Nestled in a valley at the foot of the Andes, the Chilean capital of Santiago is often shrouded in smog, especially in winter, when seasonal air inversions can trap pollutants over the city of more than 5 million people. Other major cities in Chile, such as Temuco and Osorno, sometimes face some of the world’s worst air quality levels due to the extensive use of wood for heating.
The Chilean government says that about 10 million Chileans are exposed to air pollution levels above those recommended by the World Health Organization, contributing to about 4,000 deaths every year. Air quality improvements could lead to health savings of $8 billion per year, according to government data.
But Chile has been trying to clean up its air pollution problem and rein in greenhouse gas emissions, with a goal of fully electrifying public transport in all Chilean cities by 2040 (and becoming carbon neutral by 2050). In Santiago, that process is underway: The city boasts the largest fleet of electric buses outside of China, with 776 Chinese-made vehicles, according to the Transport Ministry.
