China and India may become the biggest beneficiaries of climate change mitigation actions

A new study shows that the total cost of implementing the Paris climate agreement from 2020 to 2050 could be offset
by savings from reducing deaths and illnesses related to air pollution.
The study also suggests that India and China are likely to be the
biggest beneficiaries of climate change mitigation actions.

China and India may become the biggest beneficiaries of climate change mitigation actions

China and India stand to benefit greatly from actions to mitigate climate change, as large segments of the populations of both countries face unacceptable levels of pollution
, the study said.

The study estimates a significant reduction
in air pollution-related deaths globally between 2020 and 2050.
If the target of limiting temperature increases to 2°C is met, deaths could be reduced by 21-27%, to about 93 million to 101 million
.

The Paris climate agreement, signed in 2015, aims to reduce the effects
of climate change by limiting the rise in global average temperature to 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Nearly 195 countries are expected to sign the agreement
by 2020.

In the study, the researchers combined several existing models to estimate emission levels in the United States, EU-27, China, India and other countries, deaths and costs associated with air pollution, the costs of mitigating climate change, and health care co-benefits
.

They simulate doing nothing, continuing to implement current state-level policies, and three different strategies to implement and fund the impact
of the historic Paris Agreement.

Current national strategies could cost $7.
5 trillion compared to inaction and could lead to a 5%
reduction in global air pollution-related deaths between 2020 and 2050, the study said.
The number of deaths caused by inaction is estimated at 128 million
, compared with the 122 million air pollution-related deaths caused by national interventions.

Under the Paris Agreement, the cost of mitigating climate change is likely to rise the smallest in the United States and the European Union, with the largest increases in the rest of the
world, India and China.

Overall, the cost of implementing the Paris climate agreement ranges from 0.
5-1% of global GDP, or $22.
1 trillion to $41.
6 trillion
.

Under the three proposed scenarios, India and China could achieve the greatest health cost savings
in mitigating climate change.

Under all three scenarios, India and China could retain nearly 43% and 55% health cost savings
, respectively.
This is because both countries have large populations, many of whom are exposed to higher than acceptable levels of pollution
.

In addition, the study notes that the costs of climate change mitigation policies in India and China can in most cases be offset
by health cost savings.

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