UNEP says investing in climate action, air quality to boost economic prosperity
Nairobi, Sep 7 (IANS) Investments in climate action and air pollution control are key to driving economic prosperity and improving ecosystem and human health, according to a report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Monday.
The report, titled "Hidden Assets: The economic and health case for climate and clean air action," was released on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which is observed annually on September 7.
Compiled by UNEP and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the report is the first comprehensive global economic assessment of integrated climate and clean-air action, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The study demonstrates a significant return on investment, showing that every 1 US dollar allocated toward climate and air pollution solutions generates approximately 15 dollars in economic returns, alongside substantial reductions in pollution-linked mortality and medical expenses.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen underscored that carbon neutrality and air quality are foundational to global development, public health, energy and food security, and environmental stability.
Andersen emphasised that strong leadership from both the public and financial sectors, coupled with effective policy frameworks and technological innovation, is critical to curbing climate-warming emissions and improving global air quality.
To operationalise these goals, the report recommends 25 specific interventions that span six sectors: energy and fossil fuel systems, industry, transport, agriculture and food systems, residential cooking and heating, and waste management.
It combines both long-term decarbonisation measures and measures that target super pollutants such as methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons.
Should the 25 solutions be implemented, annual economic benefits would reach around 2.8 per cent of global GDP by 2035, 4.5 per cent by 2050 and 11.4 per cent by 2100.
In addition, the 25 measures could avoid an estimated 0.34 degrees Celsius of global warming by 2050 and 1.4 degrees Celsius by 2100, the report says.
The 25 measures will also avert 144 million air pollution-related premature deaths alongside millions of cases of chronic disease by 2050, according to the report.
–IANS
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