Air Quality
Air pollution is the world’s number one environmental health risk, linked to more than 7 million deaths every year. But the impacts of worsening air pollution extend beyond human health, affecting climate change, the water cycle, and even energy and food production.
![](https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/air-pollution-1_0.png)
The sources and causes of air pollution are complex, varying between places, across seasons and over time. WRI is working to shift the conversation from how bad the air is to what’s causing pollution and what can be done about it.
![](https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/air-pollution-2_0.png)
We are using science to unravel the air pollution knot to better understand and address source emissions and other factors.
Our working strategy is a combination of sound evidence and political strategy to move from awareness to effective action. Scientists are generating evidence that is striking but unevenly distributed and disconnected from the narratives that move politics and sustain pressure for action.
We need to build the evidence base with a specific focus on evidence that drives action by making the problem more salient, helping groups see and organize around common causes, directing effort to the right places, and allowing courts and regulators to function.
WRI's integrated, global clean air strategy combines the work of the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, Climate Program, Energy Program, Governance Center, ResourceWatch and more.
ResourceWatch, in partnership with OpenAQ and others, is one way WRI is helping to improve access to air quality data.
Top Air Quality Outcomes
What's a top outcome?
Top outcomes are WRI's biggest success stories. They occur when our analysis, solutions, or partnerships result in significant change in the world.
Featured Expert
![](https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/styles/profile/public/beatriz-cardenas-1.jpg?HCm.KAMId78PNO9Dp6p5C7HqqxhA5v6h&itok=xXs04vos)
Beatriz Cardenas
New in Air Quality
All
Air Quality Projects
Data Analytics
-
Power Explorer
Providing globally open data about power plants to increase transparency and help understand the environmental effects of power production
-
-
Global Forest Watch
A dynamic online forest monitoring and alert system that empowers people everywhere to better manage forests.
Mobilizing Action
-
The Coalition for Urban Transitions
A global collaboration to support national governments to address pressing economic, inequality and climate challenges by making their cities livable and sustainable.
-
Advancing Community-Driven Solutions for Clean Air and Water
Ensuring that poor, vulnerable communities everywhere have the voice, power and information to protect their right to a safe, clean and healthy environment
-
Open Government Partnership
Promoting citizen-centered governance by increasing civic participation, improving transparency and strengthening accountability
-
The Access Initiative (TAI)
Ensuring that citizens have the right and ability to influence decisions about their natural resources.
Emissions Reduction
-
-
Building Efficiency Accelerator
Innovative public-private collaboration speeds the development and implementation of building efficiency policies and practices.
-
Beijing Low-Emission Zone
WRI China is supporting Beijing in the city’s implementation of an innovative low-emission zone to reduce air pollution and associated public health costs, among other effects.
-
-
Better Buying Lab
A new initiative to research and scale cutting-edge strategies that enable consumers to choose more sustainable foods
-
-
New Climate Economy
Bringing together some of the world’s foremost economic experts to contribute to the global debate about climate change and economic policy, and to inform government, business and investment decisions.
Experts
-
Jessica Seddon
Global Lead, Air Quality, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities -
Beatriz Cardenas
Air Quality Director and Global Air Quality Co-Lead, WRI Mexico -
David Waskow
Director, International Climate Initiative -
Carole Excell
Director, Environmental Democracy Practice -
Wee Kean Fong
Deputy Country Director, WRI China -
Cristina Albuquerque
Urban Mobility Manager, WRI Brasil Ross Center for Sustainable Cities -
Elizabeth Moses
Environmental Rights and Justice Associate II, Environmental Democracy Practice -
Luiza Oliveira
Urban Development Coordinator, WRI Brasil Ross Center for Sustainable Cities -
Katherine Ross
Associate -
Su Song
Research Associate, WRI China Ross Center for Sustainable Cities -
Anindita Nur Annisa
Research Assistant, Energy And Land Use, WRI Indonesia -
Tania López
Air Quality Coordinator, WRI México -
Mercedes Escobar
Consultant in Air Quality and Urbanism, WRI México -
Almo Pradana
Senior Manager, Energy & Climate, WRI Indonesia -
Sergio Duarte
Economic Analysis Coordinator for Air Quality, WRI México -
Mitchell Abuan
Grants and Finance Specialist II, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities -
Beth Elliott
Communications and Engagement Lead, Air Quality, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities -
Ken Wakabayashi
Research Analyst, Air Quality, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
In the Distance: Clean Air Post-COVID-19
The evidence on the science of pollution sources and the political economy of air quality action points to three steps that can help make a clean-air future a reality.