Combining clean air and climate change actions can yield massive economic and health benefits, UN-backed report finds
A joint assessment reveals that simultaneously tackling air pollution and climate change through 25 coordinated policy measures can save millions of lives, significantly reduce global warming, and deliver approximately $15 in economic returns for every dollar invested.
Addressing air pollution and climate change as intertwined crises rather than isolated issues can generate powerful dual benefits, according to a newly released UN-backed assessment. The report, Hidden assets: The economic and health case for climate and clean air action, was published on the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). The findings indicate that merging climate and clean air initiatives produces substantially higher returns because both crises are often driven by the same sectors and pollutants.
The assessment outlines 25 proven measures and policy reforms spanning six key sectors: energy, industry, transport, agriculture, residential cooking and heating, and waste management. Key actions include transitioning to renewable power and electric vehicles, enforcing stronger emission standards, utilizing clean cooking fuels, and curbing super pollutants such as methane and black carbon. Immediate implementation of these measures is projected to halve global carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, cut methane by 60 percent, and avoid roughly 0.34°C of global warming by 2050.
Beyond climate stability, the health and economic incentives are substantial. The report notes that human-caused outdoor air pollution was linked to 6.4 million premature deaths worldwide in 2025, with household air pollution causing an additional two million. Full deployment of the recommended measures could prevent up to 144 million air pollution-related premature deaths by 2050 and drastically reduce incidences of chronic illnesses like childhood asthma, dementia, and pulmonary disease.
Economically, the coordinated strategy presents a highly lucrative benefit-cost ratio. The report estimates that the annual benefits of these 25 measures would equal roughly 2.8 percent of global GDP by 2035, growing to over 11 percent by 2100. Even excluding non-market gains like longer lifespans, the return on investment remains around $4 for every dollar spent. UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed the necessity of this dual approach, stating that accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels is one of the most effective strategies to clean the air, protect public health, and combat the climate crisis.
