UNEP says robust measures needed to curb air pollution

NAIROBI – (PNA/Xinhua) The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) has said there is need for governments to refashion policy and regulatory interventions aimed at reducing air pollution.

A UNEP report launched in Nairobi says global efforts to curb air pollution have fallen short of agreed targets due to rapid urbanization, consumption of fossil fuels and haphazard burning of waste.

It blames air pollution for a rising toll of respiratory infections globally.

Speaking during the launch of the report, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner decried the menace of air pollution, terming it a threat to low carbon future, human health and prosperity.

“Many people around the world are suffering from adverse health effects linked to air pollution. Regrettably, the current global response to pervasive poor air quality is inadequate,” Steiner said.

He commended robust interventions in a number of countries that have led to a significant improvement in air quality in spite of rapid industrial growth.

“Several countries are coming up with cost effective measures to improve air quality. These best practices should be replicated globally to ensure there is clean air,” he said.

The UNEP report notes the adoption of cleaner cooking stoves, renewable energy and sulphur-free gasoline in public transport could reduce air pollution by a wide margin.

It laments sluggish enactment of progressive legislation and policies to curb haphazard burning of urban waste alongside consumption of adulterated fuel blamed for air pollution in low and middle income economies.

It gives an upbeat assessment on the ongoing efforts by rich and poor nations to shift to cleaner fuels.

According to the report, 82 out of 193 countries that were analyzed have established policy and regulatory incentives to promote investment in renewable energy sources.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says global urban pollution levels increased by 8 percent between 2008 and 2013.

In Africa alone, the WHO says that an estimated 600,000 people die annually from infections linked to in-door pollution.

Experts stressed that incentives to promote urban renewal were an imperative to reduce air pollution.

Rob De Jong, the head of transport unit at UNEP, said robust interventions like mass rapid transit systems and green manufacturing will help reduce air pollution in cities.

“While global actions to address air pollution are not up to speed, we can reverse this grim scenario by adopting proven innovations to promote green transport,” De Jong said.