The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is commemorated annually on 7 September in recognition of the fact that clean air is important for the health and day-to-day lives of people, while air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally. Air pollution also disproportionately affects women, children, and the elderly, especially in low-income populations that are exposed to indoor air pollution from cooking and heating.

By resolution 74/212 of 22 January 2020, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated the Day to emphasize the need to make further efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution, to protect human health.

The Day highlights the negative impact of air pollution on the economy, work productivity, healthcare costs, and tourism. Improving air quality can enhance climate change mitigation, and mitigation efforts can also improve air quality.

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date: 7 September 2024
location: worldwide
www: https://www.un.org/en/observances/clean-air-day