The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to withdraw its proposed five per cent tax on petroleum products.
Mr. Festus Osifo, TUC President General, said this in a statement he jointly signed with Mr. Nuhu Toro, General Secretary of the union on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Abuja.
Mr. Festus Osifo
TUC described the policy as “economic wickedness” against already overburdened citizens battling subsidy removal, soaring fuel prices, food inflation, and a weakening naira.
“To now introduce another levy is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty.
“Nigerians cannot continue to be used as sacrificial lambs for economic experiments and the tax proposal is anti-people, unacceptable,” the union said.
The TUC therefore urged the Federal Government to immediately stop the anti-people’s plan in its entirety.
It added that the failure to do so would leave us with no option but to mobilise Nigerians and the masses for a total nationwide resistance.
“Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy,” it said.
The TUC further directed all state councils, affiliates, and structures to remain vigilant and await further communication that could culminate in decisive action.
The union further called on civil society groups, professional bodies, student unions, faith leaders, and market associations to join in solidarity against what it described as an unjust economic policy.
“Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” it said.
Meanwhile, in another statement, the TUC also condemned alleged anti-labour practices, intimidation, and harassment of workers across Dangote Group companies.
It would be recalled that NUPENG have accused Dangote companies of denying workers’ rights to unionize and assaulting their dignity through persistent intimidation.
“We will not fold our arms while Dangote treats Nigerian workers as slaves in their own country. No employer, no matter how wealthy, will be allowed to trample on labour,” the statement said.
The union therefore urged Dangote to address PENGASSAN and NUPENG’s complaints, and also to recognise the rights of all affected unions immediately and unconditionally.
It said that failure to comply, would trigger nationwide solidarity action, with TUC and its affiliates standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“This is not an appeal. It is a final warning. An injury to one is an injury to all. Touch PENGASSAN, CANMPSSAN, TGTSSAN, and NUPENG, you touch the entire labour movement,” it added.
The National Ex-Officio, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Chukwudi Ezinwa, has urged the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to dialogue with Dangote Group over planned strike.
Ezinwa, who is representing the East in IPMAN National Executive Council, appealed to NUPENG, to consider the hardship they would subject Nigerians to if they embarked on their proposed strike.
Dangote Refinery CNG trucks
The IPMAN National Executive Committee member made the appeal at a press conference on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Enugu.
NUPENG had announced that its members would commence a nationwide strike from Monday and warned of an imminent nationwide fuel scarcity.
The strike is in protest against what it described as anti-labour practices linked to the deployment of newly imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks by the Dangote Refinery, for direct distribution of petroleum products.
According to him, there should be a dialogue, where parties can come together to discuss and find a common ground to settle it.
“I am glad that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour has summoned a meeting in this regard.
“That is the right way to go. I disagree completely with anybody calling for a strike at this moment.
“Nigeria is passing through a lot now and we cannot add more pain to the injury of the masses because the strike they are calling, Dangote and other wealthy Nigerians cannot feel it, but the common man on the street.
“So, I am of the opinion that people calling for strike should do that with restraint as it will cause inflation, panic buying and increase in price of petroleum products,” he said.
Ezinwa, also a former IPMAN Chairman, Enugu Depot, equally decried the call by IPMAN Zonal Chairman, East Zone, Prince Bobby Dick, that members from the zone should join the strike.
“So, I feel insulted by that call and that our constitution has been murdered. I have to address it to let the world know that Bobby Dick is not a Zonal chairman of IPMAN Eastern Zone.
“We cannot say anything on NUPENG issue for now because the national president of IPMAN has not made any pronouncement,” Ezinwa said.
He, however, said that IPMAN would play a fatherly role to ensure the matter was settled, describing the issue as “a problem between our employers and investors.
“Dangote is an investor and want to maximise profits; this is a matter of discussion if there are ways he is not getting it right, they will sit down with him to address it.
“He has a right to belong or not to belong to any union and NUPENG knows that downstream has been deregulated.
“And the deregulated industry is where everybody is competing to outwit his own brother and sell his own product,” he explained.
As the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) got underway on Monday, September 8, 2025, African leaders, civil society and development partners are uniting behind a clear and urgent call: a fully resourced African Development Fund (ADF-17) is critical to securing Africa’s climate resilience, sustainable development and economic transformation.
Hosted by the Government of Ethiopia in partnership with the African Union, ACS2, holding from September 8 to 10, presents a defining moment for Africa’s climate and development agenda. Against this backdrop, the ONE Campaign, Open Society and the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) will co-host the official side event From Risk to Resilience: How the ADF Delivers Climate Solutions Across Africa on 8 September, highlighting Africa-led solutions and the transformative power of strategic finance.
Addis International Convention Centre, Addis Ababa, venue of the second Africa Climate Summit
Since its inception, the ADF has delivered over $45 billion in investments across 37 low-income African countries, nearly half of which are fragile economies. By directing concessional resources to climate-smart agriculture, energy, infrastructure and regional integration initiatives, the Fund has enabled measurable policy outcomes that strengthen economies and safeguard communities.
Projects such as Senegal’s local rice production initiative, which enhances national food security and reduces dependency on imports and the Yookudi Clinic in Liberia, which provides essential healthcare services and strengthens community resilience, demonstrate how ADF investments create tangible change. However, without a fully resourced ADF-17 replenishment in December 2025, these hard-won gains risk stalling, leaving vulnerable communities exposed and slowing Africa’s progress toward evidence-based, climate-resilient policies.
Kerezhi Sebany, Director of Economic Opportunities for Africa at the ONE Campaign, said: “The African Development Fund is a vital engine driving Africa’s climate resilience where it matters most. A fully resourced ADF-17 will equip farmers to adapt, empower young people to seize opportunities and propel economies toward greener, more sustainable growth. By strategically investing in agriculture, energy and infrastructure, the ADF has delivered tangible improvements in communities across the continent. This is Africa’s story of determination and innovation, and it is why ADF-17 must be ambitious and fully supported.”
With just three months until the final pledging session for ADF-17, the Africa Climate Summit offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to place Africa’s climate resilience, sustainable development and economic transformation at the centre of global action once again.
“A fully resourced ADF is not optional, it is essential to advancing climate-smart policies, scaling solutions and empowering African communities to thrive in a changing world,” added Sebany.
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the Federal Government’s decision to develop a draft policy that will earmark revenues from excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) for health financing.
It described the initiative as a decisive opportunity for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to leave a legacy of sustainable funding for Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system and to protect the health of Nigerian citizens.
Sugar-sweetened beverages
Speaking at a recent national health-financing dialogue in Abuja, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, disclosed that the Federal Government is finalising a draft policy to channel excise-tax revenues from alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks into health financing. According to him, the policy will soon be submitted to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Responding to the disclosure in a statement on Monday, September 8, 2025, CAPPA referenced local and World Health Organisation (WHO) reports showing that Nigeria is reeling from grossly inadequate public health financing and grappling with the double burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), fuelled by the excessive consumption of sugar-laden beverages, salt, tobacco and alcohol by citizens.
These diseases, it added, were responsible for nearly 30 per cent of all deaths in the country, making the situation a public health emergency.
By initiating the draft policy, the FG has demonstrated commitment towards tackling the upsurge of NCDs in the country, CAPPA said.
It urged the government to take comprehensive action, not only by earmarking SIN Taxes but also by adopting the recommendations of the WHO and CAPPA to make the taxes effective. This would involve benchmarking them on rates high enough to reduce consumption, encourage product reformulation, and ultimately ease the country’s health burden.
The WHO had recently advised Nigeria and other member states to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco by 50 percent through taxation over the next decade, as a means of curbing NCDs. The organisation expressed confidence that such measures would cut consumption of these harmful products, which contribute to illnesses such as diabetes and cancer, while also generating critical revenue for public health. The call was part of its “3 by 35 Initiative,” a global effort, which, according to the WHO, comes at a time when health systems are under immense strain from rising NCDs, shrinking development aid, and mounting public debt.
NCDs, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, account for over 75 percent of all deaths worldwide, and, according to the WHO, a one-time 50 percent price increase on these products could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, applauded the Tax Reforms Committee’s courage and vision in drafting the policy but cautioned that unless the health taxes are raised to an effective threshold, the policy will not achieve its intended goal.
“We commend the government for proposing to earmark the revenues from SIN tax to public health, as long advocated by WHO, CAPPA and other pro-public health civil society organisations in Nigeria. However, we must emphasise that in the case of sugary drinks, the impact of this draft policy will only be maximised if Nigeria significantly raises SSB tax from the current N10 per litre to at least N130 per litre, adjustable to inflation.
“CAPPA has consistently recommended, based on available evidence and in-depth research, that the current N10 per litre excise duty – introduced under the 2021 Finance Act – is grossly inadequate. At N10, the tax represents only about N3.33 on a N300, 50cl bottle, less than 1 percent of the retail price. Such a token measure cannot meaningfully discourage excessive consumption or generate substantial revenue,” Oluwafemi stated
He added: “By contrast, an increase to a minimum of N130 per litre would generate up to N729 billion annually, according to expert analysis by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA). This revenue could offset the estimated N493.3 billion Nigeria currently spends each year treating SSB-related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
“It would help curb the rising prevalence of NCDs, which already account for nearly 30 percent of deaths nationwide and threaten to overwhelm health facilities. It would also encourage product reformulation, pushing beverage manufacturers to reduce sugar content and, in turn, promote healthier diets.”
Furthermore, the NGO advised the government to expand and strengthen tobacco and alcohol taxes, ensuring rates are sufficiently high to discourage harmful consumption.
The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) kicked off on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Addis Ababa with powerful calls from African leaders for deeper collaboration, bold action, and investment to accelerate climate solutions across the continent.
In his opening remarks, President William Ruto of Kenya and host of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit warned against isolation in addressing the climate crisis, underscoring the urgent need for bold and sustained collaboration at the regional and global levels in the face of the escalating climate crisis.
Leaders at the opening of the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, September 8, 2025
The host of the summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, highlighted the continent’s potential to drive climate solutions and proposed the launch of an African Climate Innovation Compact bringing together universities, startups, rural communities, and innovators across the continent to deliver 1,000 African solutions by 2030 in areas such as energy, agriculture, transport, and resilience.
Prime Minister Abiy further emphasised the need for Africa to be viewed as an investment partner, urging global partners to invest in visionary African climate solutions, and replace climate aid with climate investment.
As the Summit begins, it sets the stage for critical discussions on finance, implementation, and Africa’s leadership in shaping global climate solutions. Leaders have also emphasised the importance of linking climate action with debt reform, fiscal space, nature restoration, and industrial transformation to ensure fair value for Africa’s resources and secure a resilient future.
The calls for collaboration from African leaders and references to improved investment and the intersecting climate and debt crises strengthen the case for international cooperation through the proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty. The Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal calls for global collaboration for a fair and financed transition from fossil fuels – specifically through debt alleviation, improved investment for renewable energy and alternatives for fossil fuel dependent nations. The Treaty would reinforce the Paris Agreement by providing a clearer pathway to transition within the 1.5C climate target.
Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns & Advocacy, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “It is clear that there is no shortage of solutions to the climate crisis on the African continent. We have an abundance of renewable energy potential to power our communities, drive development, while protecting our communities and ecosystems and equitably shifting away from fossil fuels. But Africa’s opportunities to harness its massive potential are mired by systemic barriers. As emphasised by President Ruto, the scale of the climate crisis calls for greater collaboration at all levels, to enhance partnerships that support local innovation.
“The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty can be the platform to build meaningful, just, international cooperation to make the equitable phase out of fossil fuels possible. The Treaty will prioritise mechanisms to finance a just transition to renewable energy in the Global South, while bringing communities, governments and other stakeholders closer together in a collective vision of change. The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty could unlock finance needed to scale African innovation, and secure investments into solutions geared at a just transition to renewable energy.”
The proposal for a Fossil Fuel Treaty is anchored in three pillars – a global just transition away from fossil fuels where wealthy nations provide technical support and finance for developing nations to transition and equitably expand renewable energy access, diversify their economies and harness alternative development pathways, a fair phase outwhich would require wealthy nations to phase out existing fossil fuel extraction first and fastest while providing support to fossil fuel dependent developing nations, and an end to the expansion of new fossil fuel projects.
As the 2nd Africa Climate Summit opens, Greenpeace Africa demands urgent action to implement a Global Polluter Pays Pact, and direct forest finance to Indigenous communities, positioning Africa as a moral leader in climate justice.
Dr. Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa, said: “Africa stands at a crossroads: either continue bearing the brutal costs of a crisis we did not create, or demand real justice. The world cannot preach climate justice while Africans pay with their lives and livelihoods. Climate justice without financial justice is an empty promise. Those who profited from pollution must pay for the damage — not trap Africa in debt.
“At the Africa Climate Summit, we demand binding taxes, polluter-pays rules, and direct access to climate finance. With 40% of the world’s renewable resources and unparalleled indigenous wisdom, Africa can and must lead the way in proving that climate justice is not charity, but accountability.”
Koaile Monaheng, Pan African Strategist at Greenpeace Africa, emphasised: “Illicit financial flows bleed $89 billion yearly from Africa – enough to build climate-resilient futures. The UN Tax Convention must end tax havens shielding polluters, while ensuring mobilised revenues are ringfenced to support just transitions across our communities, fill in the gap in climate finance and phase out fossil fuels. This isn’t charity; it’s restitution for ecological debt accumulated through exploitation.”
Central to Greenpeace Africa’s demands is a binding international mechanism to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the climate crisis- The Polluter Pays Pact. With just 100 corporations responsible for 71% of global emissions since 1988, and over 80% of people across 13 countries supporting polluter accountability, the Pact would ensure these entities contribute to Adaptation and Loss and Damage Funds needed to help frontline communities address the impacts of the climate crisis especially for African countries bearing the brunt of these climate disasters.
Amos Wemanya, Responsive Lead for Greenpeace Africa, stated: “While families bury loved ones after climate-fueled extreme weather events like floods and tornadoes, fossil fuel giants celebrate record profits. A binding tax treaty must force these corporations to pay into Loss and Damage Funds. Our polling shows over 80% global support – politicians must stop protecting polluters and start protecting people.”
Greenpeace Africa also calls for high-integrity forest solutions, recognising that African forests store approximately 171.8 billion tonnes of carbon and are best protected by indigenous peoples and local communities.
“Communities protect forests better than governments or carbon markets. Yet they receive pennies of climate finance. True forest solutions reject ‘degradation offsets’ and prioritise Indigenous rights,” Wemanya added.
These interconnected demands – tax justice, polluter accountability, and forest protection – form a comprehensive blueprint for climate justice at the Africa Climate Summit. Greenpeace Africa urges African leaders to commit to these mechanisms for a just transition.
“Without these three pillars, climate summits become performative theatre while Africa burns. Real solutions demand systemic courage – starting here, starting now,” concluded Dr. Keita.
The Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute (AGESI), a pioneering “do-tank” launched with its first office in Nigeria, is set to make a significant impact at the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2). The summit, which takes place in Addis Ababa from September 8-10, 2025, is a critical platform for accelerating climate action and financing Africa’s green development.
AGESI, known for its focus on translating climate ambition into tangible action, will be a key participant, contributing to the summit’s central theme of accelerating global climate solutions.
Dr. Eugene Itua, Executive Director of AGESI
AGESI’s Role at the Summit
AGESI’s engagement at ACS2 will highlight its strategic initiatives and actionable frameworks, particularly its new Africa Green Opportunity Index (GOI), designed to reframe Africa’s green transition from a narrative of vulnerability to one of economic opportunity. This index provides a new lens for investors and policymakers, helping to unlock the continent’s vast renewable energy and critical mineral potential.
In line with the summit’s objectives, AGESI will also participate in high-level discussions on mobilising climate finance and fostering cross-regional partnerships. The institute’s presence underscores its commitment to ensuring that Africa’s voice is unified and impactful in shaping global climate negotiations, particularly in the lead-up to COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
Through visionary leadership, policy reform, and sustainable investment, AGESI empowers leaders and communities to build a resilient and prosperous future. The institute was launched in Nigeria and works across the continent to turn climate commitments into tangible projects and scalable solutions.
Convened by the African Union Commission and the Government of Ethiopia, the Second Africa Climate Summit brings together heads of state, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to advance African-led climate solutions. The summit’s theme is “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing Africa’s Resilient and Green Development.”
The United Nations (UN) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting people affected by conflict to complement Government efforts.
Nigeria Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, made the submission in a statement on Sunday, September 7, 2025, against the backdrop of the killing of scores of civilians in Bama, Borno State.
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Fall
He expressed dismay over Friday’s reported killing of dozens of civilians in Darajamal Village, Bama Local Government Area (LGA), in Borno State in north-east Nigeria, saying: “I am deeply appalled and saddened. Civilians should never be a target!”
According to him, preliminary reports indicate that more than 50 civilians were killed when suspected members of a non-state armed group (NSAG) attacked Darajamal on the evening of September 5.
“An unknown number of people were also allegedly abducted, with others fleeing with injuries. At least 28 houses were also reportedly burned during the attack. The number of casualties is expected to change as more information becomes available,” he stated, adding:
“On behalf of the United Nations in Nigeria, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and those affected, and to the Government and the people of Borno State and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
“I call on security authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous attack and swiftly bring them to justice. I also call for the immediate release of all those abducted.”
He went further: “This recent killing of civilians is yet another grim reminder of the toll of rising violent attacks and insecurity in Borno State this year. Multiple attacks against civilians have been recorded, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians in Borno alone.
“The attacks, ranging from targeted attacks on communities to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, using improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings and other tactics have targeted civilians including farmers, fishermen, travelers and traders.
“Deadly attacks against civilians have also been recorded in neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states with a rural health centre, grain stores and a market among targeted areas.
“I reiterate my call to parties to the conflict to protect civilians as well as their property and to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law.”
In commemoration of World Literacy Day 2025, Heirs Energies Ltd., Africa’s leading indigenous integrated energy company, and the World Literacy Foundation (WLF), a global non-profit dedicated to eradicating illiteracy, on Sunday, September 7, 2025, announced the launch of the Sun Books Literacy Initiative in Rivers State, Nigeria.
The initiative will directly benefit more than 500 pupils at Central State Primary School, Omuohia-Igwuruta, and Umuebulu Primary School, Umuebulu, both located within Heirs Energies’ OML 17 host communities. Pupils will receive solar-powered Sun Books tablets, preloaded with culturally relevant, curriculum-aligned literacy content and interactive learning modules.
Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Energies, Mr. Osa Igiehon
Solar panels will also be installed in the schools to ensure uninterrupted power for the devices and classrooms, creating sustainable access to education in resource-limited environments.
Globally, more than 770 million people still lack basic literacy skills, with millions of African children facing barriers to education daily. In Nigeria, UNESCO estimates that one in three children cannot read or write at the expected level by age 10, with rural areas and girls most severely affected.
The Sun Books programme is designed to address these structural gaps by providing offline-first digital learning tools that work in low-infrastructure settings. Teachers in participating schools will also receive hands-on training to integrate digital literacy into classroom instruction, ensuring continuity of learning and stronger long-term outcomes.
Originally piloted in Uganda, Sun Books has already reached over 17,000 children, trained more than 280 teachers, and supported over 48,000 families across Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
Osa Igiehon, CEO of Heirs Energies, reaffirmed the company’s long-term vision for community empowerment:
“As an integrated energy company, we know that renewable and sustainable energy must serve a greater purpose – building stronger, more resilient communities. Our investment in literacy is an investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. This initiative reflects our Africapitalism philosophy – creating social good while delivering economic value. With Sun Books, we are empowering children to dream beyond their circumstances and equipping teachers with tools to make learning engaging and inclusive.”
Mr. Andrew Kay, CEO of the World Literacy Foundation, underscored the global significance of the collaboration: “This partnership with Heirs Energies demonstrates the power of cross-sector collaboration. By combining renewable energy and digital learning, we are providing children with the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed – regardless of geography or circumstance. Together, we are closing the literacy gap in underserved communities and preparing the next generation for the digital economy.”
Adding the community perspective, Dr. Samuel Amaechi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, OML 17 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) Board of Trustees, said: “This initiative shows what is possible when companies listen to their host communities and act in partnership. Education is the greatest legacy we can give our children. With the Sun Books programme, our schools now have the tools to prepare them for the future. We thank Heirs Energies and the World Literacy Foundation for investing in our children and in the long-term prosperity of our communities.”
The Sun Books Literacy Initiative serves as the launchpad for Heirs Energies’ Power Schools Initiative, which aims to deploy clean energy and digital infrastructure across schools in its host communities.
It also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy), reinforcing both organisations’ shared commitment to building inclusive, sustainable, and knowledge-driven societies.
Car exhaust. Factory smoke. Wildfire haze. Chances are, no matter where on Earth you live, you’re exposed to some form of air pollution almost every day.
The consequences of this pollution can be debilitating – and deadly. Air pollution caused 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021 alone, found one prominent study.
The WHO says that, in one year, 46,750 persons died as a result of outdoor pollution in Nigeria
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, the world celebrated the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, which showcases solutions to air pollution. The theme this year is “Racing for Air”, which reflects the urgent need to address what United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called a “global emergency.” It is also a nod to the growing supportfor clean air among sports associations.
Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, the day aims to strengthen international cooperation in improving air quality and reducing air pollution, recognising the critical importance of clean air for human health and the environment. It emphasises the need for collective efforts from governments, corporations, and individuals to address air quality issues and promote sustainable practices.
“Just like athletes, we all need clean air to move, perform and thrive,” says Steven Stone, the Deputy Director of the Industry and Economy Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “Clean air supports healthy people, resilient communities, strong economies and a healthier planet.”
As the world commemorates the International Day of Clean Air, here’s a look at what air pollution is, why it’s harmful and what can be done about it.
Air pollution comes in many forms
There are two main types of air pollution: indoor and outdoor.
Indoor air pollution comes chiefly from the burning of wood, charcoal, animal dung and other so-called “solid fuels” which are used by billions around the world for cooking. When these fuels are set ablaze, they release microscopic specs of dust, soot and black carbon, which are collectively known as fine particulate matter.
Outdoor air pollution comes from an array of sources, including factories, motor vehicles – even forest fires and dust storms. Experts say the most concerning pollutants are:
PM 10 and its smaller cousin PM 2.5, two types of fine particulate matter that often spring from the burning of fossil fuels;
carbon monoxide, an odourless gas that commonly comes from the combustion of wood, kerosene and charcoal;
ground-level ozone, a major component of smog that is created when sunlight comes into contact with certain gasses; and
nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, two compounds often produced by fossil-fuel-burning factories and vehicles.
Air pollution is everywhere
Ninety-nine per cent of people on Earth breathe air the World Health Organisation considers polluted.
Air pollution is terrible for human health
Particles less than 10 microns in size – also known as PM10 – can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and damaging the lining of the respiratory tract. PM2.5 is even more problematic. These particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream, where they can affect every organ in the body. Air pollution has been linked to a range of serious health problems, including pneumonia, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and stillbirths.
Air pollution can be deadly
In 2021, air pollution led to more than 8.1 million premature deaths, found a study by the non-profit Health Effects Institute. That is more than one in eight deaths worldwide. More than 700,000 of the fatalities were in children under five.
Air pollution can make popular pastimes, like playing sports, impossible.
Air pollution has imperiled major sports events everywhere from Canada to India, with spiking levels of contaminants like PM2.5 posing a risk to players. That’s in part why sports governing bodies have joined the push for cleaner air, including World Athletics, which sanctions track and field events. It has installed air quality sensors around stadiums to detect poor air quality, especially risky to runners.
Air pollution feeds the climate crisis
Many of the same substances that make people sick also trap heat near the Earth’s surface, stoking climate change. In fact, research suggests these so-called super pollutants – which include methane and black carbon – are responsible for a large percentage of global warming to date.
Reducing air pollution can save lives and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 goals are humanity’s blueprint for a better future and several hinge on reducing air pollution. Reining in airborne toxins can, obviously, help improve public health (SDG3). It can also counter poverty (SGD1) by allowing workers to be more productive and reducing the number of lost work days. It can help reduce inequalities (SDG10) because vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, tend to suffer the most from dirty air. Tackling air pollution can even help counter hunger (SDG2). One common airborne pollutant, ground-level ozone, inhibits the growth of crops.
Ending air pollution requires international cooperation
Air pollutants can travel across borders, with ozone and some types of particulate matter capable of radiating out hundreds or thousands of kilometres from their source. That’s why experts say the only way to tackle air pollution at scale is for countries to share their knowledge, align their strategies and mobilize their resources in partnership with each other.
Air pollution is avoidable
Since air pollution comes in many forms, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But there are some simple, cost-effective things cities and countries can do to begin to address the problem. Those include:
build robust air pollution monitoring systems to inform data-driven policies and early warning systems;
share real-time air quality data with the public in an easy-to-understand way;
limit emissions from known sources of pollution through laws and regulations;
map out the economic benefits of addressing air pollution, which often far exceed the costs; and
strengthen the institutions designed to address air pollution.
Businesses and individuals also have an important role to play in the campaign against air pollution, says UNEP’s Stone.
“We’re going to need everyone pulling together if we’re going to win the race to clean air,” he says.
A recent report from the World Bank found that integrated policies targeting the heating, cooking, transportation, agriculture and waste sectors could halve the number of people globally exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution.
The United Nations is working hard to counter air pollution
The UN has spent decades helping countries, cities and communities tackle this crisis. Partnerships among key stakeholders have been powerful in supporting efforts to beat air pollution. Those initiatives include the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and BreatheLife.
The UN has also come together under the Common Approach to a Pollution-Free Planet. This framework is designed to help UN bodies collectively address pollution challenges through their respective mandates, thus leading to more impact, with the goal of ensuring a clean, healthy, sustainable environment for everyone on Earth.
