About 70 WRI staff, local collaborators, and external experts working at the intersection of air quality, gender, and social inclusion came together in September 2025 to reflect on the work of the Clean Air Catalyst (Catalyst) global partnership as it wrapped up five years of activities. The virtual event provided an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the role of grassroots women as community leaders and active agents in clean air governance and invited air quality and climate practitioners to center equity in local decision-making and policy going forward.

Communities’ Lived Experience of Air Pollution

The panel highlighted the direct impacts of air pollution on marginalized communities and the role of women as leaders in advocating for clean air.

  • Anupa Gokhale from Indore emphasized that clean air is a survival issue for women in low-income neighborhoods. Women in her community face health issues like coughing and skin problems due to pollution exposure.
  • Minawati from Jakarta described how air pollution exacerbates existing social inequities in informal settlements.
  • Eric Ocholla and Isabella Nzioki from Nairobi discussed gendered roles in pollution exposure and the importance of community dialogues.

Inclusive Partnerships for Community Power

This discussion explored how effective partnerships between communities and city governments can enhance clean air governance. 

  • Vivian Wangari stressed that community engagement is essential and should not be an afterthought.
  • Fadhil Muhammad Firdaus discussed Jakarta's participatory planning processes that include community input.
  • Dr. Anshul Mishra highlighted the importance of linking community knowledge with public health systems.
  • Dr. Ajay Nagpure emphasized the need for realistic and relatable solutions to air pollution.

The Role of Equity and Inclusion in Climate Action 

The panel focused on the conditions necessary for prioritizing women's voices in clean air initiatives.

  • Purity Munyambu shared how training empowered grassroots women's groups in Nairobi's informal settlements to lead clean air initiatives.
  • Khalisha Qatrunnada explained the importance of making air quality science accessible to communities in Jakarta.
  • Mutiara Kurniasari emphasized the need for inclusive partnerships that respect community priorities.

Overview of the Clean Air Catalyst Initiative

The Clean Air Catalyst aimed to accelerate equitable clean air solutions in low- and middle-income countries. Funded by USAID from August 2020 to January 2025, the initiative focused on three pilot cities: Indore, Jakarta, and Nairobi. The project identified community co-design and participatory research as key strategies for elevating women and historically marginalized communities in clean air governance.

Watch the full series of webinars sharing data and insights from the project's recently concluded programs to achieve healthier lives in cities through action on air pollution. 

Key Findings:

The Clean Air Catalyst cities provide innovative examples of integrating gender and health into air quality planning:

  • Indore's gender-responsive transport roadmap showcases the importance of embedding gender considerations in planning.
  • Nairobi's focus on community agency highlights the potential for local solutions to air quality issues.
  • Jakarta's Learning Circles foster community dialogue and knowledge sharing, leading to more inclusive policies.

Clear priorities emerged for future action on air quality, including:

  • Better data, particularly gender- and equity-disaggregated data, is essential for understanding the problem and tailor responses.
  • Lived experiences must be embedded in planning and policy processes.
  • Air pollution is not a standalone problem, but deeply interconnected with urban design, mobility, livelihoods and social equity, requiring a holistic approach.
  • Financial commitments and budget lines must be secured to translate ambitious plans into reality