J. Indoor Air Quality and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of 17 interconnected objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 to address a wide range of global challenges and ensure a more sustainable and equitable future for all. These goals encompass diverse areas such as poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, affordable and clean energy, decent work, and climate action, among others. These goals aim to tackle both social and environmental issues, with a focus on eradicating poverty and inequality while safeguarding the planet's ecosystems. They provide a universal framework for governments, organisations, and individuals to collaborate and take concerted actions to create positive and lasting impacts on people's lives and the planet we share.

IAQ is intricately linked to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting its profound impact on global health and environmental sustainability. The World Health Organisation plays a significant role by aligning its efforts with these international commitments. As the custodian agency for reporting on SDG indicator 7.1.2, the World Health Organisation maintains the global household energy database to monitor the transition to cleaner fuels and stove combinations in households, addressing the urgent need to increase global clean fuels and technologies usage.

IAQ interventions are also paramount for Goal Area 3 which focuses on promoting healthier living environments and addressing targets related to preventable deaths in new-borns and children, reducing non-communicable disease mortality, and minimising deaths and illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals and pollution. The World Health Organisation also support assessments of disease burden caused by household air pollution stemming from polluting fuels and technologies, highlighting the direct link between IAQ and SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being.

Achieving targets set out in Goal Area 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities – also requires IAQ interventions in order to support the development of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. Several key targets, including ensuring access to safe housing and basic services, providing sustainable transport systems, and addressing air quality concerns, underscore the significance of IAQ improvements within the urban context.

Moreover, Goal Area 3 – Climate Action – holds a critical perspective on the role of IAQ in mitigating the impacts of climate change. This is underscored by the focus of targets 13.2 and 13.3, which emphasise the integration of climate change measures into policies and the enhancement of awareness. Given that indoor air pollution stands as a significant contributor to ambient air pollution, there is a critical imperative to intertwine climate action with IAQ initiatives.

The international normative framework for addressing air quality, both in a broader sense and with specific regard to IAQ, is anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals and the guidelines set forth by the World Health Organization, along with other pertinent technical documents. This framework not only guides European legislation but also shapes the global understanding of the importance of air quality management.