Health and economic co-benefits of net-zero
Air pollution is one of the world’s leading causes of premature death, responsible for nearly one in eight deaths globally. Using a global source-receptor air-pollution model, CMCC scientists estimated the effects of avoiding temperature overshoot on air quality, public health and economic productivity.
They found that avoiding short-term overshoot of the 1.5°C threshold could prevent 207,000 premature deaths and avert approximately $2,269 billion USD in economic losses by 2030 — equivalent to roughly 2% of the world’s 2020 GDP. The greatest benefits were observed in regions with dense populations and high pollution levels, notably China and India.
Evidence for ambitious climate action
“This work shows, in a comprehensive and robust way, that pursuing short-term temperature stabilisation is worthwhile,” said CMCC scientist Lara Aleluia Reis, one of the study’s authors. “Not only does it reduce climate risks, it also brings significant health benefits by improving air quality.”
The research is the first to quantify the global air-pollution co-benefits of avoiding short-term temperature overshoot. By accounting for multiple scenarios, uncertainties and regional variations, it provides strong evidence that rapid decarbonisation and sustained net-zero policies can both save lives and strengthen economies.
The study underlines that climate mitigation is not only a long-term investment in planetary stability, but also an immediate opportunity to protect human health and reduce economic losses associated with pollution.
