Synergistic effect of CO2 and PM2.5 emissions from coal consumption and the impacts on health effects

Abstract

China put forward that it would strive to achieve the carbon peaking in 2030 and carbon neutrality goals in 2060, which needed realizing the synergistic effect of pollution reduction and CO₂ reduction. CO₂ and PM_2.5 from coal consumption were "homogenous and synchronous" and they had significant synergistic effect. The synergistic reduction of PM_2.5 from coal consumption could have impacts on public health. The Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) was adopted to decompose the PM_2.5 from coal consumption in China from 2012 to 2017 based on data availability and quantified the synergy. PM_2.5 emissions from coal consumption were forecasted in 2030, 2035, 2050 and 2060, and its health effects of PM_2.5 were estimated. The main conclusions were: (1) the synergy of CO₂ and PM_2.5 was the largest contribution factor of PM_2.5 from coal consumption. (2) PM_2.5 from coal consumption in 2060 would achieve the WHO air quality guidelines. (3) The most health effects economic loss from PM_2.5 generated by coal consumption in China was in 2014. The health effects economic loss would have been decreased to negative by 2050. We should reinforce the synergistic effect of CO₂ and PM_2.5, improve energy efficiency and optimize energy structure to achieve PM_2.5 pollution control and reduce health effects economic loss.

Keywords: CO(2); Coal consumption; Health effects; PM(2.5); Synergistic effect.