India, Oct. 9 -- Global funding explicitly targeting outdoor air quality rose by $1.7 billion in 2023-24 to reach $4.7 billion, nearly matching its 2022 peak.

For the first time, outdoor air quality spending matched fossil fuel-prolonging funding, after the latter fell by 48 per cent in 2024.

Despite this progress, targeted clean air funding remains less than 1 per cent of total international development aid.

The report warns that polluted low-income regions, heavily indebted countries and high-impact super pollutants such as black carbon and ground-level ozone remain severely underfunded.

International clean air funding during 2023-24 showed a dual win for global public health, as targeted clean air investment rose while fossil fuel ...