Climate change, air pollution, pollen and health – World Health Organization (WHO)

Report on the Interlinked Health Impacts of Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Aeroallergens

Executive Summary

A technical brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) elucidates the synergistic threats posed by air pollution, climate change, and biological allergens such as pollen. These combined factors exacerbate inflammatory and allergic health conditions, creating significant challenges for public health systems and undermining progress toward several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines the key findings, emphasizing the direct implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Addressing this complex environmental health nexus requires integrated policy actions informed by robust scientific evidence and multi-stakeholder collaboration, in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Analysis of Environmental Health Stressors and SDG Implications

Impact on Public Health and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The convergence of climate change and air pollution significantly worsens human health outcomes, directly impacting the achievement of SDG 3. The primary health consequences include:

• Aggravation of Respiratory Illnesses: The well-established link between air pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter, and diseases like asthma is intensified by climate-driven changes in pollutant concentration and distribution.
• Increased Allergic Conditions: Climate change contributes to earlier, longer, and more intense pollen seasons. Elevated carbon dioxide levels and temperatures stimulate greater pollen production, while particulate matter can increase the allergenicity of pollen grains, leading to more severe allergy symptoms.
• Systemic Strain on Healthcare: The rising incidence and severity of these respiratory and allergic conditions place a considerable burden on healthcare infrastructure and resources, compromising the quality of life for affected populations.

These outcomes present a direct challenge to SDG Target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

Environmental Drivers and their Link to SDG 11 and SDG 13

The health impacts are driven by specific environmental changes that are central to SDG 11 and SDG 13.

1. Climate Change (SDG 13): Rising global temperatures and increased atmospheric CO2 levels are primary catalysts. These factors directly alter plant biology, leading to changes in pollen seasons and production, thereby intensifying a major public health challenge. This underscores the need to integrate climate change measures into national policies, as called for in SDG Target 13.2.
2. Air Pollution (SDG 11): The presence of pollutants, particularly particulate matter in urban and industrial areas, not only harms respiratory health directly but also acts as a carrier for pollen and enhances its allergenic potential. This dynamic highlights the critical importance of SDG Target 11.6, which focuses on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, with special attention to air quality.

Frameworks for Policy and Collaborative Action

WHO Science and Policy Summaries (SPS)

To support evidence-based decision-making, the WHO has developed the Air Quality, Energy, and Health Science and Policy Summaries (SPS). The technical brief, “Climate change, air pollution, pollen and health,” is part of this series. The SPS initiative provides policymakers with concise, scientifically-grounded overviews to formulate effective strategies that protect public health from environmental threats, thereby facilitating the implementation of the SDGs.

Multi-stakeholder Collaboration and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The development of the SPS series exemplifies the collaborative approach essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda, as championed by SDG 17. The process involves a comprehensive multi-stakeholder consultation that brings together diverse expertise. Key partners include:

• The WHO Scientific Advisory Group on Air Pollution and Health (SAG)
• The Global Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG)
• WHO Collaborating Centres
• Fellow UN agencies
• Specialists from academia and civil society

This partnership model is fundamental to addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, pollution, and health, ensuring that solutions are holistic, effective, and sustainable.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s primary focus is on the negative health impacts of air pollution and climate change, such as the increase in “inflammatory and allergic conditions,” worsening “diseases such as asthma,” and the overall reduction in “quality of life.” This directly connects to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article explicitly mentions “outdoor pollutants like ground-level ozone and particulate matter,” which are major issues in urban environments. Furthermore, it links to a WHO working group named the “SDG 11.6.2 working group,” confirming the relevance of this goal concerning urban air quality.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article establishes a clear causal link between climate change and worsening health issues. It states that climate change “alters the levels and distribution of outdoor pollutants” and that “rising carbon dioxide levels and higher temperatures caused by climate change result in earlier and longer pollen seasons.” This highlights the urgent need for climate action to mitigate these health-related consequences.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article directly addresses this target by discussing how “air pollution and climate change together worsen the health impacts of allergens,” leading to “increased inflammatory and allergic conditions” and “more severe respiratory conditions.”
2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The article’s mention of these combined factors “placing greater strain on healthcare systems” implies the need to strengthen the capacity to manage the growing health risks associated with air pollution and climate change.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality… The article’s focus on “outdoor pollutants like ground-level ozone and particulate matter” directly relates to improving urban air quality to reduce adverse environmental impacts on citizens.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The worsening of allergic and respiratory conditions due to climate-induced changes in pollen and pollutants represents a climate-related health hazard. The article’s purpose is to inform actions that build resilience against these health impacts.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Implied Indicator for Target 3.9: The article discusses the increase in “inflammatory and allergic conditions” and “diseases such as asthma.” Therefore, the prevalence and incidence rates of these specific respiratory and allergic diseases could serve as indicators to measure progress in reducing illnesses from air pollution.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Indicator for Target 11.6 (Implied by reference): The article mentions “particulate matter” as a key pollutant. This directly relates to Indicator 11.6.2: “Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities.” The reference to the “SDG 11.6.2 working group” further solidifies this connection.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Implied Indicators for Target 13.1: The article points to several environmental changes that drive health impacts. These could be used as indicators to track climate-related hazards:
   • Levels of “rising carbon dioxide.”
   • Measurements of “higher temperatures.”
   • Duration and timing of “earlier and longer pollen seasons.”
   • Volume of “greater pollen production.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int