, and improve health and well-being for residents and workers alike.

If prioritised, clean air action can save lives, boost economies and make cities more liveable.

To reach these potential impacts, we recommend that:

Cities:

  • Cities implement strong air quality policies to tackle the major sources of air pollution within their control and protect vulnerable populations. This should include efforts to increase awareness of the benefits of clean air action.
  • Mayors and city leaders should invest in expanded air pollution monitoring to deepen understandings of pollution sources and health impacts for the design of effective, evidence-based interventions.

National governments:

  • National governments implement effective regulations to guide cities to meet the WHO Air Quality Guidelines, establish robust ambient air quality standards in line with WHO’s Guidelines, and enforce strict emissions regulations based on the best available technology.
  • National governments can support the implementation and enforcement of air quality policies, scale up financial support for clean air solutions, and ensure greater transparency through expanded air quality monitoring networks.

International development and philanthropic funders:

  • International development and philanthropic funders scale funding, particularly to low- and middle-income cities where the least funding is currently allocated.
  • Investments should focus on solutions that provide immediate health gains and long-term economic benefits, including zero-emission transport, cleaner energy, and improved waste management.

Civil society, academics, and businesses:

  • Civil society, academics, and businesses contribute by respectively promoting stronger policies, raising awareness, and developing clean air innovations.
  • Civil society and community organisations, if adequately funded, can mobilise grassroots support and advocate for data-driven policies, while businesses and researchers contribute through technological innovation and solutions.
650,000
air pollution-related deaths could be avoided each year by reducing the level of harmful particles (PM2.5).
5.7 million
years of productive (working-age) life will be gained each year by avoiding air pollution-linked mortality.
$1 trillion
of annual economic damage would be avoided each year by reducing air pollution-linked deaths.