Resources for the Future Inc.
05/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/29/2026 15:18
Incorporating Air Quality Health Impacts Into the Social Cost of Carbon
Incorporating Air Quality Health Impacts Into the Social Cost of Carbon
This article provides a comprehensive framework for determining which air quality impacts belong in the social cost of carbon, which is an estimate that measures economic damages from each additional ton of carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere.
Date
May 28, 2026
Authors
Cora Kingdon, Kevin R. Cromar, Susan C. Anenberg, Gaige Hunter Kerr, Brian C. Prest, Kristine Rabii, and David Anthoff
Publication
Journal Article in Nature Climate ChangeReading time
1 minuteAbstract
Increased exposure to air pollution is one of the primary mechanisms by which climate change causes adverse health impacts. However, it is currently not included in estimates of the social cost of carbon (SCC), a key economic metric used in climate policy analysis. Here we provide a comprehensive framework for determining which air quality impacts belong in the SCC and assess the strength of currently available evidence for incorporation into SCC modelling work. We find that many air quality impacts belong in the SCC but are missing from current models, among which wildfire smoke and surface-level ozone should be prioritized in near-term modelling efforts. Further research is needed to quantify and model other kinds of air pollution induced by climate change.
Topics
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