Air pollution killing nine million a year as warming worsens air quality worldwide, UN report warns

Published on : 10 Dec 2025, 8:44 am Listen to this article Summary

Nearly 99% of people worldwide are exposed to harmful air pollution, the UN says.

Pollution contributes to nine million deaths annually, mostly in low- and middle-income nations.

Climate change is intensifying wildfires, waste emissions and the formation of dangerous particles.

Cities such as Delhi, Tehran and Lagos continue to record high PM2.5 levels despite global declines.

UNEP warns climate, pollution and biodiversity crises are now costing trillions of dollars each year.

Air pollution and climate change are reinforcing one another in a “vicious cycle” with devastating consequences for human health and ecosystems, a United Nations report has found, with nine million deaths each year linked to pollution-re