The very first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is today, the 7th September 2020.
Clean air is a vital part of a healthy city. According to IQAir, Cape Town is the 5th cleanest destination in South Africa for air quality, and the best of the major South African cities.
We must do everything we can do ensure that our air quality is protected and improved.
The Day aims to:
- Raise public awareness at all levels—individual, community, corporate and government—that clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment.
- Demonstrate the close link of air quality to other environmental/developmental challenges such as – most and foremost – climate change and the global Sustainable Development Goals.
- Promote and facilitate solutions that improve air quality by sharing actionable knowledge best practices, innovations, and success stories.
- Bring together diverse international actors working on this topic to form a strategic alliance to gain momentum for concerted national, regional and international approaches for effective air quality management.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution to hold an International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on December 19, 2019, during its 74th session and invited the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to facilitate the observance of the International Day, in collaboration with other relevant organizations. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) worked with UNEP and the Republic of Korea to advocate for the day in the lead up to the decision.
WHO is working with BreatheLife partners to coordinate activities for the day.
The first celebration will set a precedent for an important and exciting new international day for clean air to be celebrated annually.
