Air pollution in Asia continues to impact public health and damage agricultural productivity, tourism, and historic buildings, even as Asia’s air quality seems to be improving. Further control is needed, as Asian cities struggle to meet air quality standards and the recommended guideline values of the World Health Organization, while also being pressured to address climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

This paper outlines why a co-benefits approach is optimal in addressing climate change and air quality issues. For this view, the authors advocate for: alignment of institutional responsibilities and integrated climate change and air pollution plans and policies; combined measurement and assessment tools and databases; and expertise and financing that place climate change and greenhouse gas reduction within the context of sustainable development by explicitly including local development goals.

Download the document here: Air quality and climate change in asia: Making co-benefits work