Building bridges in Bogotá: Reflections from the WHO Air Quality Conference

The second World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Conference on Air Quality and Health in Bogotá, Colombia, bringing together leaders and experts to discuss improving air quality to protect public health across the globe.

At the conference the WHO launched an urgent call to action for countries to commit to cut by 50% the health impacts of air pollution by 2040. The conference was an important step in aligning science, civil society, policy and funding around this target. This launch was supported by powerful personal stories from those impacted by air pollution, shared by health professionals, community leaders and individuals. These were sobering reminders of why we do what we do.

Ricardo had the invaluable opportunity to connect in person with over 80 key figures from organisations such as the WHO, WMO, Clean Air Fund, CCAC, World Bank, EDF, and UK government, and to contribute to our expertise to discussions across a number of different topics and sessions (see image below of Oriol delivering a presentation about ‘Delivering data tools to identify sources and generate local actionable information for decision-makers and public health’).

Working on air quality can feel very siloed but what was encouraging throughout the conference was the growing consensus that air quality, health and climate need to be tackled via interconnected approaches. Linking air pollution to both health and climate goals was a recurring theme, and it’s clear that this approach is unlocking new funding opportunities from both climate and health sectors.

One standout moment for us was the World Bank’s launch of their Global Flagship Report on Air Pollution, which outlines a viable path to halving global exposure to PM2.5 by 2040. The report reinforced the economic and social imperative of clean air – and underlined just how much more needs to be done in terms of policy and investment. We are hopeful this will be the impetus for more air quality funding to flow from the International Funding Institutions (IFIs), supporting countries to move forward with their air pollution reduction activities.

The final day was marked by leaders from around the world affirming their commitment to the WHO’s target of reducing the health impacts of air pollution by 50% by 2040. Countries and organizations resolved to advance policies, invest in clean air solutions, and foster international cooperation to tackle this pressing challenge. 

We left the event feeling optimistic. The Global Air Quality Cooperation Network under UNEA resolution 6/10, organised by UNEP, to strengthen international collaboration on air pollution looks to be gathering momentum and could be a great tool for pushing the WHO objective forward.  We are hopeful that with international development organisations fully behind the WHO target there will be the impetus needed for countries to act and much needed funding to flow to support mitigation activities. 

For Ricardo, this was a strategic milestone. We’re increasingly recognised as a go-to partner for complex, long-term air quality projects. As we look ahead, there’s huge potential for Ricardo to play a bigger role in shaping and delivering international air quality action. Whether through deeper engagement with international forums, delivering key projects for IFIs, or attending future WHO events, we are committed to play our role in the achievement for the WHO target.

Above: Jo and Oriol in front of the Pollution Pods. British artist Michael Pinsky invited public and participants to an immersive air pollution experience simulating different types of air pollution and sources.

Above: Oriol Teixido presenting on ‘Developing data tools to identify sources and generate local, actionable information for decision-makers and public health’

Above: Oriol with other participants of the Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report (TOAR) Working Group to discuss TOAR Roadmap 2025-2028 developed by Clean Air Institute for the Clean Air Fund.