Accelerating Business Leadership on Air Pollution

Accelerating Business Leadership on Air Pollution is an invitation-only roundtable convened by the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Global Compact and the Stockholm Environment Institute, with support from the Clean Air Fund, during Climate Week NYC 2026. As the global community comes together to accelerate climate action, the event will highlight the critical role of clean air in delivering a just and effective transition. Air pollution contributes to an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year and costs the global economy approximately US$8.1 trillion annually—equivalent to 6.1% of global GDP. Many of the measures needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions also cut harmful air pollutants, delivering immediate benefits for public health, economic resilience and sustainable development. Yet despite these synergies, air pollution remains underrepresented in corporate sustainability strategies and business decision-making. Bringing together representatives from business, governments, investors, international organizations, civil society and industry associations, the discussion will focus on practical opportunities to strengthen corporate action on air pollution. Participants will explore how to improve emissions assessment and reporting, integrate air quality into corporate sustainability and transition strategies, and strengthen the enabling environment for business action, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies. Held immediately ahead of the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit and the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, the roundtable is intended to encourage companies to place air pollution alongside climate and nature as a strategic sustainability priority. It will build momentum for stronger private sector engagement, identify opportunities for continued collaboration, and elevate clean air on the global sustainability agenda.