Transboundary cooperation for our shared air: protecting public health

Overview

A variety of global, regional, and transboundary initiatives have been established to support cooperation on air quality management, offering a strong foundation to address the intertwined climate and health impacts of air pollution. Opportunities exist to expand these efforts, as highlighted in UNEA resolution 6/10, by enhancing collaboration, mobilizing resources, and building capacity worldwide.

Tools and networks such as the AQMx platform, UNEP Global Air Quality Cooperation Network, and the UNECE Air Convention support knowledge-sharing and technical development. Additionally, the WHO encourages greater involvement from the health sector to strengthen multisectoral action on air pollution and health.

Transboundary cooperation for our shared air: protecting public health highlights the transboundary issues of air pollution and the implications on health. The technical brief summarises existing regional and international cooperation and agreements in air quality, as well as examples for the health sector to engage to leverage transboundary engagement.

This document is part of the WHO Air Quality, Energy, and Health Science and Policy Summaries (SPS). These summaries provide concise overviews of current knowledge and evidence on air quality, energy access, climate change, and health. They aim to support decision-makers by presenting key insights from scientific research.

The SPS are developed through a multistakeholder consultation process that includes experts from WHO Advisory Groups – i.e., the Scientific Advisory Group on Air Pollution and Health (SAG), and the Global Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG) – as well as specialists from WHO Collaborating Centres, UN agencies as well as other experts from academia and civil society.

All Science and Policy Summaries can be accessed here