Bridging Air Pollution, Climate Change, Energy, and Health

WHO Global Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG) and Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) on Air Pollution and Health meetings in Beijing, China

The world is experiencing unprecedented environmental health challenges exacerbated by rapid urbanization,
industrialization, and climate change. The adverse effects of air pollution, climate variability, and unsustainable energy
practices on public health demand urgent attention and action. The Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) on Air Pollution and Health and the Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG) were convened by WHO in 2019 and 2021 and act as advisory bodies to the WHO by providing programmatic (SAG) technical (GAPH-
TAG) guidance and inputs to support the organization’s work on various important areas. The meeting will
focus on ambient/indoor air pollution exposure, associated health effects, and co-benefits (e.g., climate) of mitigation
strategies. This meeting will provide a platform to:

• Synthesize the latest scientific evidence and policy developments in air pollution, climate change, energy, and
  health.
• Discuss ongoing activities and supports for the upcoming 2nd WHO Global Conference on Air Quality and
  Health.
• Foster dialogues among global experts, policymakers, and practitioners to identify integrated solutions.
• Promote collaboration and networking to accelerate the research and implementation of effective public health interventions.

Outcomes and Long-term Goals

The goal of the SAG and GAPH-TAG meeting is to advance the understanding of scientific evidence and catalyze sustained action and cooperation among global technical experts in air pollution, climate, energy, and health. Expected outcomes include:

• Enhanced Knowledge Exchange: Provide a platform to review and discuss the scientific evidence base to inform WHO’s work on air quality, climate mitigation, energy, and health.
• Strengthened Networks: Build a strong, collaborative network of experts and institutions dedicated to addressing the health impacts associated with air pollution, climate change, and unsustainable energy use.
• Actionable Outcomes: Develop strategic plans to advance WHO’s current/future efforts to mitigate the health impacts of relevant environmental risk factors.
• Capacity Building: Engagement of regional researchers through increased understanding, skills, and resources to generate scientific evidence needed for actions to improve air quality, mitigate climate impacts, and promote health.