Sun Yisheng, Jiang Yueqi, Xing Jia, Ou Yang, Wang Shuxiao, Loughlin Daniel H, Yu Sha, Ren Lu, Li Shengyue, Dong Zhaoxin, Zheng Haotian, Zhao Bin, Ding Dian, Zhang Fenfen, Zhang Haowen, Song Qian, Liu Kaiyun, Klimont Zbigniew, Woo Jung-Hun, Lu Xi, Li Siwei, Hao Jiming
State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
Environ Sci Technol. 2024 Aug 12. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10076.
In the pursuit of carbon neutrality, China's 2060 targets have been largely anchored in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with less emphasis on the consequential benefits for air quality and public health. This study pivots to this critical nexus, exploring how China's carbon neutrality aligns with the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines (WHO AQG) regarding fine particulate matter (PM) exposure. Coupling a technology-rich integrated assessment model, an emission-concentration response surface model, and exposure and health assessment, we find that decarbonization reduces sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen oxides (NO), and PM emissions by more than 90%; reduces nonmethane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) by more than 50%; and simultaneously reduces the disparities across regions. Critically, our analysis reveals that further targeted reductions in air pollutants, notably NH and non-energy-related NMVOCs, could bring most Chinese cities into attainment of WHO AQG for PM 5 to 10 years earlier than the pathway focused solely on carbon neutrality. Thus, the integration of air pollution control measures into carbon neutrality strategies will present a significant opportunity for China to attain health and environmental equality.
在追求碳中和的过程中，中国的2060年目标主要集中在减少温室气体排放上，对空气质量和公众健康的相应益处关注较少。本研究转向这一关键联系，探讨中国的碳中和如何与世界卫生组织关于细颗粒物（PM）暴露的空气质量指南（WHO AQG）保持一致。通过结合一个技术丰富的综合评估模型、一个排放-浓度响应面模型以及暴露和健康评估，我们发现脱碳可使二氧化硫（SO）、氮氧化物（NO）和PM排放量减少90%以上；使非甲烷挥发性有机化合物（NMVOCs）减少50%以上；并同时缩小地区间差距。至关重要的是，我们的分析表明，进一步有针对性地减少空气污染物，特别是NH和与能源无关的NMVOCs，可能会使大多数中国城市比仅专注于碳中和的路径提前5至10年达到WHO AQG对PM的标准。因此，将空气污染控制措施纳入碳中和战略将为中国实现健康与环境平等提供重大机遇。
