The World Meteorological Organization warned that pollution caused by more severe wildfires and heatwaves could undermine global efforts to improve air quality.

Based on the agency’s annual report, air pollution and climate change are closely linked and must be addressed with coordinated policies.

The report also states that meeting the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines will become more difficult, as the likelihood of severe wildfires occurring in the future is higher.

Lorenzo Labrador, an expert at the World Meteorological Organization, told Reuters: “No matter how clean your city or region is, if a lot of pollution comes in from wildfires, it can also affect the air quality in those areas.”