COP-AQ - The UK-China Collaboration to Optimise Net Zero Policy options for Air Quality and Health

Abstract

Clean Air policies in the UK and China have substantially improved air quality in recent years. However, reaching the new WHO guidelines on air pollution exposure to protect health remains a major challenge in both countries. Ambitious climate policies have already delivered significant co-benefits to air quality in the past. Future net zero or carbon neutrality policies may offer opportunities to contribute to improved air quality towards meeting the WHO guidelines. However, some climate policies have potentially negative impacts on air quality.