Coordinated Action on Clean Air and Climate Change: A Game-Changer for Global Health and Economy
Coordinated action to tackle air pollution and climate change together can have profound global impacts, according to a groundbreaking report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
Key Findings:
- Savings and Benefits: Tackling these issues simultaneously can save millions of lives, reduce global warming, and generate approximately $15 in economic benefits for every $1 invested.
- Combined Efforts: The report emphasizes that combined action yields higher returns than addressing climate change and air pollution separately since many sectors and pollutants contribute to both crises.
- Economic Returns: Implementing 25 proven measures could result in significant global GDP gains: 2.8% by 2035, 4.5% by 2050, and 11.4% by 2100. This compares to fossil fuel subsidies accounting for 2.18% of global GDP in 2022.
- Health Benefits: Even excluding non-market welfare gains, such as longer lives, the measures still provide a benefit-cost ratio of around $4 for every dollar invested.
Quotes:
“For too long, we have treated climate action as a cost to be managed and air pollution as the unfortunate outcome of development. This report shows the opposite… Clean air is a key driver of development, health, food, and energy security, and climate stability—an asset we must invest in.” – Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP
“The case for action has never been clearer… Reducing air pollution protects health, boosts productivity, and builds more resilient and prosperous societies… Accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels is one of the fastest and most effective ways to clean the air while tackling the climate crisis.” – António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Actions and Impact:
The report highlights 25 measures that can be implemented, including:
- Adopting renewable energy sources.
- Promoting electric vehicles.
- Using clean fuel sources for cooking.
These actions not only combat climate change but also improve public health, strengthen economies, and accelerate progress towards climate goals. With such compelling evidence, the report urges finance ministries and investors to view clean-air policies as attractive investments with significant global benefits.
