The IKEA Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to contribute £55m to the Clean Air Fund

The Clean Air Fund have announced significant new contributions from the IKEA Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, who will together provide £55m over the next four years.

The Clean Air Fund is the world’s largest philanthropically funded organisation dedicated to tackling air pollution. They fund relevant organisations around the World in addition to running their own projects, all with the objective of tackling air pollution to save and improve lives. Schemes funded in the UK include an awareness campaign run by Asthma + Lung UK which led to an air pollution storyline on Coronation Street, research into the effectiveness of government policies by Imperial College and a unique monitoring network by Breathe London.

The Clean Air Fund’s founder and Executive Director, Jane Burston said: ‘The movement for clean air is at a critical juncture. Despite significant progress over the last four years,  much more needs to be done to reduce air pollution, saving millions of lives, reducing enormous health harms and mitigating climate change. This investment will accelerate our work in more countries, and help galvanise commitments from city leaders, governments and the private sector to tackle air pollution.’

Since 2009, the IKEA Foundation has granted more than €1.5 billion to create a better future for children and their families. In 2021 the Board of the IKEA Foundation decided to make an additional €1 billion available over the next five years to accelerate the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions.

Commenting on the new funding commitments, Per Heggenes, CEO at the IKEA Foundation said: ‘The IKEA Foundation is  proud to be partnering with the Clean Air Fund to help achieve a world where everyone can breathe clean air. Alongside the climate crisis, air pollution is one of the worst public health emergencies we face today. With our initial funding, the Clean Air Fund has been able to push funders, mayors, national leaders and industry to take clean air seriously and commit to action. With our continuing support, the Clean Air Fund can now double their efforts, improving the health of children and adults by tackling air pollution and accelerating climate action.’

Founded in 2002, The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation is an independent philanthropic organisation which  works with a range of partners seeking to transform the lives of children and adolescents in developing countries.

Also speaking about their decision to increase funding, Kate Hampton, CEO at CIFF said: ‘We’re proud to be able to support the Clean Air Fund’s work on increasing awareness and accountability on air pollution. We urgently need to see action from all stakeholders, including governments and the private sector,  if we are to protect the health and lives of our most vulnerable.’