Global funding explicitly targeting outdoor air quality reached $4.7 billion in 2023-24, an increase of $1.7 billion from the previous year. This rise means outdoor air quality spending now matches “fossil fuel-prolonging” spending, which fell by 48% in 2024.
Despite this short-term gain, targeted clean air funding constitutes less than 1% of total international development aid. The report highlights that polluted low-income regions, heavily indebted countries, and high-impact super pollutants like black carbon and ground-level ozone remain severely underfunded. Furthermore, 89% of clean air funding between 2020 and 2024 was provided as loans, posing financial challenges for indebted nations.
Long-term trends indicate a decline, with a 6% drop in clean air funding in 2024 marking the first annual decrease in five years. Investments in broader climate and infrastructure projects that indirectly improve air quality also fell by 13% in 2024. Donors are advised to embed explicit air quality goals across all climate and development portfolios.
Source: Down To Earth