The private sector and efforts to reduce pollution

Outdoor air pollution has significant health impacts and is primarily caused by pollutants and suspended particulate matter (commonly referred to as PM2.5), invisible, harmful particles that can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer.

The World Health Organization says that air pollution-related health issues are responsible for about 4.2 million premature deaths each year. According to the Global Burden of Disease Project, outdoor air pollution is associated with increased deaths from HIV, drinking unclean water, or contracting malaria. In addition, the number of deaths caused by air pollution-related diseases is far higher than the number of deaths caused by the “Covid-19” virus.

However, unlike the coronavirus, scientific research shows that air pollutants have a devastating impact on children, causing them to develop asthma and affecting their lung and neurological function. Low-income communities are also disproportionately affected because they are more likely to live in areas with high pollution, leading to poor health and poorer health care access.

Tackling air pollution will not only save lives, but also make it even more important to join forces to combat climate change. The causes of climate change are often the same as air pollution: emissions from transport, the energy sector and industry. By raising public and political awareness of the health effects of air pollution, we can accelerate action for climate protection and improved public health.

In the past few months, some studies have shown that the strict lockdown measures in major cities due to the new crown have had a positive short-term impact on air quality, for example, the percentage of suspended particulate matter has dropped by 25% in New York, 32% in Sao Paulo, 60% in Delhi, and 54% in Seoul. However, as businesses resume and lockdown measures are relaxed, pollution levels are beginning to return to pre-new crown virus levels.

We have the opportunity to support a green recovery and improve environmental conditions, or continue with old habits that will permanently damage our fragile systems. We must learn the lessons of the lockdown, support efforts to improve air quality, and ensure that the economic recovery helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The various business and manufacturing sectors play an important role in reducing air pollution as many of their activities generate emissions. These sectors contribute to the problem as well as provide solutions as their role is necessary to reduce pollution rates and develop technologies that can help improve air quality. It is also important to create a space where the scientific community, policymakers, and government officials can be consulted and develop the necessary strategies to reduce pollution.

There are a number of steps the private sector can take to help achieve this goal, including increasing awareness programmes on the importance of maintaining clean air in corporate social responsibility activities and measuring pollution levels left behind by supply chains or manufacturing processes.

The scale, complexity and urgency of addressing air pollution require further concerted efforts to expand public-private dialogue and cooperation in the energy, transportation and health sectors.

* Swiss author (World Economic Forum)