Your September Briefing: It’s time to invest in #CleanAirNow

Air pollution knows no boundaries. Here's everything you need to know about this global health crisis, plus more from UNEP

In depth 

International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 

By working together across borders, sectors, and disciplines, lives and livelihoods can be saved and improved through collective investments of time, effort and resources. 

This year's International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, observed on 7 September, calls on everyone, everywhere to Invest in #CleanAirNow. 

UNEP at the UN General Assembly 

The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, taking place this month, is a watershed moment to focus on the role of international cooperation for people and the planet. UNEP’s participation will include events on plastic and air pollution, the One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance, looking ahead to COP16 on biodiversity, sustainable consumption and more.  

Whether it's phasing out unsafe leaded fuel or committing to protect life-sustaining biodiversity, ahead of September's Summit of the Future, here are key examples of when countries have come together to solve environmental challenges. 

Calling scientists working on the triple planetary crisis

UNEP is seeking external reviewers to provide feedback as part of the Global Environment Outlook 7 process. Apply by 30 September here: application portal. 

By the numbers

Steps for taking action.

Worth a watch  

Limiting temperature rise to 1.5 °C is possible if ambitious steps are taken. This video explains the role of carbon markets and the related Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 

Take action 

• Register your events  
• Download and share air pollution assets  
• Find critical data on the global state of air pollution 
• Steps you can take to promote cleaner air 
• Act now on the climate crisis 

Publications 

Beyond an age of waste - Turning rubbish into a resource: New guidance on how young people can play an active role in addressing the global waste problem. 

Mid-term Status on SDG 6 Indicators: The report reveals that the current rate of progress on clean water and sanitation is slow, with half of the world’s countries having degraded freshwater systems.  

See more publications 

Negotiations

• Registration is open for the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5), happening from 25 November to 1 December 2024. The deadline to register is 20 September.
• See the information note to participants
• Got questions? Check out the FAQs 

Reading list

• What is the life-cycle approach and how can it help tackle plastic pollution? 
• Inside the push to clean up one of Africa’s most polluted transit routes 
• Securing critical energy transition minerals for a net-zero future 
• Seven years of the Minamata Convention fighting toxic mercury and trade 

Mark your calendars 

16 September: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

20 September: World Cleanup Day 

22-23 September: United Nations Summit of the Future 

23-25 September: NDCs 3.0 Regional Forum for Middle East and North Africa 

25 September: UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on Sea Level Rise

26 September: UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance 

29 September: International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction 

Seen online 

If protecting and restoring the planet were a Paralympic game, who would take gold? With the Paralympics underway, swipe through to see some of the winning species, ecosystems, and critical issues.

Work with us 

Today's global environmental challenges can be overcome, but only with the best and the brightest on our team. Check out job vacancies, consultancy opportunities and more.

If you have questions or suggestions, please email us at unep-info@un.org.

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This newsletter is available in Spanish