Air pollution, a pervasive and insidious threat, blankets our globe from the Americas to Australia, and even the remote expanses of Antarctica. This crisis urgently calls for our attention and action, particularly from the private sector.

Consider this: air pollution precipitates over 7 million premature deaths annually, a toll surpassing the combined fatalities from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. This is not merely an environmental concern, but a profound public health emergency.

While alliances such as the Alliance for Clean Air are making strides in combating air pollution, it is imperative to remember that the onus does not rest solely with these groups. Every corporation, irrespective of its size or sector, has a crucial role in this battle.

Here are some strategies these corporations are employing:

1- Measure and Reduce: Corporations are quantifying their air pollution footprints and setting ambitious targets to curtail emissions. This is a vital initial step in acknowledging and addressing their contribution to the issue.

2- Champion: Businesses are leveraging their influence to raise awareness about the impacts of air pollution among stakeholders, including employees, customers, and investors.

3- Innovate: Corporations are harnessing their innovative capabilities to develop pioneering projects aimed at reducing air pollution.

For instance, IKEA is mitigating air pollution by avoiding the burning of rice straw. Maersk is exploring the use of biofuels for shipping. Microsoft has pledged to be diesel-free by 2030, and Google is utilizing its Street View cars to monitor air quality.

However, these actions, while commendable, represent only the beginning. The corporate world must do more, and do it more swiftly. It is insufficient to merely reduce our contributions to air pollution; we must actively work towards solutions that restore clean air and safeguard our planet for future generations.

The time for action is now.