Climate Change Mitigation, Air Quality and Health (CLIMAQ-H)

Climate change mitigation policies that reduce emissions also improve air quality, bringing health co-benefits – the so-called Health Climate Bonus. The CLIMAQ-H software can be used to estimate the health and related economic gains achieved by Member States of the WHO European Region by implementing actions and measures aimed at mitigating climate change by reducing domestic carbon emissions. These actions and measures, specifically intended to decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, are those defined by the Paris Agreement and reported by governments in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). CLIMAQ-H is a tool for Member States to assess the outcomes of climate-driven policies and support decision-making, or for screening “what-if” scenarios – such as different carbon-reduction options – by comparing the potential health co-benefits achieved by implementing their NDC targets.