International Day of Clean Air for blue skies | UPSC

• The very first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies will be held on September 7th, 2020.

AIM

1. RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS : Individual, community, corporate and government levels—that clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment.
2. FASTENING SDG’s : Demonstrate the close link of air quality to other environmental challenges such as – most and foremost – climate change and the global Sustainable Development Goals.
3. BEST PRACTISES : Promote and facilitate solutions that improve air quality by sharing actionable knowledge best practices, innovations, and success stories.
4. DRIVING MOMENTUM : Bring together diverse international actors working on this topic to form a strategic alliance to gain momentum for responsible stakeholders.

RESOLUTION

• 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.

• 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.

CELEBRATION AT NATIONAL LEVEL

• UN Member States recognize the need to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination by 2030.
• This will have per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management by 2030.

• 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 disproportionately affects women, children and older persons, and also has a negative impact on ecosystems.
• CSE called for build ambition for zero emission targets by promoting electric vehicles.

AT NATIONAL LEVEL

• About 20-30 per cent reduction in particulate pollution in non-attainment cities by 2024.

THIS CAN BE POSSIBLE WITH

• Linking scrappage policy with electric vehicle transition .
• The need for state governments to set milestones to implement electric vehicle policy.

PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT

• The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected public transport.
• A revival plan is needed to reduce transport sector emissions.

• But the public transport systems have nearly collapsed in cities.- CSE
• At least 81 per cent of state bus operators have reported no ridership at all during the lockdown phases.
• The pandemic is cutting down the existing capacity by more than half.