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The report synthesizes evidence on the wide-ranging health risks of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), noting that one-third of Canadians live within 250m of a major road. It details impacts across respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and reproductive systems, while highlighting that racialized and low-income populations bear a disproportionate burden. The document also analyzes how the COVID-19 pandemic both exacerbated health risks and demonstrated the potential for air quality improvement through traffic restrictions. It concludes with recommendations for pollution control policies, active transport infrastructure, and urban greening.

Heavy-duty vehicles, defined as those weighing over 10,000 pounds, contribute disproportionately to global warming and local air pollution. Despite making up only 10% of vehicles on the road, they generate over 25% of transportation sector emissions. Diesel engines emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), ground-level ozone, and particulate matter (PM), which cause respiratory and heart diseases and increase cancer risks. These pollutants disproportionately affect low-income BIPOC communities located near highways. The document argues that switching to electric heavy-duty vehicles can eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce operating costs, while emphasizing the need for stricter emissions limits on remaining diesel trucks due to their long operational lifespans.

The brief asserts that gas appliances release harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and carbon monoxide (CO), which lead to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. It highlights that indoor pollution levels can be significantly higher than outdoor levels and that vulnerable populations, particularly children and communities of color, are disproportionately affected. Furthermore, it argues that gas appliances contribute to outdoor air pollution and climate change through the emission of criteria pollutants and methane, with methane leaks from stoves and water heaters potentially reaching 110 Gg per year. The document concludes that building electrification is a critical public health intervention that can provide substantial monetized health benefits, estimated at $3.5 billion annually for California.

The document argues that adopting California's ACT and HDO rules would significantly reduce toxic air pollutants and carbon emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in Connecticut, leading to substantial health savings and economic benefits by 2050.

The report analyzes the transition of California's medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (M/HDV) fleet to zero-emission vehicles under various policy scenarios. It finds that accelerating the 100 percent ZEV sales mandate from 2040 to 2036 would increase cumulative net societal benefits by $9.9 billion by 2050, primarily through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved public health. While ZEVs currently have higher purchase costs, the analysis projects they will reach lifetime cost parity with combustion vehicles by 2030, with average vehicles purchased in 2040 saving owners over $47,000. However, the report notes that out-of-state combination trucks will remain a significant emission source, accounting for 75 percent of M/HDV GHG emissions by 2050 under the most aggressive scenario.

The analysis finds that adopting a Federal Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and NOx Omnibus policy would significantly reduce greenhouse gas and NOx emissions, create over 63,000 net jobs by 2035, and generate $487.7 billion in cumulative net societal benefits by 2050. It highlights that the EPA's baseline underestimates ZEV adoption, thereby overestimating the relative impact of NOx standards. The report projects that average Class 4-8 ZEVs will reach total cost of ownership parity with internal combustion engines by model year 2030, with significant lifetime savings by 2040.

The report analyzes the transition of Illinois's medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicle fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) under three scenarios: the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule, the ACT plus NOx Omnibus Rule, and a highly ambitious '100 x 40 ZEV + Clean Grid' scenario. The most aggressive scenario is projected to yield cumulative net societal benefits of over $44.6 billion by 2050, including 878 avoided premature deaths and 995 fewer hospital visits. While ZEVs currently have higher purchase costs, the analysis projects that the average ZEV will reach lifetime cost parity with combustion vehicles by 2030. The transition is expected to have positive macroeconomic effects, including net national job gains and increased GDP by 2035, although these gains depend on the development of U.S.-based component manufacturing. Significant infrastructure investment is required, with the 100 x 40 ZEV scenario requiring an average of $130 million annually for depot charging and $169 million for public charging networks through 2050.

The report analyzes the transition of New Mexico's medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicle fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) under three policy scenarios: the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule, the ACT Rule plus NOx Omnibus Rule, and a highly ambitious '100 x 40 ZEV + Clean Grid' scenario. The analysis finds that while ZEVs currently have higher purchase costs, they are projected to reach lifetime cost parity with combustion vehicles by 2030. The most aggressive scenario results in cumulative net societal benefits of over $6.7 billion by 2050, including 65 avoided premature deaths and 59 fewer hospital visits. Macroeconomic modeling suggests the transition would lead to national net job gains and increased GDP by 2035, with new jobs in electrical component manufacturing and infrastructure construction offering wages nearly twice as high as the jobs they replace. However, the report notes that increased electricity demand could potentially raise residential and commercial electricity rates in New Mexico by up to 2% by 2050 without effective utility planning.

The analysis examines the transition of Nevada's medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicle fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) under three scenarios: the California Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule, the ACT Rule plus the NOx Omnibus Rule, and a highly ambitious '100 x 40 ZEV + Clean Grid' scenario. The most aggressive scenario projects cumulative net societal benefits of over $9.6 billion by 2050, including 98 avoided premature deaths and 71 fewer hospital visits. While ZEVs currently have higher purchase costs, the report finds that average ZEVs in Nevada are projected to reach lifetime cost parity with combustion vehicles by 2030, eventually providing significant fuel and maintenance savings. The transition would reduce petroleum dependence, increase electricity demand, and potentially lower residential and commercial electricity rates due to increased utility net revenue. Macroeconomic modeling suggests national net job gains through 2035, with new jobs in electrical component manufacturing and infrastructure construction offering wages nearly twice as high as the jobs they replace.

The document opposes the renewal of the Title V permit for the Miami-Dade County Resources Recovery Facility (Covanta Incinerator). It argues that the draft permit fails to include necessary emission limitations from previous State Implementation Plan (SIP) and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits, lacks adequate monitoring for pollutants and odors, and contains unlawful 'director discretion' provisions. The authors emphasize that the facility is located in an environmental justice community where 92% of the population are people of color and 36% live below the poverty line, exacerbating health risks from toxic emissions and greenhouse gases.

ClientEarth argues for the full alignment of EU air quality standards with the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines through legally binding limit values. The document proposes strengthening the legislative framework by introducing an independent Scientific Advisory Board on Healthy Air, enhancing the requirements for air quality plans, and expanding monitoring to include Black Carbon and Ultrafine Particles. It further calls for explicit access to justice provisions, harmonised compensation for health damages, and the introduction of administrative penalties for public authorities that fail to comply with air quality standards.

The adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) rules in Oregon is projected to significantly reduce toxic air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicles. By 2050, these regulations are expected to reduce NOx emissions by nearly 90% and PM2.5 by over 80%, preventing approximately 156 premature deaths and 118 hospital visits. Economically, the shift is projected to generate $21.2 billion in cumulative net societal benefits by 2050, with electric truck operators seeing an estimated $60,000 in net lifetime savings per vehicle by 2040 due to lower fuel and maintenance costs.

The report details how systemic racism in Kansas City has led to the disproportionate siting of polluting industries in communities of color and low-income areas, resulting in severe health disparities. It highlights the failure of federal and state air monitoring networks to capture local pollution 'hot spots' and describes the efforts of CleanAirNow to implement community-based monitoring. The document concludes with recommendations for stricter emissions standards, real-time fenceline monitoring, and the transition to zero-emissions transportation to protect vulnerable residents.

The Healthy Air Campaign (HAC) advocates for the inclusion of Lords amendment 3 in the Environment Bill to set a legal target for PM2.5 air pollution of 10 µg/m3 by 2030. The briefing argues that current UK legal limits are double the 2005 WHO guidelines and that achieving the stricter target is feasible based on technical analysis. It highlights the severe public health impacts of PM2.5, including an estimated 40,000 premature deaths annually in the UK, and notes the economic burden of over £20bn per year. The document emphasizes that the UK risks losing its global leadership in air quality as the USA and EU move toward stricter standards.

The document argues that expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is essential to combat illegal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in London, which are nearly twice the legal limit. It details the expansion's scope, the specific vehicle emission standards required to avoid charges, and the projected health benefits, including the avoidance of 250,000 new cases of air pollution-related disease. The guide highlights that road transport, particularly diesel cars, is the primary source of NO2 pollution and emphasizes that low-income and minority communities are disproportionately affected by poor air quality. It also advocates for further measures, such as expanding the ULEZ to all of Greater London and adopting stricter World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for particulate matter (PM2.5).

The report finds that the Bargny-Sendou area already suffers from severe air pollution, with PM10 levels exceeding national standards by 193% to 540% before the full operation of new industrial projects. It argues that the cumulative impact of the coal plant, mineral port, and steel plant will exacerbate health risks and degrade local resources, including the livelihoods of 1,000 women processing fish at the Khelcom site. The study recommends a strategic environmental assessment of the zone and the conversion of the coal plant to gas.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), and IKEA are creating a guide for businesses to develop air pollutant emission inventories for their value chains, intended for publication in 2022. The initiative addresses a gap in comprehensive guidance for the private sector, aiming to align air pollution reporting with existing greenhouse gas (GHG) standards to leverage existing corporate resources. The guide will cover pollutants including particulate matter, black carbon, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, providing a framework to identify emission sources and quantify them using activity-based methods. The business case for this action includes meeting customer demands, reducing legal and financial risks—highlighted by multimillion-dollar fines for companies like Toyota and ExxonMobil—and improving operational efficiency.

The briefing advocates for a 'Clean Trucks New Jersey' program, combining the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) and Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) rules to replace diesel trucks with zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Based on an MJ Bradley & Associates study, the program is projected to deliver $11.6 billion in societal benefits by 2050, including significant reductions in NOx and PM2.5, avoided premature deaths, and nearly 19 million metric tons of avoided CO2-equivalent emissions. The authors emphasize that while these rules are a start, additional targeted measures are necessary to protect environmental justice communities, particularly in areas like Camden County, Newark, and Elizabeth, which suffer disproportionate pollution impacts.

The document highlights the challenges of rapid urbanization in India, where urban freight contributes significantly to emissions, congestion, and road fatalities. It argues that with demand for urban freight expected to rise by 140 percent this decade, implementing specific freight management measures is essential to lower logistics costs and meet climate goals.

The report argues that the 2019 IRP's goal of adding 1500 MW of new coal generation is technically and environmentally problematic. It concludes that 'clean coal' is a myth, as even high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) technologies cannot eliminate significant air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The author finds that advanced ultra-supercritical plants and carbon capture technologies are currently unproven or cost-prohibitive at scale, making them unlikely to be implemented. Furthermore, the report asserts that the 2023 timeline for the first 750 MW is unrealistic and that new plants would inevitably cause harm to human and environmental health through emissions of toxic organic compounds, trace metals, and acid gases, as well as impacts from the broader coal supply chain.