A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) has found that integrated action to tackle climate change and air pollution could prevent about 144 million premature deaths globally by 2050.
The report, titled Hidden Assets: The Economic and Health Case for Climate and Clean Air Action, said implementing 25 proven measures across energy, transport, industry, agriculture, household cooking and heating, and waste management could significantly reduce exposure to harmful air pollutants while also slowing climate change.
The measures include expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency, improving oil and gas operations, strengthening vehicle emission standards, promoting electric vehicles, adopting cleaner cooking and heating solutions, improving agricultural and livestock practices, reducing emissions from waste, and phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
The finding comes against the backdrop of an already severe global air pollution crisis.
In March 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) disclosed that about seven million people die prematurely from air pollution annually, with 99 per cent of the world’s population breathing air that exceeds its recommended guideline limits.
