Integrating air quality and health considerations into power sector decarbonization strategies

• Published in: Environmental research letters Vol. 17; no. 8; pp. 81002 - 81006
• Main Authors: Peng, Wei, Ou, Yang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Air quality; co-benefits; Decarbonization; electricity sector; ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; health
• ISSN: 1748-9326; 1748-9326
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac8361

Climate change and public health are two interconnected societal challenges. Curbing fossil-based electricity generation reduces the emissions of both CO2 and air pollutants, which brings tangible health benefits from improved air quality. The potential health benefits from decarbonizing the grid are enormous, immediate, and widespread. From renewable portfolio standards to carbon market, the health co-benefits from clean electricity policies often outweigh their policy costs. As climate action goes local, framing decarbonization around health benefits also makes it more personally relevant and economically attractive. Yet, to date, the health impacts have largely been viewed as ancillary benefits from decarbonization, rather than as a core consideration when energy strategies are formed, assessed and implemented. When strategic choices are made about retiring old infrastructure and building new ones, bringing public health to the center of the discussion can generate greater health benefits with more equitable distribution. Here we identify concrete ways to incorporate air quality and health considerations into power sector decarbonization strategies. We draw insights mainly from empirical and modeling evidence for the United States. These insights are generally applicable and could guide health-oriented decarbonization efforts in other countries as well.