Integrating air quality and health considerations into power sector decarbonization strategies

Abstract

Abstract Climate change and public health are two interconnected societal challenges. Efforts to decarbonize the electricity sector not only reduces the carbon emissions from fossil-based power plants, they also lower the co-emitted air pollutants from fossil fuel combustion, which brings immediate health benefits by reducing the morbidity and mortality damage from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. 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, until now, the health impacts have largely been viewed as ancillary benefits from climate mitigation, rather than as a core consideration when decarbonization strategies are formed, assessed and implemented. When strategic choices are made about retiring old infrastructure and building new ones, bringing health to the center of the discussion can generate much greater health benefits with more equitable distribution. To demonstrate concrete ways to incorporate air quality and health considerations into the strategies to decarbonize the electricity sector, in this Perspective we draw insights mainly from empirical and modeling evidence for the United States. However, these insights are generally applicable and could guide health-oriented decarbonization efforts in other countries, too.