In Europe, average life expectancy has increased by a full year in the last three decades because of measures to tackle air pollution, the UN has said.

Despite the welcome news, the UN agency behind the announcement, the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), has warned that dirty air is still the main environmental cause of premature death on the continent.

The agency also estimates that air pollution costs European and North American economies more than US$1 trillion each every year.

UNECE head Christian Friis Bach tells Daniel Johnson explains how the more than 50 countries his agency represents in Europe, North America and Asia – and those beyond – must do more to address the issue.

Duration: 3’07”