In Switzerland – like in Europe and Northern America - air quality very much improved due to successful clean air policy making. Most Asian, African and South American cities experienced continued deterioration and often extreme air pollution that damages people’s health.

General info: With more than 4 Million deaths, ambient air pollution is the single largest but preventable health threat. The implementation of clean air policies are highly effective to reach the clean air targets as defined by the World Health Organization in their Air Quality Guidelines. According to estimates of the World Bank the costs of clean air policies are far lower than the economic consequences of ambient air pollution due to its substantial impact on public health, crops as well as infrastructures.

Swiss context info: Switzerland belongs to the very few countries in the world where the science based WHO Air Quality Guideline values are the legally binding clean air standards. Counties are responsible for the adoption of clean air management plans to reach the goals. Progress has been formidable over the past 30 years. As of 2020, air quality at the busiest roads in Swiss cities is better than it was 30 years ago in pristine alpine towns. For some pollutants, compliance with the 2005 Air Quality Guideline values of WHO has been achieved in all sites, including hot spots. Further improvements are foreseeable given the fast move toward cleaner technologies including e-mobility.

References