"World Bank Targets Air Pollution in Climate Battle"

"The World Bank said on Tuesday it was planning 'aggressive action' to help developing nations cut emissions of soot and other air pollutants blamed for causing climate change, in a shift also meant to protect human health and aid crop growth."

"Of its funding to poor nations, almost 8 percent -- $18 billion from 2007-12 -- goes to sectors such as energy, farming, waste and transport that have a potential to cut emissions, a bank report said.

The bank said it would shift policy to insist that such projects in future - it did not predict levels of funding - included a component to curb air pollution."

Alister Doyle reports for Reuters September 4, 2013.