That is according to a report by the Clean Air Fund, commissioned by CBI Economics and WSP, which forecasts 264,000 avoided premature deaths – a number of lives equivalent to the population of a city roughly the size of Newcastle.
The analysis also suggests almost 500,000 avoided hospital admissions from respiratory and cardiovascular conditions – easing NHS pressure and saving taxpayer money – as well as 38 million additional working days due to reduced illness-related absences.
Furthermore, the report claims that cleaner air could result in almost 2.5 million school days gained – with potential wider benefits for educational outcomes and reduced working days lost by parents and carers.
Air pollution is the UK’s biggest environmental risk to human health, costing more than £500m a week in illness, NHS care and productivity losses. Reduced exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) through decarbonisation would slash these costs.
“Improved air quality is one of the most significant and immediate benefits of net zero delivery, with the potential to add nearly £8bn to the economy by 2050,” explained Jane Burston, CEO of the Clean Air Fund.
“For the UK to make the most of this opportunity, we should be accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles and clean heat sources for residential and commercial buildings, alongside wider decarbonisation measures that will significantly improve people’s health.”
London would account for over 9 million working days gained through reduced air pollution, and more than 44,000 avoided premature deaths – capturing approximately 17% of UK-wide avoided deaths, despite representing around 13% of the population.
In addition, black carbon emissions with PM2.5 could fall by 37% under net-zero policies, according to the report, improving short- and long-term health outcomes.
This comes after London mayor Sadiq Khan recently triggered a high air pollution alert for the capital, urging residents to take steps to protect their health and reduce emissions.
Deputy mayor for environment and energy, Mete Coban, said: “The findings of this report are clear: air pollution isn’t just an environmental matter, but also an issue of social justice, because poor air quality disproportionately affects people in more deprived areas.
“In London, where baseline pollution levels have historically been higher, the evidence shows that the impact of the Mayor’s bold action has been even greater. The action we are taking is saving lives, reducing ill health and boosting productivity, while also reducing long‑standing health inequalities.”
Image credit: Shutterstock
Chris Seekings is the Deputy Editor of ISEP’s Transform magazine, which is published biomonthly for ISEP members. Chris’s role involves writing sustainability-related news, features and interviews, as well as helping to plan and manage the magazine’s other day-to-day activities.
