In this official side event at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) the critical issue of air pollution and how it impacts on public health and climate change is addressed. The event is free to attend and open to all. Pre-registration required.
Air pollution is a critical issue, exacerbated by urbanization and poverty, that impacts public health and contributes to climate change. With many cities failing to meet the World Health Organization’s air quality standards, pollutants like black carbon and sulphur dioxide harm both humans and the environment. This growing problem underscores the urgency highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 – No Poverty, which addresses poverty and urbanization, and SDG 13 – Climate Action, which focuses on climate change impacts, especially on vulnerable populations. Despite the severity of these threats, there is a lack of publicly available information on emissions exposure in poor communities, and regulatory guidelines often do not address local or cross-border issues effectively.
This side event organised by the University of Bergen and the International Association of Universities (IAU), with the International Science Council and other partners, aligns with the 2024 High-Level Political Forum’s theme of “Eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises” by focusing on SDG 1 and SDG 13. It aims to foster collaboration among marginalized communities, governments, academia, and the private sector to improve the measurement and monitoring of community-level emissions. The event features experts from various sectors, including academia, NGOs, and technology startups, who will discuss policies, technologies, and community-driven practices to tackle emissions. The discussion includes case studies from the United States, South Africa, and Germany, and presents findings from a long-term study on low-cost air monitors in poor communities. The panel will provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and academia to enhance emission measurement and monitoring, ultimately supporting efforts to alleviate poverty and address climate change.
A light lunch will be served at the side event.
The event can be attended in person and watched online. Registration closes 15 July 10:00 PM UTC.
Photo by Ella Ivanescu on Unsplash
