EU emissions trading also brings health benefits
Again, the justification for the EU's Emissions Trading is frequently debated. A recent study now shows what the introduction of certificates since 2005 has achieved in various sectors. The achieved air quality could have health benefits worth hundreds of billions of Euros.
The climate protection in the European Union, according to Hamburg researchers, also directly benefits health. For instance, the Emissions Trading in the EU has led to a decrease in sulfur dioxide, particulate matter (PM2.5), and nitrogen oxides in the air, report Piero Basaglia, Jonas Grunau, and Moritz Drupp from the Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) Excellence Cluster of the University of Hamburg.
The EU Emissions Trading was introduced in 2005. Each participating company receives or acquires certain Emissions Allowances in the process. If it emits more greenhouse gases, it must purchase additional allowances. If it emits fewer, it can sell its allowances. The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted has decreased over time - according to the Federal Environment Agency, by around 38% in regulated sectors in Europe from 2005 to 2022.
Significantly fewer pollutants
From 2005 to 2021, according to the study, significantly fewer pollutants were produced through the Emissions Trading and simultaneously stricter air quality standards for large combustion plants: For sulfur dioxide, it was 39%, for PM2.5 fine particulate matter 28%, and for nitrogen oxides 14% - compared to a scenario without Emissions Trading and stricter Emissions Standards.
In this period, approximately 15.2 million tons of sulfur dioxide were saved, 0.9 million tons of PM2.5, and 4.8 million tons of nitrogen oxides, write the researchers in the US journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences". This corresponds to 18.3%, 3.3%, and 2.6% of the observed emissions from the entire economy of the participating countries from 2005 to 2021. The economy includes agriculture, buildings, and transport.
Substantial Additional Benefits
This study shows that the EU Emissions Trading is not only an effective instrument for reducing CO2 emissions but also offers substantial additional benefits through the reduction of air pollutants, write the researchers. "The estimated health benefits could amount to hundreds of billions of Euros, even when considering the effects of simultaneously improved Emissions Standards."
"In a comprehensive political evaluation, these additional benefits should be taken into account, which go beyond CO2 reduction, such as lower health damages through improved air quality," conclude the researchers. The communication of these benefits can contribute to increasing public support for climate political measures, as these additional benefits directly and within Europe have an impact.
The EU's focus on environmental protection, as demonstrated through the Emissions Trading system, significantly reduces CO2 emissions and leads to a decrease in other harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides. This education about the environmental and health benefits of such policies can help garner public support for climate protection measures within the EU.
