Wednesday, May 27, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
Pollutants Must Be Reduced to Deter Climate Change & Bad Health
- There is an urgent need to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) which contribute to climate change and ill-health, says the World Health Organization (WHO) in its new report.
The report, Reducing Global Health Risks through Mitigation of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, released on Oct. 22, reveals the negative effects of SLCPs with a particular focus on black carbon, ozone, and methane.
The pollutants are directly and indirectly associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as premature death and morbidity, the report noted.
“Every day, these pollutants threaten the health of men, women and children,” said Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO’s Assistant Director-General.
SLCP emissions contribute to more than 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution.
An estimated 80 percent of black carbon emissions derive from fuel combustion in residential and commercial buildings as well as transportation, directly contributing to air pollution and thus negative health outcomes.
Black carbon emissions also increase the pace of snow and ice melt, while both black carbon and ozone pollutants reduce plant productivity, exacerbating climate change and increasing food insecurity.
For instance, a study of four staple crops including maize and rice estimated that current ozone levels lead to yield losses of 3-16 percent.
Methane, produced by agriculture and waste management including food waste, contributes to ozone formation which adversely impacts respiratory health.
In collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, WHO provides recommended actions to reduce emissions. Interventions will mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce disease and death, contribute to food security, improve diets, and increase physical activity, the report stated.
WHO rated more than 20 interventions that reduce SLCP emissions and improve health. Of the 20, the organization underscored four effective interventions: promote mass transit; encourage healthy diets; provide low-emission stoves and; enact stricter vehicle emissions.
According to the report, investments and policies prioritizing mass transit will lead to increased physical activity, safer travel and reduced health risks from air and noise pollution.
It also highlights the role of nutritious plant-based food consumption in reducing heart diseases, cancers, and slow methane emissions caused by animal-sourced foods.
The provision of cleaner stoves and fuel alternatives will help almost 2.8 billion low-income households globally who continue to depend on wood and other fuels for heating and cooking. This transition will help reduce air pollution and associated cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, the report noted.
WHO also emphasized the need to implement stricter emissions and efficiency standards on vehicles. This will reduce SLCPs. including black carbon, improve air quality, and reduce negative health outcomes.
On the recommended actions, WHO Director of the Public Health and Environment Department Maria Neira said: “The health benefits that may be obtained from these strategies are far larger than previously understood, and they can be enjoyed immediately and locally.”
“The environment and health sectors can now prioritize interventions to meet both of their goals—preventing climate change and ensuring good health,” she continued.
As part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a specific target is dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals as well as air, water, and soil pollution.
Previous WHO studies have already shown the positive health outcomes from the use of active transport such as mass transit and public cycling networks.
The recently signed Milan Urban Food Policy Pact aims to reduce greenhouse emissions including methane by targeting agriculture and food waste in over 100 cities around the world.
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