The WHO has presented guideline values for ambient air quality, but, as the report shows, there is no global alignment and common legal framework for applying them.

In at least 34 per cent of countries, ambient air quality is not yet legally protected. Even where legally adopted, standards are difficult to compare: 49 per cent of the world’s countries define air pollution exclusively as an outdoor threat, geographic coverage of air quality standards varies, and over half of countries allow deviations from these standards.

Furthermore, institutional responsibility for attaining standards is weak globally — only 33 per cent of countries impose obligations to meet legally mandated standards.

Monitoring is critical to knowing if standards are being attained but is not legally required in at least 37 per cent of countries. Finally, although air pollution knows no borders, only 31 per cent of countries have legal mechanisms to address cross border air pollution.

“There will be no jab to prevent seven million premature deaths caused by air pollution each year, a number poised to grow by more than 50 per cent by 2050,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “The air we breathe is a fundamental public good, and governments must do more to ensure it is clean and safe.”

The right to a healthy environment, including clean air, is a precursor to achieving Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals on good health, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities, responsible production, and life on earth (SDGs 3, 7, 11, 12, and 15).