UNEP Real-Time Air Pollution Exposure Calculator (IQAIR)

On 7 September 2021, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with Swiss air quality company IQAir, launched the world’s first real-time air pollution exposure calculator. Built on UNEP’s global air quality data platform and developed with support from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the Frontier Technologies Hub, the tool uses artificial intelligence to combine satellite, governmental, and crowd-sourced data with population statistics to estimate hourly exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by age group and country. Displayed on UNEP’s World Environmental Situation Room, the calculator aims to enhance air quality monitoring, raise awareness, and guide targeted policy action to improve air quality - particularly in urban areas and vulnerable communities.

The initiative, unveiled during the International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skies, underscores the urgent need for international cooperation to reduce pollution, strengthen monitoring systems, and develop cleaner urban transport and waste management practices to protect public health, ecosystems, and the climate.

🔗 Check out the live map here: https://www.iqair.com/unep