Asia in Focus:
Clean Air
and
the business
and human
rights agenda
Asia in Focus:
Clean Air
and
the business
and human
rights agenda
Asia in Focus:
Clean Air and the Business and Human Rights Agenda begins by examining the
extent of the air pollution challenge in the region. Following this, the report
highlights the major sources of air pollution in Asia and explores the cost
implications for the region’s economies and people. The report then outlines
challenges to formulating air pollution policy and charts mitigation measures
already in place. The report concludes by exploring the link between air pollution
and human rights, and demonstrating how international human rights instruments
enable a rights-based approach to addressing environmental violations. Importantly,
the report outlines how the three-pillared framework of the UNGPs might be applied
to effectively overcome the air pollution challenge.
Key findings
A rapidly growing urban problem
The problem of air pollution is particularly severe in the rapidly growing urban centres of Asia. Mounting scientific evidence has brought the magnitude of the air pollution problem into focus along with the long-term economic and health consequences of prolonged exposure to unhealthy air. Asia is disproportionately affected, with South and East Asia home to 49 of the 50 most polluted cities worldwide.4
Vulnerable groups disproportionately bear the costs of air pollution. The global economic and public health cost of air pollutants is estimated to be US$2.9trn annually or 3.3% of global GDP (2018).5 However, the impacts of air pollution are unevenly distributed. This holds true for both low-income and high-income countries. Informal economy workers, Indigenous Peoples, women and low-income families are exposed to far greater levels of pollutants, than other groups.
The health impacts of air pollution put future generations at risk. Air pollution can have significant consequences for maternal and neonatal health, adversely affecting fertility, increasing the risk of preterm births and leading to a higher incidence of infant and maternal mortality, birth defects and breast cancer. Falling birth rates could lead to a reduction in the labour force in the coming years, with knock-on effects for future economic growth.
Health impacts of air pollution on the economy. Labour productivity can be adversely affected by air pollution as rising incidences of air pollution-related illnesses lead to increased absenteeism. Poor air quality has proven impacts too, on agricultural production. Consumer-facing businesses report substantially less revenue as customers stay indoors when air quality is poor. The most sought-after workers tend to shun cities and countries where air pollution is high.
The lack of uniform regulatory frameworks and standardised data contributes to the challenge of addressing air pollution in Asia. The problem of inconsistency in regulatory frameworks among Asian countries is a key obstacle to collaboration in the region. Additionally, the lack of standardised data makes monitoring air pollution more complex and expensive.
Measures to control air pollution in Asia, though underway, still have more to achieve. Regulatory interventions are showing promise, such as government-mandated monitoring of air quality and emissions standards, and the introduction of more stringent enforcement mechanisms. Positive results are found when businesses align operations with industry best practices and increase awareness of environment-friendly policies among members of the general public and local business communities.
Key recommendations
Clean air must be recognised as a basic human right and priority policy objective. Classifying clean air as a human right changes the perspective with which governments and civil society treat this issue. Rooting clean air policy in human rights gives greater urgency to actions that might mitigate air pollution and generates additional impetus for civil society to demand remedies in courts of law.6 However, while air pollution litigation is on the rise, there are few States in Asia that recognise the right to clean air.
Businesses must work to prevent, mitigate and remedy air-pollution-related impacts resulting from their business operations. Businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights, irrespective of their size, location or industry. In Asia, 82% of total urban ambient air pollution resulting from PM2.5 originates from man-made sources such as fossil fuel burning (for electricity generation and transport fuels), agricultural burning, waste burning and industrial operations. It is critical for businesses to understand any adverse impacts of their operations and take steps to mitigate air pollution resulting both directly and indirectly from their operations. Business strategies need to be designed considering any potential adverse impacts on the environment and human rights. Businesses should ensure they conduct due diligence to better understand the human rights risks they pose through the air pollution emissions of their operations and supply chains.
The challenge of air pollution can be addressed through focused State interventions using the UNGPs as a framework. The solutions to curbing air pollution are well-understood, though measures are difficult to coordinate in practice. The UNGPs can help by providing a framework for enabling State action to address air pollution-related human rights impacts. States should implement laws to monitor air quality and its impact on health, and develop laws and regulations to improve air quality ensuring adequate compliance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. States should also collaborate with different stakeholders in developing solutions to air pollution, educate businesses and civil society to bring about behavioural change and devise incentives and disincentives to promote more sustainable actions. Lastly, States should ensure adequate access to remedies for affected populations.
