Air Pollution Claims 5.7 Million Lives Annually
The World Bank revealed that air pollution leads to approximately 5.7 million deaths each year, with 95% of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The bank's latest report, Accelerating Access to Clean Air on a Livable Planet, highlights that air pollution costs the global economy about 5% of GDP, impacting health, productivity, and life expectancy, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency
The report emphasizes that an integrated approach—combining policies for energy independence, emission reduction, and air quality improvement—could halve the number of people exposed to unhealthy air by 2040. It stresses the importance of accurate data systems for monitoring air quality and evaluating policy effectiveness.
Furthermore, integrated pollution management policies could deliver economic benefits of up to $2.4 trillion by 2040, offering a cost-effective solution to reduce harmful emissions and enhance public health.
