Health and air pollution co-benefits of climate change mitigation

Overview

Many sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly fossil fuel combustion, are also major sources of air pollutants, both indoors and outdoors. Thus, actions to address climate change through reducing GHG emissions can also reduce exposures to harmful air pollutants resulting from those same sources (e.g. particulate matter [PM], nitrogen oxides). The term co-benefits refers to the positive consequences for public health and the environment of reducing GHG emissions. Furthermore, actions focused on reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) can also lead to improved air quality as ground-level ozone and black carbon are health-damaging air pollutants.

Key climate change mitigation actions that can reduce air pollution are taken in many sectors including energy production, transport, agriculture and industry. Some examples include decreasing energy use; transitioning energy sources from fossil fuels, such as coal, to cleaner and renewable energy sources; improving energy security; and transitioning households away from polluting fuels such as biomass to electricity or other clean-burning forms of energy. Other actions that benefit both climate change mitigation and air quality include promoting cleaner transportation, reducing waste burning and reducing the likelihood and severity of wildfires.

Health and air pollution co-benefits of climate change mitigation highlights the co-benefits of climate mitigation in terms of air pollution and health. The technical brief summarizes the synergies as well as country success stories of addressing climate and air pollution jointly to protect public health.

This document is part of the WHO Air Quality, Energy, and Health Science and Policy Summaries (SPS). These summaries provide concise overviews of current knowledge and evidence on air quality, energy access, climate change, and health. They aim to support decision-makers by presenting key insights from scientific research.

The SPS are developed through a multistakeholder consultation process that includes experts from WHO Advisory Groups – i.e., the Scientific Advisory Group on Air Pollution and Health (SAG), and the Global Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG) – as well as specialists from WHO Collaborating Centres, UN agencies as well as other experts from academia and civil society.

All Science and Policy Summaries can be accessed here