Health co-benefits of climate mitigation in urban areas

Though an extensive and growing literature suggests that the ancillary benefits of climate mitigation policies are large, the policy impact of the co-benefits concept has been limited. We review the methodological underpinnings of recent contributions to the co-benefits literature, paying particular attention to policy, environmental, and health modeling. We conclude that future contributions should look beyond air pollution, analyze developing economies, and draw on research teams that bring sophistication on both the science and the policy aspects of the co-benefits question.

Research highlights▶ An extensive and growing literature suggests that the ancillary benefits of climate mitigation policies are large. ▶ Methodological underpinnings of recent contributions to the literature are reviewed. ▶ Future co-benefits research should look beyond air pollution, analyze developing economies, and draw on research teams that bring sophistication on both the science and the policy aspects of the co-benefits question.