Estimation of economic costs of air pollution from road vehicle transportation in Turkey

Abstract

Valuation of the economic, social and environmental impacts of air pollution has become crucial for the benefit-cost analysis of pollution restriction strategies, which serve as a foundation for establishing priorities for action. This paper focuses on the estimation of total external costs caused by road transport-related air pollutants using an integrated evaluation methodology combining air quality modelling, engineering science and economics. The results showed that total external costs of air pollution in Turkey in 2018 ranges between 37,500 euro that is computed for CO emissions and 2,686 million euro computed as an upper limit for NOx emissions. Regarding the social costs of CO2 emissions, the values range between 31 million euro and 1,427 million euro, the former represents the low value estimate while the latter is the high value estimate. The findings indicate that the impact of emissions from road transport on environment and society can be substantial in Turkey. Therefore, some regulations are necessary to reduce transport emissions and to sustain socio-economic welfare.