Back
Medical, Health & Aged Care
The Safer Air Project

Australian Public Health Advocate to Lead Global Air Quality Commission

The Safer Air Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYDNEY, 25 September 2025 – Australian public health advocate Victoria "Plum" Stone has been appointed Co-Chair of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, a major new initiative by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) targeting the global health crisis of poor indoor air quality.

Stone, who founded Australia's Safer Air Project following the COVID-19 pandemic, brings over two decades of public health policy experience from both the UK and Australia. Her appointment positions Australia at the forefront of international efforts to address indoor air quality as a fundamental health issue.

"At The Safer Air Project, we've championed indoor air quality as an accessibility and inclusion issue, informed by the experiences of people with chronic health conditions who face increased risks from the air we share indoors," said Stone, Founder and CEO of The Safer Air Project. "I'm honoured that this issue has been recognised and will be included through the Global Commission, to help ensure clean air is treated as a human right, so everyone can breathe safely indoors."

The Commission, launched at the United Nations during Climate Week, brings together over 100 leaders from 30 countries, including senior health officials, leading academics, and executives from property, technology and manufacturing sectors. Stone will work alongside fellow Co-Chairs Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States, and Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska of the ARC Training Centre for Advanced Building Systems Against Airborne Infection Transmission (THRIVE) and Queensland University of Technology.

Indoor air pollution, combined with ambient air pollution, is linked with nearly 3.2 million premature deaths annually and contributes to a wide range of chronic and acute health conditions including respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Despite the risks and the fact that people spend 90% of their lives indoors, indoor air quality has historically lagged behind other public health and environmental priorities.

"We're thrilled to have the expertise of Plum Stone as a Co-Chair on the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air," said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. "Plum joins an acclaimed cohort that will, in the coming months and year, chart a global framework and co-develop national blueprints that offer strategies for action along with the sustained drumbeat of attention and awareness necessary to elevate this issue worldwide."

The Commission will:

  • Establish indoor air quality as a global health priority through awareness campaigns and policy advocacy
  • Develop a Global Framework for Action with clear implementation pathways
  • Create country-specific National Blueprints with local partners
  • Mobilise multi-sector investment for affordable, effective solutions

The initiative promises significant benefits for Australia's health sector. Research indicates that improving indoor air quality can reduce sick leave and infections, enhance cognitive function, alleviate respiratory symptoms, and improve mental health outcomes—potentially increasing workplace productivity.

"It's an incredible opportunity to bring such an esteemed group of professionals together for an urgent cause," said Dr. Carmona. "We've set forth an important agenda, and I look forward to Plum's contributions."

The Commission's Global Framework for Action will be released by the end of 2026, alongside National Blueprints published on a rolling basis.

For more information on the Commission, visit https://www.wellcertified.com/global-commission-on-healthy-indoor-air-working


About us:

The Safer Air Project is an Australian charity advocating for indoor air quality as essential for health equity and inclusion. The organisation combines community engagement with evidence-based advocacy to drive policy change and systems reform. Learn more at www.saferairproject.com.

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a global non-profit organisation advancing health in buildings, workplaces and communities through its WELL Building Standard and related programs. More information at www.wellcertified.com.


Contact details:

Plum Stone
Founder and CEO, The Safer Air Project
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.saferairproject.com