Picciano, P., Qiu, M., Eastham, S.D. et al. Air quality related equity implications of U.S. decarbonization policy. Nat Commun

Objective:

• Examine the underlying fundamental question of whether and to what extent national CO2 policy with an ambition level comparable to near-term federal goals can mitigate racial/ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure

Case:

• US

Methodology:

• Economy-wide, energy-economy modelling tool (USREP-ReEDS)

Data Source

• CO2
• PM2.5, NH3, VOC

Findings:

• CO2 emission reductions relative to baseline in 2030 are driven mostly by the electricity sector, followed by transportation, industry, and residential and commercial sector.

• Air pollution exposure decreases for all racial/ethnic groups in the primary policy cases

• It doesn’t reduce exposure disparities at the national level

• A considerable amount of heterogeneity at the state and urban area level

Coding Reference:

• R