Integrated Policies for Climate, Air, Ecosystems, Energy and Transport

Three perspectives on the problems around climate and energy use and their relationship to ecosystems and human well-being in terms of air pollution are provided. (1) Macro-level interdependencies and trade-offs. The stringency of global mitigation will determine climate impacts on human and natural systems. The rate of climate change has implications for how quickly systems can adapt, as does dependence on bio-energy and biomass. (2) Country, regional, and local transformations and vulnerabilities. Mitigation action at a global level will determine the intensity of potential trade-offs between mitigation measures and their potential (in)direct impacts on ecosystems and human well-being at smaller scales, notably concerning the water, energy, land nexus. (3) Climate mitigation, transport and air quality. Electrified transport causes non-exhaust emissions and may cause distant emissions with different health impacts if the electricity comes from fossil sources, so policies must go beyond inducing manufacturers to produce cleaner vehicles and electric vehicles.