Clean air, healthier lives

Every child around the world should have the chance to grow up with fresh, clean air to breathe. And by supporting the Clean Air Fund, the IKEA Foundation is helping to accelerate climate action and improve public health by tackling air pollution in Asia and Europe.

Bad air quality leads to serious effects

Globally, 9 out of 10 people are affected by air pollution caused by transport, electricity generation, and industrial emissions. This often leads to serious consequences – poor air quality is a contributor in nearly 8% of deaths globally, and has an especially grave effect on children’s health.

Our work with the Clean Air Fund supports activities such as annual Clean Air Days, which raise awareness of the risks of air pollution and encourage behaviours that lower emissions. By working together, we can all help protect the planet and create a better everyday life for everyone.

Actions you can take yourself to improve air quality:

  • Choosing zero carbon modes of transport like walking and cycling
  • Choosing public transport instead of a private vehicle
  • Ensuring your home is well insulated
  • Choosing energy providers that use renewable sources of energy
  • Buying locally sourced products

Tips on what to do in an air polluted area

  • Consider your location and route. If you have the choice, walk through parks, public spaces and trails with low emission zones as much as possible. Greenspaces contribute to our health and well being
  • Keep a healthy distance from the road. Studies have shown that air pollution levels are higher on busier roads, but that the amount of pollution drops in line with how far away you are from a road.
  • Move around vehicles. Walking behind cars, scooters etc. make you breathe in very high levels of pollutants that can be harmful to your lungs. So keep your distance.
  • Avoid busy roads with high buildings. Air pollution tends to get trapped within roads with tall buildings on either side, so this type of road usually has poor air quality and should be avoided.
  • Check the air quality index of the day. Actual air pollution levels depend on the type of pollutant, the location and local weather. Try to find a service that is specific for your location. You can find Europe-wide air quality reports here.
  • Check the weather forecast. Air pollution tends to be at its highest on hot, sunny days, while the air tends to be cleaner after rainy or windy weather.
  • Avoid rush hours. Choose an alternative, quieter route or another time to be active.
  • Choose healthy travel options. Driving a car to get around contributes to the air pollution problem. Why not consider using public transport, or ‘taking the active option’ and walking or cycling. These options will help you to reach your daily physical activity goals, while contributing to a cleaner environment.
  • Avoid exposure to indoor air pollution and second-hand smoke. It is worth considering potential pollutants in this environment and how you can protect yourself from them. Vacuuming, and using cleaning products and air fresheners may reduce air quality, so try to avoid exercise immediately after cleaning.
  • Be active! Do not be afraid to be active and exercise – environmental and lung health experts agree that the health risks associated with breathing in air pollution while exercising are less significant than those of an inactive lifestyle.

    (source: NCBI)

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Stay up-to-date and follow us for news and info about exciting grants

  • We’re part of an alliance of 25 (and growing!) leading philanthropic funders working to accelerate regenerative and agroecological transitions around the world 🌍

Research by our partner the Global Alliance for the Future of Food shows that a tenfold increase in funding is required to support this much-needed transformation ⚠️

Transitioning to agroecological and regenerative food systems is essential. In collaboration with our partners, we’re calling on civil society, governments, investors, and other donors to work with us to unlock the innovative partnerships and investments needed to achieve global climate targets πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Read more via the link in our bio πŸ”—

#ClimateAction #COP28UAE #RegenerativeAgriculture
  • In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
  • Food systems currently contribute to one-third of global GHG emissions πŸ₯¬

Join us and our partners at the #COP28 Food Systems Pavilion on December 2nd between 09:30am and 10:30am GMT for the anticipated Power Shift eventπŸ’‘

Our expert panel will explore how we can decouple food systems from fossil fuel use by shifting toward regenerative and agroecological food production.

Watch the event live at the link in bio πŸ”—

#ActionOnFood #FoodProduction
  • At #COP28UAE we’re supporting @selcoofficial to demonstrate the power of the #EnergyForHealth programme πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Launched in April of this year, #EnergyforHealth will bring solar power to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026.

The programme will reduce CO2e emissions by 3 million tons over 20 years and improve health services for 170 million people.

Visit their exhibition in the #BlueZone to see how #EnergyForHealth can be a model for improving healthcare and reducing emissions from the health sector 🌏

#RenewableEnergy #PeopleandPlanet
We’re part of an alliance of 25 (and growing!) leading philanthropic funders working to accelerate regenerative and agroecological transitions around the world 🌍

Research by our partner the Global Alliance for the Future of Food shows that a tenfold increase in funding is required to support this much-needed transformation ⚠️

Transitioning to agroecological and regenerative food systems is essential. In collaboration with our partners, we’re calling on civil society, governments, investors, and other donors to work with us to unlock the innovative partnerships and investments needed to achieve global climate targets πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Read more via the link in our bio πŸ”—

#ClimateAction #COP28UAE #RegenerativeAgriculture
We’re part of an alliance of 25 (and growing!) leading philanthropic funders working to accelerate regenerative and agroecological transitions around the world 🌍 Research by our partner the Global Alliance for the Future of Food shows that a tenfold increase in funding is required to support this much-needed transformation ⚠️ Transitioning to agroecological and regenerative food systems is essential. In collaboration with our partners, we’re calling on civil society, governments, investors, and other donors to work with us to unlock the innovative partnerships and investments needed to achieve global climate targets πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Read more via the link in our bio πŸ”— #ClimateAction #COP28UAE #RegenerativeAgriculture
3 days ago
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In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£ Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰ What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡ @india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
Food systems currently contribute to one-third of global GHG emissions πŸ₯¬

Join us and our partners at the #COP28 Food Systems Pavilion on December 2nd between 09:30am and 10:30am GMT for the anticipated Power Shift eventπŸ’‘

Our expert panel will explore how we can decouple food systems from fossil fuel use by shifting toward regenerative and agroecological food production.

Watch the event live at the link in bio πŸ”—

#ActionOnFood #FoodProduction
Food systems currently contribute to one-third of global GHG emissions πŸ₯¬ Join us and our partners at the #COP28 Food Systems Pavilion on December 2nd between 09:30am and 10:30am GMT for the anticipated Power Shift eventπŸ’‘ Our expert panel will explore how we can decouple food systems from fossil fuel use by shifting toward regenerative and agroecological food production. Watch the event live at the link in bio πŸ”— #ActionOnFood #FoodProduction
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
At #COP28UAE we’re supporting @selcoofficial to demonstrate the power of the #EnergyForHealth programme πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Launched in April of this year, #EnergyforHealth will bring solar power to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026.

The programme will reduce CO2e emissions by 3 million tons over 20 years and improve health services for 170 million people.

Visit their exhibition in the #BlueZone to see how #EnergyForHealth can be a model for improving healthcare and reducing emissions from the health sector 🌏

#RenewableEnergy #PeopleandPlanet
At #COP28UAE we’re supporting @selcoofficial to demonstrate the power of the #EnergyForHealth programme πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Launched in April of this year, #EnergyforHealth will bring solar power to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. The programme will reduce CO2e emissions by 3 million tons over 20 years and improve health services for 170 million people. Visit their exhibition in the #BlueZone to see how #EnergyForHealth can be a model for improving healthcare and reducing emissions from the health sector 🌏 #RenewableEnergy #PeopleandPlanet
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/4