Clean air is essential for health, yet many people, especially in low- and middle-income countries, breathe polluted air every day. IIASA researchers contributed advanced modeling tools and analyses to assess the feasibility and affordability of halving global exposure to high levels of outdoor air pollution by 2040 in a new World Bank Report.
The report Accelerating Access to Clean Air on a Livable Planet, highlights that worldwide, outdoor air pollution is responsible for approximately 5.7 million deaths annually and imposes economic costs of around 5% of global GDP. It emphasizes that halving the number of people exposed to high levels of air pollution by 2040 is both feasible and affordable through effective, targeted policies.
IIASA's contributions to air quality research are well-established. The Institute's Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model, which evaluates strategies for reducing emissions while considering economic and environmental factors, has been instrumental in formulating policies that address both air quality and climate change simultaneously.
In this new World Bank report, the GAINS model was used to assess four distinct policy scenarios related to air pollution and climate strategies. These included a "business-as-usual" scenario, which assumed the implementation of already agreed-upon policies, and three additional scenarios that incorporated varying levels of decarbonization and air quality management efforts. The findings demonstrate that the most effective and cost-efficient approach to meeting the 2040 Clean Air Targets involves integrating both climate policies and additional air pollution measures. By comparing different pathways, GAINS provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of policy interventions in reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants.
"Our partnership with the World Bank emphasizes the important role of integrated assessment models like GAINS in formulating effective air quality management strategies. By addressing air pollution and climate change together, we can develop solutions that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable," says IIASA Pollution Management Research Group Leader, Zbigniew Klimont.
According to the report's authors, effective policies can significantly reduce air pollution as it largely stems from manmade sources, while the success of such policies hinge on strengthening institutions, leveraging information, and catalyzing investments. Key sectors identified for intervention include heating, cooking, transport, agriculture, and waste management.
