Integrating Air Quality and Electric Mobility to Improve Urban Life in Latin America April 4, 2026 - Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental threats to human health worldwide. In 2021, it caused 8.1 million deaths, an increase from 7 million recorded in previous studies. In Africa, Asia and Latin America, the infant mortality rate from air pollution is 100 times higher than in high-income countries. Transport, from commuting to freight delivery, is a major source of emissions and air pollution. Poor air quality is one of the main unintended side effects of mobility. Internal combustion engine and non-exhaust emissions, along with other transport-related pollutants, release harmful toxins that damage human and animal health and contribute to global warming. At WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, we work to advance livable, enjoyable and healthy cities worldwide. In Latin America, poor air quality and a high share of polluting vehicles underscore the urgent need for urban interventions that cut emissions. At the same time, cities must ensure that everyone has access to high-quality transport, especially efficient alternatives to private, polluting vehicles. WRI Ross Center funded a project to develop an integrated approach between air quality and electric mobility, using WRI Colombia as a model for other teams in the region. During its development, we met with the WRI Global, Mexico, Colombia and Brasil teams working on air quality and electric mobility to explore synergies and identify potential collaborations. The meeting took place in Bogotá, Colombia, Jan. 27-31, 2025. Bogotá Advances Air Quality and Electric Mobility Strategies Bogotá was selected to host this regional encounter because of its recent advances in air quality management and electric mobility projects. The city uses CanAiry Alert as a tool to monitor air quality, while the Vital Neighborhoods project included air quality indicators to