Air pollution poses a major health risk globally, weighing on economies and people. In 2017, an estimated 4.13 to 5.39 million people died from exposure to PM2.5 pollutants – one of the most harmful forms of air pollution.
The health impacts of pollution also represent a heavy cost to the economy. According to World Bank research, the cost associated with health impacts of outdoor PM2.5 air pollution is estimated to be $5.7 trillion, equivalent to 4.8 percent of global GDP. Lost labor income due to fatal illness from PM2.5 pollution globally in 2017 was in the range of $131 to $317 billion, equal in magnitude to about 0.1-0.3 percent of GDP.
Investments and technology choices that countries make affect the pollution intensity of growth in a significant way. Therefore, countries cannot simply grow their way out of pollution. Three cities - Mexico City, Beijing, and Delhi - offer lessons on how countries can tackle the growing challenge of air pollution.
Notably, there is no silver bullet. Tackling air pollution requires sustained political commitment and comprehensive programs across sectors. The three pillars of an effective air pollution management strategy for any country are information, incentives, and institutions.
