Co-benefits of mitigating global greenhouse gas emissions for future air quality and human health
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions also influences air quality. We simulate the co-benefits of global GHG reductions on air quality and human health via two mechanisms: a) reducing co-emitted air pollutants, and b) slowing climate change and its effect on air quality. Relative to a reference scenario, global GHG mitigation in the RCP4.5 scenario avoids 0.5±0.2, 1.3±0.6, and 2.2±1.6 million premature deaths in 2030, 2050, and 2100, from changes in fine particulate matter and ozone. Global average marginal co-benefits of avoided mortality are $40-400 (ton CO2)-1, exceeding marginal abatement costs in 2030 and 2050, and within the low range of costs in 2100. East Asian co-benefits are 10-80 times the marginal cost in 2030. These results indicate that transitioning to a low-carbon future might be justified by air quality and health co-benefits.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1130720
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-93184; KP1703030
- Journal Information:
- Nature Climate Change, 3(10):885-889, Journal Name: Nature Climate Change, 3(10):885-889
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Health co-benefits of achieving sustainable net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in California
A multi-model assessment of the co-benefits of climate mitigation for global air quality