Clean Air and the Sustainable Development Goals

Air Pollution and Impacts on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Air pollution is a threat to economic, environmental and social systems alike. This means that strategies aimed at the improvement of air quality interact directly with climate mitigation targets, access to clean energy, waste reduction and other socio-economic development. 

In 2015, Canada and all of the United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 SDGs. The goals recognize that improving the quality of life for everyone goes hand-in-hand with strategies that spur economic growth and are interconnected with initiatives that tackle the protection of the environment. RCEN has a vested interest in helping Canada further the SDGs.

As an interconnected global framework, the SDGs provide a way to conceptualize and work collaboratively across sectors.

Air pollution is directly mentioned in two SDG targets: SDG 3.9 (substantial reduction of health impacts from hazardous substances) and SDG 11.6 (reduction of adverse impacts of cities and people). But if we look closer, its implications on other goals can also be considerable.

Below, we’ve gathered examples and information on how air quality relates to each goal and specific targets. Use this information to connect your organization’s missions, mandates and activities to air pollution in preparation for Clean Air Day on June 8th, 2022