Chile's Santiago breathes better air after decades of pollution

Santiago, considered one of the most polluted cities in Latin America, has reduced pollution to unprecedented levels since measurements began in 1997. The Chilean capital has installed an extensive network of monitoring stations and, based on these measurements, has taken action when pollution reaches dangerous levels.

For example by restricting car traffic and closing the most polluting factories. The Government also subsidizes insulation in low and middle income households as part of a programme that attempts to annually improve the housing conditions of 100,000 families. Insulation reduces the demand for heating by 30 percent, which means lower bills and emissions, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs estimates.