Research
Health-related impacts of decarbonization in Canada
July, 2020
Summary
Actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with Canada’s climate targets will also improve air quality via a reduction in criteria air contaminants (CACs), which are known to cause negative human health impacts. This project, commissioned by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), quantifies the air pollution, health and economic impacts of a scenario under which Canada achieves its 2030 Paris Agreement target and 2050 net-zero GHG emissions pledge.
Highlights:
- If Canada reduces GHG emissions to net-zero by 2050, the associated reduction in CAC emissions will lead to an estimated $30.5-100.1 billion in avoided health costs in 2050.
- This reduction in CAC emissions will lead to an estimated 112,081 lives saved cumulatively between 2030 and 2050.
- In a scenario where Canada achieves its climate targets and these health benefits, the clean economy could grow from $45.8 billion and 210,000 jobs in 2020 to $286.4 billion and 1.5 million jobs in 2050.
Click above to download the technical report.
Click above to download CAPE’s report.
Download the report or visit CAPE’s report web page.
This study was commissioned and funded by CAPE.
To learn more about this research, please contact Brianne Riehl.
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