How Climate Policies Cut Air Pollution and Save Lives & Money

Our world is facing a dual crisis - the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels on our climate and the resulting air pollution that damages ecosystems and endangers our health. Surprisingly, in our climate policies, we often fail to recognize the benefits of reduced air pollution and miss out on the opportunity to address these problems simultaneously. A recent study sheds light on this oversight, revealing that in the US, net zero policies could lead to a significant health gain of between $65bn and $128bn in 2035 alone.

Health Benefits of a Decarbonised Society

Dr Alex Barron from Smith College, Massachusetts, who was part of the research team, emphasizes that a decarbonised society means cleaner air. However, the extent of clean air benefits and who benefits depend on how policymakers shape the transition. In Europe, the misconception that diesel and wood are climate-friendly has led to excessive traffic emissions and air pollution from home wood burning.

Multiple teams worked independently to model the economics of carbon dioxide and air pollution reduction for future US energy pathways. The modelling results consistently show that decarbonisation reduces co-emitted air pollutants and is expected to bring significant long-term health benefits. Electrification combined with wind and solar tends to drive greater air pollutant emission co-reductions compared to other decarbonisation pathways.

However, if current coal use is replaced by fossil gas or biomass, the gains could be reduced. Biomass fuels produce air pollution when burned, and two of the models even showed an increase in air pollution from clearing unmanaged lands for bioenergy crops and increased fertiliser use. Our analysis provides a glimpse into this response, suggesting that greater ammonia emissions occur in scenarios with greater biomass use.

Uncertainty in Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies

There is uncertainty about technologies to capture and store carbon. These have not been widely deployed before and could potentially offset some air pollution reductions if powered by combustion. But it is clear that US net zero policies by 2050 could lead to rapid health gains. By 2035, the number of early deaths from air pollution could be reduced by between 4,000 and 15,000 annually, with even greater benefits in the future. The largest gains are expected in the central and north-west US states.

The financial gains from fewer people dying early due to air pollution exposure, ranging from $65bn to $128bn, are at least as significant as the benefits from avoiding direct climate damage. It is crucial to note that we are constantly learning new things about how air pollution affects our minds and bodies. In retrospect, the benefits may be even greater than they initially appear. People value cleaner air as a near-term benefit of climate action, but our climate policy models often fail to convey this clearly to decision-makers and the public.

As we strive to address the climate crisis, it is essential to consider the intertwined issues of air pollution and health. By taking a comprehensive approach, we can not only protect our planet but also improve the well-being of millions.