Guide on Ambient Air Quality Legislation - Air Pollution Series

This guide supports national lawmakers and policymakers in developing or strengthening legislation on ambient air quality standards as a foundation for effective national air quality governance. It explains that embedding ambient air quality standards in legislation is essential for establishing institutional responsibility, accountability, public participation, and enforcement, while institutionalising processes for setting and updating standards as scientific knowledge and technologies evolve. The guide draws on findings from the United Nations Environment Programme’s 2021 Regulating Air Quality: The First Global Assessment of Air Pollution Legislation, which found that although most countries have incorporated ambient air quality standards into legislation, no common global legal framework exists. In response, the guide provides practical legal guidance to assist countries in developing or improving ambient air quality legislation. Its objective is to promote robust national air quality governance systems that prioritise public health and recognise the universal need for clean air. The guide also emphasises that air pollution is a collective challenge resulting from decisions and behaviours across multiple policy sectors, making regulatory alignment essential for achieving ambient air quality standards in practice. By addressing a significant gap in air quality laws globally, it serves as a legal resource for developing comprehensive national legislation that supports public access to scientifically evidenced levels of clean air and strengthens long-term air quality governance.