It is estimated that more than 1 billion people are exposed to outdoor air pollution annually. Urban air pollution is linked to up to 1 million premature deaths and 1 million pre-native deaths each year. Urban air pollution is estimated to cost approximately 2% of GDP in developed countries and 5% in developing countries. Rapid urbanisation has resulted in increasing urban air pollution in major cities, especially in developing countries. Over 90% of air pollution in cities in these countries is attributed to vehicle emissions brought about by high number of older vehicles coupled with poor vehicle maintenance, inadequate infrastructure and low fuel quality.

While most developed countries have put in measures to reduce vehicle emissions, in terms of fuel quality and vehicle emission reduction technologies, these measures are yet to be adopted in most cities in developing countries.

UNEP through the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles has been coordinating programmes that aim at reducing vehicular emissions in developing countries to improve urban air quality. UNEP and USEPA have also been supporting the establishment of air quality monitoring capacity in two cities in Africa.

To read more about the activities of the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles and to access maps on leaded petrol phase-out click here >>

Other useful links:
Air Pollution Information Network Africa (APINA)
DTIE Energy Branch, Transport Section
EST goes EAST Clearing House - promoting Environmentally Sustainable Transport in Central & Eastern Europe
Ozone pollution across Europe (Live map of ground-level ozone from the European Environment Agency)
Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV)
The European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT)
United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA)
UNEP, FIA Foundation Promote Safer, More Environmentally Friendly Roads
UNEP supports safe, eco-friendly road infrastructure in Africa
World Health Organization