Abstract:
Climate change policy analyses often omit the benefits from air pollution reductions and increased physical activity. We compared the UK business-as-usual (BAU) policies with Net Zero pathways and estimated air quality and physical activity co-benefits on mortality and morbidity. NZ means more electric vehicles, low carbon building heating, active travel and reduced vehicle kms. Building emissions were 3x more effective at reducing PM2.5 than road transport. Exposure inequalities were less pronounced due to NZ policies. Buildings and transport sector air quality health benefits were £21.3 billion and £9.1 billion, respectively by 2050. Building sector costs did not achieve break-even via efficiency savings, but by reducing Greenhouse Gases break-even was in 2052. With air pollution health benefits, building-sector break-even improved by 3 to 6 years. Removing gas cooking may result in greater concentration reductions than outdoor air pollution for NO2.
Bio:
Dr Sean Beevers, Leads the Environmental Research Group’s (ERG) Air Pollution Modelling team, is Reader in Atmospheric Modelling, School of Public Health at Imperial College London and is a member of the UK Air Quality Expert Group.
Founder of the London Air Quality Network and the ERG. I have worked closely with the Greater London Authority in implementing major changes to the city from the Congestion Charge to the new Ultra Low Emissions Zone. I have contributed to numerous UK research council projects publishing over 100 papers including in the Lancet, Nature, BMJ, Epidemiology and Stroke. I have estimated the air pollution benefits of the hydrogen economy and recently on the air pollution cost and benefits of Net Zero policy, working with the Climate Change Committee.