"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. [2]