Air And GHG Emissions

Air and GHG Emissions: What They Are and How to Reduce Them

Air and GHG emissions are a major environmental issue that affects the climate and human health. GHG stands for greenhouse gas, which is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. The main GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. Air emissions also include pollutants such as sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can cause smog, acid rain, and respiratory problems.

Sources and Trends of Air and GHG Emissions

The main sources of air and GHG emissions are human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture, industry, waste, and land use change. According to the OECD Air and GHG Emissions Indicator, the total GHG emissions of the OECD countries decreased by 9.6% from 1990 to 2018, while the CO2 emissions from fuel combustion decreased by 4.7%. However, the global GHG emissions increased by 60% and the CO2 emissions increased by 68% in the same period. This shows that the OECD countries have made some progress in reducing their emissions, but more efforts are needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit the global temperature rise to well below 2°C.

Impacts and Challenges of Air and GHG Emissions

Air and GHG emissions have significant impacts on the environment and society. They cause climate change, which leads to more extreme weather events, sea level rise, melting glaciers, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation. They also affect human health, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, elderly, and people with chronic diseases. Air pollution can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and premature death. According to the OECD Cost of Air Pollution Indicator, the annual deaths from outdoor air pollution in the OECD countries increased from 600,000 in 1990 to 790,000 in 2015, and the economic cost was estimated at 3.8% of GDP in 2015.

The main challenges of reducing air and GHG emissions are the dependence on fossil fuels, the lack of effective policies and regulations, the uneven distribution of responsibilities and benefits, and the uncertainty and complexity of the future scenarios. To overcome these challenges, the OECD countries need to implement more ambitious and coordinated actions, such as increasing the share of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, promoting low-carbon technologies and innovation, enhancing carbon pricing and taxation, and supporting green recovery and transition.

Other Indicators Related to Air and Climate

The OECD provides a number of indicators related to air and climate that can help monitor the progress and performance of the OECD countries in this area. Some of these indicators are:

Water Withdrawals Indicator: This indicator measures the total amount of water abstracted from freshwater sources for human use, such as agriculture, industry, and households. It can indicate the pressure on water resources and the potential for water scarcity and conflicts.
Forest Resources Indicator: This indicator measures the forest area, the growing stock, and the carbon stock of the forests. It can indicate the state and changes of the forest ecosystems, which provide multiple benefits such as biodiversity, timber, recreation, and climate regulation.
Municipal Waste Indicator: This indicator measures the amount and composition of waste generated and treated by the municipal sector, such as households, offices, and Projectss. It can indicate the consumption patterns, the waste management practices, and the environmental impacts of waste.
Renewable Energy Indicator: This indicator measures the share of renewable energy sources in the total primary energy supply, the electricity generation, and the final energy consumption. It can indicate the progress and potential of the transition to a low-carbon energy system.

Benefits and Opportunities of Reducing Air and GHG Emissions

Reducing air and GHG emissions is not only a necessity, but also an opportunity for the OECD countries to improve their environmental quality, economic competitiveness, and social well-being. Some of the benefits and opportunities of reducing emissions are:

Health Benefits: Reducing air and GHG emissions can prevent millions of premature deaths and reduce the burden of diseases caused by air pollution. It can also improve the mental health and well-being of the population by providing a cleaner and more pleasant environment.
Economic Benefits: Reducing air and GHG emissions can save costs and generate revenues for the OECD countries. It can save costs by avoiding the damages and losses from climate change impacts, such as disasters, health care, and adaptation. It can generate revenues by creating new markets and jobs in the green economy, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon innovation.
Social Benefits: Reducing air and GHG emissions can enhance the social equity and cohesion of the OECD countries. It can enhance social equity by reducing the exposure and vulnerability of the poor and marginalized groups to air pollution and climate change. It can enhance social cohesion by fostering a sense of collective responsibility and solidarity among the citizens and stakeholders.
Environmental Benefits: Reducing air and GHG emissions can protect and restore the natural capital and ecosystem services of the OECD countries. It can protect the natural capital by preserving the biodiversity, soil, water, and other resources that are essential for life. It can restore the ecosystem services by improving the functions and benefits of the natural systems, such as carbon sequestration, water purification, and pollination.

Policy Recommendations for Reducing Air and GHG Emissions

The OECD countries have a key role and responsibility in reducing air and GHG emissions, as they are among the largest emitters and the most developed economies in the world. The OECD provides a range of policy recommendations and best practices for the OECD countries to achieve their emission reduction targets and enhance their environmental performance. Some of these policy recommendations are:

Align Policies for a Green Recovery: The OECD countries should use the opportunity of the post-pandemic recovery to align their policies and investments with the green transition. They should support the sectors and workers that are most affected by the crisis and the transition, and ensure a fair and inclusive recovery. They should also avoid locking-in carbon-intensive and polluting activities, and phase out harmful subsidies and incentives for fossil fuels.
Strengthen Carbon Pricing and Taxation: The OECD countries should increase and harmonize their carbon prices and taxes, which are the most cost-effective and efficient instruments for reducing emissions. They should cover all sources and sectors of emissions, and reflect the social cost of carbon. They should also use the revenues from carbon pricing and taxation to support low-carbon development and address the distributional impacts of the transition.
Enhance International Cooperation and Coordination: The OECD countries should cooperate and coordinate with other countries and regions, especially the major emitters and the developing countries, to achieve the global goals and commitments of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. They should provide financial and technical assistance, share best practices and lessons learned, and promote multilateral and bilateral dialogues and partnerships.

Conclusion

Air and GHG emissions are a serious environmental problem that affects the climate and human health. The OECD countries have made some progress in reducing their emissions, but they need to do more to meet the global challenges and opportunities of the green transition. The OECD provides a number of indicators and policy recommendations to help the OECD countries improve their environmental performance and achieve their emission reduction goals. By reducing air and GHG emissions, the OECD countries can benefit from a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future.