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The document details how climate change increases health risks through heatwaves, air pollution, extreme weather, and vector-borne diseases, while threatening mental health, food security, and water access in Canada.

The study evaluates the interactions between land policies and energy technology subsidies in eastern Africa, finding that while sustainable biomass production can reduce GHG emissions by 10%, it may delay health and energy access goals. Conversely, an optimized portfolio of technology subsidies could further reduce GHG emissions by 10%, lower air pollution mortality by 20%, and increase energy access by 15%. The analysis highlights the importance of prioritizing biogas, LPG, and ethanol for synergistic benefits, while PV technologies primarily improve energy access.

The report details various direct and indirect U.S. tax subsidies for coal, oil, and natural gas, alongside federal R&D funding and overseas financing. It highlights that global fossil fuel subsidies, including negative externalities, reached $5.2 trillion in 2017. The authors argue that these subsidies are difficult to justify given the maturity of the industry and the severe health, environmental, and climate externalities—such as the social cost of carbon and air pollution deaths—that are not reflected in fuel prices.

The document highlights a disparity in India's energy transition funding, noting that fuel price cuts for gasoline and diesel between October 2018 and June 2019 cost the government significantly more than the budget for its flagship electric vehicle program.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) is urging the South African government to penalize Eskom for chronic air pollution at the Kendal power station. Evidence from 2016-2019 shows frequent exceedances of particulate matter (PM) limits, with some units emitting 12 to 13 times the allowable limit. The CER argues that previous enforcement notices have been ineffective and that Eskom is violating both its AEL and the National Environmental Management Act's duty of care, impacting the health of communities in the Highveld Priority Area.

Two national surveys of American adults found that 47% are willing to pay more per month for 100% renewable electricity, with an overall average willingness to pay of $16.25. The highest willingness to pay is associated with liberal Democrats, younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, those with graduate degrees, and individuals who perceive renewable energy as economically beneficial or fossil fuel pollution as harmful to health. Notably, higher income does not correlate with a higher willingness to pay, suggesting the issue is not primarily about affordability.

Based on two national surveys conducted between 2018 and 2019, the report finds that 47% of Americans are willing to pay more for renewable energy, with an overall average additional payment of $16.25 per month. Willingness to pay is driven by perceptions of health risks from fossil fuels, economic benefits of renewables, and political ideology, rather than income levels.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal campaign and several environmental justice alliances, formally objects to a proposed amendment by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to double the Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Minimum Emission Standard (MES) for new plants in sub-category 1.1 from 500 mg/Nm3 to 1000 mg/Nm3. The CER argues that this weakening of standards is unlawful, violates the South African Constitution's right to a healthy environment, and would lead to significant premature deaths and exacerbated air pollution in priority areas.

Lawyers for Human Rights requested consent for UN Special Rapporteur David Richard Boyd to act as amicus curiae in a South African court case (NGHC case no 39724/19). Boyd intended to provide international and comparative legal perspectives on State obligations regarding air pollution and the right to a healthy environment to assist the court in interpreting the NEM: Air Quality Act and the South African Constitution.

The report evaluates options for replacing Poland's Bełchatów Lignite Power Plant, concluding that a 'Coal Exit' strategy by 2035—replacing coal with renewables (RES) and gas—is more cost-efficient and beneficial for health and employment than maintaining current policies. The Coal Exit scenario is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 38% and total system costs by €64 billion compared to the Reference scenario, while increasing total employment by 76%. Specifically, phasing out Bełchatów earlier contributes €4 billion to these savings and approximately 50 million tonnes to the overall CO2 reduction.

The document details various direct and indirect U.S. tax subsidies for coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as federal R&D funding and overseas financing. It highlights the contradiction between these subsidies and global climate targets, noting that global fossil fuel subsidies reached $5.2 trillion in 2017. The text also analyzes the 'externalities' of fossil fuels, including the social cost of carbon, public health crises, and environmental degradation, while reviewing legislative efforts in the 116th Congress to reform energy tax credits.

The report analyzes how China and India are tackling coal-driven air pollution through stricter emission standards, renewable energy subsidies, and improved air quality monitoring, contrasting these efforts with Indonesia's current policy landscape. It highlights that while China and India are shifting toward renewables and implementing rigorous coal plant standards, Indonesia continues to expand its coal capacity and maintains more lenient emission limits and scarce air quality data.

The document analyzes the tension between India's push for electric vehicle (EV) adoption and its continued support for fossil fuels. While the government has significantly increased EV funding through the FAME II scheme, it simultaneously provided substantial price support for petrol and diesel in 2018-2019 to counter rising oil prices. The authors argue that these fuel subsidies undermine the energy transition and that the environmental benefits of EVs will only be fully realized as India decarbonizes its coal-heavy electricity grid.

The assessment found that while small and mid-sized privately owned biodigesters provide health, environmental, and economic benefits, the 'community biodigester' model envisioned by Bangladesh's ILMM policy is not currently operational due to a lack of social capital and group financing. Adoption depends on access to finance, technical knowledge, livestock, and land.

The report finds that 14 industrial facilities in South Africa's Mpumalanga Highveld Priority Area (HPA) caused between 305 and 650 early deaths in 2016 due to PM2.5 pollution. The most significant contributors were the Lethabo, Kendal, and Kriel power stations. Modeling indicates that compliance with the 2020 Minimum Emission Standards (MES) would reduce these annual early deaths by 60%, preventing between 182 and 388 deaths. The report also highlights severe exceedances of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for SO2 and NO2, particularly at sensitive sites like schools and hospitals. In 2016, these 14 facilities accounted for up to 92% of the daily ambient SO2 limit, suggesting that national air quality standards cannot be met without reducing emissions from these specific sources.

The report advocates for "subsidy swaps," where governments redirect financial support from fossil fuels to clean energy (renewables and energy efficiency). It argues that while removing fossil fuel subsidies alone can reduce emissions, swapping those funds into clean energy magnifies long-term climate benefits and supports a "just transition" for workers and communities. The document provides evidence from India, Indonesia, Zambia, and Morocco to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and suggests that governments should focus on large-scale on-grid renewables and leveraging private finance to maximize impact.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis reveals that Asian American, African American, and Latino residents in Massachusetts face significantly higher exposure to PM2.5 from cars, trucks, and buses than white residents. This disparity is attributed to historical decisions regarding transportation, housing, and land use. The document advocates for prioritizing clean transportation technologies—such as electric vehicles and buses—and infrastructure improvements in the most burdened communities to reduce health inequities.

The analysis finds that Latino, Asian American, and African American residents in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are exposed to significantly higher levels of vehicle-related PM2.5 pollution than white residents. The report highlights that white residents comprise 85% of those in the lowest pollution areas, while people of color are overrepresented in the most polluted census tracts, often located near major highways in urban centers. The document argues for targeted investments in clean transportation, such as electric vehicles and buses, to reduce these environmental inequities.

A December 2018 survey of 1,114 US adults found that while 73% believe fossil fuel air pollution harms health, only 55% could name a specific health problem. Most respondents cited general respiratory issues, while neurological problems, diabetes, and kidney disease were largely unknown. Additionally, 56% believe certain groups are more vulnerable to these effects, most frequently identifying seniors and those in polluted areas.

Natural Justice submitted a set of recommendations to the County Government of Kilifi to improve the 2018 draft Air Quality Regulations. The organization argues for the inclusion of more stringent penalties, the removal of exemptions for contaminant discharge, and the requirement that the County Director of Environment (representing NEMA) be involved in notifications and monitoring to ensure transparency and compliance with national laws and the Constitution of Kenya.