A new study from the University of Leeds reveals that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could prevent up to 250,000 annual deaths caused by poor air quality in Europe. The research highlights significant health benefits and addresses air pollution inequity across different regions.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have unveiled a compelling study, revealing that up to 250,000 deaths from poor air quality could be prevented annually in central and western Europe by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are significantly curtailed. This research, published in the journal Earth’s Future, underscores the direct health benefits of rigorous climate action.
Lead author Connor Clayton, a doctoral student at the School of Earth and Environment and the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, emphasized the dual benefits of mitigating climate change and improving public health.
“The strategies that policymakers take to mitigate climate change will have considerable implications for human exposure to air quality, not least of which are the number of deaths,” he said in a news release.
The team’s findings indicate that strong climate mitigation efforts would not only reduce overall mortality due to poor air quality but also alleviate the disproportionate health burden borne by economically deprived regions in Europe.
“They also urgently need to consider the persistent inequity of exposure between wealthier and more deprived populations which continues to be an issue even though air pollution has reduced across Europe,” Clayton added.
The Urgency of Addressing Air Pollution
According to the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, poor air quality is the largest environmental risk factor for premature deaths, contributing to approximately 8 million deaths globally each year.
The World Health Organization has stated that nearly every organ in the body can be negatively impacted by air pollution, which can cause systemic inflammation and increase cancer risk.
Exposure to harmful air pollutants is linked to a slew of health issues including strokes, heart disease, lung ailments, diabetes, cognitive impairment, dementia and negative pregnancy outcomes.
In Europe, the future mortality rate from exposure to air pollution often reaches hundreds of thousands annually, but this varies based on different methodologies used in estimates.
Detailed Findings and Scenarios
The research team assessed the current and future health impacts in Europe from exposure to fine particulate matter and surface-level ozone — both of which pose significant dangers.
Using a sophisticated atmospheric chemistry model, they projected future air quality under low, medium and high climate action scenarios.
Their comprehensive analyses found that areas with higher deprivation currently witness proportionally higher death rates due to air pollution. However, substantial emission reductions could bridge this inequity. For instance, regions in central Europe, particularly southwest Germany, and urban centers like Paris would see the largest improvements in air quality.
A scenario where CO2 emissions are cut severely to reach net zero post-2050 shows the most significant decreases in fine particulate matter — up to 90% in specific regions such as southwest Germany and Paris.
“This work provides evidence that there are direct health benefits from moving towards a low carbon economy. Air pollutants and the climate-warming gases and aerosols are one and the same, it is very much two sides of the same coin,” added Jim McQuaid, an associate professor of atmospheric composition in the School of Earth and Environment, who led the research. “It was particularly good to see that those who suffer most from air pollution currently benefit most from the benefits of the drive to a net-zero world.”
Policy Implications
This landmark study suggests critical paths that policymakers could pursue to safeguard public health while addressing climate change. The findings advocate for an integrated approach where reducing emissions not only combats climate change but also yields significant public health benefits, particularly for vulnerable communities.
Source: University of Leeds