A UN report highlights the benefits of jointly tackling climate change and pollution

The world has entered a new era of planetary and economic challenges. Global warming is now considered likely to exceed 2.7°F, while governments simultaneously face mounting economic costs from climate change and air pollution.

A United Nations (UN) report, published on September 7, examines the economic benefits of jointly tackling climate change and air pollution.

Climate change and pollution should be addressed togetherThe latest report, “Hidden Assets: The Economic and Health Case for Climate Action and Clean Air,” from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Economic Assessment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), provides the most comprehensive economic overview to date of the benefits of addressing both issues together: climate change and pollution.

Although climate change and air pollution are often treated as separate issues, the reality is that they are closely interconnected.

Their causes largely overlap, from the burning of fossil fuels to certain agricultural practices, and several pollutants contribute to both global warming and poor air quality. Both also have cumulative and harmful effects on human health, ecosystems, and economies.

The report assesses, among other factors, the health effects of pollution, which have traditionally been underestimated, as well as the benefits lost when action is delayed.

The report underscores the importance of coordinated action. Rising pollution from wildfires and heat waves threatens to undermine global efforts to improve air quality.

For too long, climate action has been treated as a cost to manage and air pollution as an unfortunate consequence of development. However, this report