TSKB Economic Research Draws Attention to the Striking Effects of Air Pollution in ‘Climate Review’
The ninth issue of Climate Review, prepared by TSKB Economic Research, examines the relationship between air pollution and the economy in detail under many sub-headings. The study points out that Türkiye’s regulations in areas such as incentives for cleaner production, vehicle emission standards, sustainable agricultural production practices, air quality management strategies and air quality measurement are classified as “adequate” by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The ninth issue of the quarterly report Climate Review, prepared by TSKB Economic Research was published. This issue of Climate Review, which focuses on the relationship between climate and development economy, scrutinizes air pollution. In addition to the health impacts of air pollution, the study also includes many striking information on its overall economic effects under the sub-headings of growth, welfare and productivity.
“Türkiye is making efforts to limit the negative effects of air pollution”
Climate Review states that Türkiye’s air pollution indicators are similar to the global average. For example, a study by UNEP found that 15 percent of deaths worldwide in 2019 were caused by ambient air pollution due to fine particulate matter, compared to 16 percent in Türkiye. On the other hand, Türkiye’s population is exposed to an annual average of 26 micrograms per cubic meter (26 µg/m3) of PM2.5 particles, which is 5.2 times higher than the World Health Organization threshold. In terms of efforts to limit the negative impacts of air pollution, the UNEP report finds that Türkiye is adequate in areas such as incentives for clean production, vehicle emission standards, sulphur content in fuels, air quality standards, sustainable agricultural production practices, air quality management strategies and air quality measurement. However, solid waste incineration is classified as an area in need of improvement.
Losses from air pollution could reach 1 percent of global production by 2060
The study comprehensively examines the relationship between air pollution and economic growth, addressing factors such as decreased labor productivity due to diseases caused by polluted air, increased health costs, and loss of agricultural productivity due to adverse changes in soil and water. The study, which states that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicts that the economic effects of air pollution may increase to 1 percent of global production by 2060, also shares striking data that air pollution claims more lives every year than deaths caused by Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021.
Türkiye ranks third following China and India in transportation-related emission increase
Among the effective solutions the study mentions to combat air pollution, practices such as incentives for cleaner production, vehicle emission standards and air quality measurement come to the fore. It is underlined that Türkiye has room for improvement in terms of methane gas emissions, one of the main drivers of air pollution and one of the main outputs of the transportation sector. According to the assessment of the non-governmental organization Climate Transparency, with an increase of 22 percent in the 2020-2021 period, Türkiye’s transportation-related emissions saw the highest rate of increase after China and India among G20 countries.
The main agenda item in climate finance is the rapid realization of green investment projects
In addition to the prominent developments in the climate-economy relationship in the last three months, Climate Review includes topics such as climate finance, climate justice, and companies that stand out in transformation, as well as detailed evaluations on the 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27). Among the issues highlighted by the TSKB Economic Research Team, which followed the conference on site, are the decision to establish a “loss and damage” fund, which has been on the agenda for more than 30 years, the decision to respond to demands for reforms in climate finance, and the continuation of the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This is of Climate Review, which also includes the report titled “Finance for Climate Action” an agenda item at COP27, underlines that the main issue in climate finance is the rapid realization of green investment projects.
You can access the full report from the links below:
Turkish: https://www.tskb.com.tr/uploads/file/iklime-dair-2022-4-final.pdf
English: https://www.tskb.com.tr/uploads/file/climate-review-eng-final.pdf
