Australia Spearheads Global UN Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air as a Human Right

Australia Leads Historic UN Initiative

Australia has taken a leading role in a significant global effort at the United Nations to recognize healthy indoor air as a fundamental human right. The initiative, spearheaded by the Australian Academy of Science and the Burnet Institute, culminated in the launch of the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air during a high-level side event at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York on September 24 (AEST) / September 23 (EDT).

The event, co-sponsored by France and Montenegro, also saw Brown University's School of Public Health and the OSLUV Project join as co-convenors alongside the Australian organizations.

The Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air

The Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air marks the first international endeavor to formally acknowledge clean indoor air as essential for health and well-being. More than 150 organizations have already signed the pledge, committing to monitor and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in spaces they influence.

The pledge asserts that 'clean indoor air is a fundamental human right for protecting health and safeguarding well-being.' Signatories are encouraged to apply science-based standards, foster cross-sector collaboration, and transparently report on their progress.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Experts highlight that people typically spend up to 90% of their time indoors, making indoor air quality a critical public health concern. Poor indoor air has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes, including:

• Respiratory diseases (such as asthma and lung cancer)
• Heart disease
• Infectious disease transmission
• Cognitive impairment

These health issues also translate into significant economic costs through lost productivity and increased healthcare expenditures.

Unlike outdoor air, which is often regulated, there are currently no widespread standards for indoor air quality. The COVID-19 pandemic and events like the Australian bushfires have underscored the vital importance of effective indoor ventilation in mitigating airborne transmission of viruses and pollutants.

Australian Leadership and Advocacy

The Australian delegation played a pivotal role in bringing this issue to the forefront of the international agenda. Anna-Maria Arabia OAM, Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science, emphasized the availability of solutions and the need for political leadership to prioritize action. Professor Bronwyn King AO, Special Advisor – Clean Air at Burnet Institute, and Professor Lidia Morawska FAA, an Academy Fellow, were instrumental in conceiving the idea for the UN side event.

This global initiative builds upon the Academy's ongoing advocacy to reduce the negative impacts of airborne transmission in indoor environments. The Academy's submission to Australia's Productivity Commission recommended establishing indoor air quality standards aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The WHO itself concluded in 2000 that everyone has a right to healthy indoor air, with both the UN (2022) and WHO (2021) recognizing clean air as a human right.