Strengthening the Linkages Between Air Pollution and the Sustainable Development Goals

This policy brief analyzes the position of air pollution in the SDGs, and makes recommendations for how air pollution could be better integrated into SDG implementation. The SDGs, with 17 goals, 169 targets, and even more indicators, were criticized by some for having too many goals and lacking a clear sense of priorities. However, this policy brief argues that although air pollution is responsible for 7 million premature deaths per year, it was not well emphasized, suggesting that the SDGs are not as comprehensive as they seem. Nevertheless, it concludes that there is still room to incorporate air pollution more concretely and systematically in the SDG implementation process, especially at the regional, national, and local levels, although the SDGs themselves have already been agreed. It is hoped that this policy brief can promote better understanding of the SDGs within the air pollution community, and better understanding of air pollution by the SDG community.