China, California proper examples in climate fight

SAN FRANCISCO: Addressing climate change and air pollution simultaneously delivers significant public health benefits, a new study has found, and California and China, with their ambitious policies and innovative approaches, offer exemplary models for the world to follow.

California, a pioneer in integrating public health into its air and climate policies, serves as a model for incorporating measurable public health indicators into policy and establishing robust monitoring networks, according to a report by the California-china Climate Institute.

Meanwhile, China has emerged as a front-runner in mitigating both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, simultaneously boasting a comprehensive climate policy framework and a large-scale air quality monitoring system.

“Both jurisdictions provide good examples. Case studies from Los Angeles, Beijing, and Shenzhen shed insights into real-world examples of how cities are considering air quality and climate change in tandem,” said Rixin Zhu, co-author of the report and a fellow at California-china Climate Institute.

The report revealed synergies between tackling climate change and improving air quality by analysing policies and programmes implemented in California and China.

For example, Los Angeles successfully combines scientific research with policymaking and integrates public health indicators in its air and climate policies. Beijing and Shenzhen are actively devising public health indicators and further controlling air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by implementing “coordinated control” policies and carbon markets.

For the best practices implemented in California and China, the report highlights Los Angeles for “effective regional and cross-agency coordination” and the inclusion of “explicit public health motivations” as part of air and climate policy actions.

The examples of Beijing and Shenzhen share lessons of coordinated regional action, as well as the “coordinated control” of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, said the researchers.

Sarah Rees, assistant deputy executive officer at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, noted that if greenhouse emissions can be reduced in Southern California, then the reduced air pollution levels would translate into lower rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The report highlights specific success stories from both regions. Los Angeles’ “Smartairla165” programme utilises asthma-tracking technology to monitor cases throughout the city, aiming to reduce pollution and its subsequent hospitalisations.

“Reduced air pollution levels would translate into lower rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.”

Sarah Rees