Inter-American Development Bank Ranks Among Top Funders for Air Quality in Latin America
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has maintained its position as one of the largest funders for air quality initiatives, particularly within Latin America and the Caribbean. According to a report covering 2020-2024, the IDB ranked 8th globally among top funders for total air quality, contributing $3.3 billion, with Ecuador being its largest recipient country (23% of funding). The IDB's investments in air quality are often channeled through large rail infrastructure projects in countries like Chile and Brazil. This sustained funding reflects an increased institutional emphasis on urban mobility and modal shifts towards active and public transport, with air quality improvements explicitly included in the investment rationale for these projects. The report also notes a growing influence of Latin American institutions in air quality funding, with the Development Bank of Latin America also entering the top ten.
