Tackling air pollution could save Europe €183bn by 2025

9th October 2018


Web cleanair cover f

Related Topics

Related tags

  • Technology ,
  • Transport ,
  • EU ,
  • Pollution & Waste Management ,
  • Air

Author

Uchechukwu Okere

Smog-reduction technologies could save Europe approximately €183bn (£161bn) in health-related costs over the next seven years, according to new research by Deloitte and InnoEnergy.

In a report launched today in Brussels, the two companies outline how innovative transport and heating solutions could help improve air quality and provide savings equivalent to 1.2% of the EU’s annual GDP.

This comes in response to the European Commission finding that smog may account for one in every 10 premature deaths around the world, and could cost the EU a whopping €475bn between 2018 and 2025.

The technologies analysed that could help cut these costs include smart public transport systems, smart buildings, distributed energy generation and storage, and electro mobility.

Speaking at the report’s launch, former president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, said: “Smog is one of the most critical public health concerns of the century.

“The report offers practical solutions that could help improve our citizens’ health and that could benefit the whole society. We must start implementing it throughout the EU without any delay.”

The estimated health costs outlined in the new research relate to premature deaths, rising healthcare bill, protracted illnesses, absences, and lower on-the-job productivity.

Up to 90% of Europeans living in cities are exposed to unsafe levels of toxic air, according to the report, despite the fact that there have been decreases in industrial pollution since 1990.

In Western Europe this typically originates from transportation, while heating is the main source of smog in eastern countries, with young people always among the worst affected.

The report suggests that cooperation between the private and public sector will be key to tackling the problem, but that public awareness will also be crucial if people are to accept policies like congestion charges.

“In general, there is a direct correlation between education and concern about the environment,” the report states. “Citizens are more likely to take action on air pollution if other direct benefits are emphasised.”

Image credit: InnoEnergy

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

UK’s CCUS strategy based on outdated assumptions, government warned

The UK government’s carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) strategy is based on optimistic techno-economic assumptions that are now outdated, Carbon Tracker has warned.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s climate adaptation plans are ‘inadequate’ and falling ‘far short’ of what is required, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned today.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK’s net-zero economy grew 9% last year while delivering higher paid jobs than average and attracting billions of pounds in private investment, analysis by CBI Economics has uncovered.

28th February 2024

Read more

A consortium including IEMA and the Good Homes Alliance have drafted a letter to UK government ministers expressing disappointment with the proposed Future Homes Standard.

26th February 2024

Read more

Campaign group Wild Justice has accused the UK government of trying to relax pollution rules for housebuilders “through the backdoor”.

14th February 2024

Read more

Three-quarters of UK adults are concerned about the impact that climate change will have on their bills, according to polling commissioned by Positive Money.

13th February 2024

Read more

All major housing developments in England will be required by law to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity under new rules that came into force today.

12th February 2024

Read more

The crisis engulfing nature poses a massive risk to the global economy. Huw Morris reports on how the finance sector is adopting new measures for disclosing business activities and channelling investment

1st February 2024

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close