Philanthropic Support For Tackling Air Pollution Stagnating, Study Finds

InnovationSustainabilityPhilanthropic Support For Tackling Air Pollution Stagnating, Study FindsByJamie Hailstone,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jamie Hailstone is a U.K-based reporter, who covers sustainability. Follow AuthorApr 21, 2026, 03:15am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 29: A group of people wear face masks to protect against air pollution as they walk past the U.S. Supreme Court Building on June 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Washington DC region is under a "Code Red" air quality alert today due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Getty ImagesPhilanthropic funding for tackling air pollution around the world appears to be slowing down, according to a new analysis.The report by the Clean Air Fund claims philanthropic funding to improve outdoor air quality increased by only 2%, from $123.1 million in 2022 to $125.8 million in 2023.Over the same period, the study adds international development funding for outdoor air quality dropped by $1 billion (20%), from $4.7 billion in 2022 to $3.7 billion in 2023.It also claims philanthropic funding for outdoor air quality remains highly concentrated.Between 2019 and 2023, the report says the top 10 funders contributed 52% of all philanthropic funding in this area, and as a grant maker, Clean Air Fund alone represented 8% of this funding. According to the report, philanthropic foundations which focus on climate, energy, and the environment provided the largest portion of funding for outdoor air quality, accounting for 73% of funding in 2023. North America received the largest share of philanthropic funding for outdoor air quality (34%), while Africa and Latin America received less than 1% and 2% of total funding, respectively.MORE FOR YOUAdditionally, organisations based in the Global North and Europe tend to allo...