UN Environment
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"Improving air quality is key to tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Yet, air quality continues to deteriorate despite the increase in laws and regulations seeking to address air pollution. UNEP is committed to expanding its assistance to countries in addressing the pollution crisis, thereby protecting the health and well-being of all, particularly the most vulnerable members of our population who, as we all know, are disproportionately affected by this problem” 

- Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director

Photo by Basil D Soufi

HISTORY

The United Nations General Assembly designated 7 September as International Day of Clean Air for blue skies in 2019, and the first Day was held in 2020. This follows the international community’s increasing awareness of the risks of air pollution and emphasizes the need to make further efforts to improve air quality to protect human and environmental health, as well as catalyse movement towards the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

2023: 

The theme of the fourth International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is "Together for Clean Air". The theme focused on the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and share responsibility for overcoming air pollution. It also highlights the need for Collaboration between governments, development organizations, the private sector, and civil society is crucial to reducing pollution and improving air quality. The observation report is accessible here.

2022: 

The theme of the third International Day of Clean Air for blue skies was "The Air We Share". The theme focused on the transboundary nature of air pollution, stressing the need for collective accountability and action. It also highlights the need for immediate and strategic international and regional cooperation for more efficient implementation of mitigation policies and actions to tackle air pollution.  

The Day saw organizations and people from all walks of life calling for working together at home and in our workplaces, communities, governments and across borders to improve our air. Pollution is a global problem that we must act together to combat. It follows on from 2021’s theme of “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet”. The report on the observance of the Day is accessible through this link. 

2021:

The theme of the second International Day of Clean Air for blue skies was "Healthy Air, Healthy Planet". The Day aimed to get everyone thinking about the truly global nature of pollution, correlating it not only to human health, but also that of our planet. Pollution travel across the globe, so only thinking local won’t solve the problems.

Governments, organizations and people from across the globe joined forces to participate in the observance of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. A detailed overview of all activities can be seen here.

2020:

The United Nations launched the first ever International Day of Clean Air for blue skies was on 7 September 2020 under the theme of “Clean Air For All”. It aimed to build a global community of action to encourage cooperation at the national, regional and international levels, calling on countries to work together to tackle air pollution and provide clean air for everyone.

For the launch of the first ever International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, UNEP, with support from partners, undertook the task of setting up the necessary foundation, coordination and broad-based engagement for a successful and exciting observance, including developing key communication assets and a coherent visual identity, logo and brand that will resonate for decades to come. Some highlights can be viewed here.

 

UN Environment