Publications
Air quality & health impacts of coal-fired power in the Philippines
This report “Air Quality & Health Impacts of Coal-fired Power in the Philippines” studies how the existing coal capacity of 10 GW in the country is responsible for many negative health impacts, including 630 air pollution-related deaths in 2019. Another 9 GW of coal is under construction or in permitting phases, and will only increase premature deaths, other diseases and the associated economic costs.
China Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Domestic 14th Power Five-Year-Plan (FYP)
To achieve the Paris Agreement target to limit the average global temperature rise this century below 2°C, emissions from the energy sector would need to peak as soon as possible and show a clear decline by 2030. This report “China Nationally Determined Contribution and Domestic 14th Power Five-Year-Plan” analyzes China’s potential to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and the country’s changes to its policy actions over the next five years.
Air quality, health and toxics impacts of the proposed coal power cluster in Chattogram, Bangladesh
This study on Air quality, health and toxics impacts of the proposed coal power cluster in Chattogram, Bangladesh presents insight on the proposed eight coal-fired power plant project in Cox’s Bazar and the increased health and air pollution implications within the area. Together, the plants would emit 1,600 kg of mercury, with one-third of this leaking into cropland and freshwater ecosystems. Given a 30-year operating life, the air pollution emissions from the plants would increase air pollution-related deaths by 30,000.
Transboundary Air Pollution in the Jakarta, Banten, and West Java provinces
Air pollution in Indonesia’s capital city and surrounding provinces has been increasing with Jakarta recording 172 days of “unhealthy” air quality in 2019. The report “Transboundary Air Pollution in the Jakarta, Banten, and West Java provinces” examines how transboundary air pollution is carried to Jakarta by wind and other mechanisms, and the health and economic impacts this is having on Jakarta and on its residents.
Ranking the World’s Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Hotspots: 2019-2020
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless air pollutant that is invisible to the human eye, widespread and hazardous to human health. Breathing SO2 increases the risk of health conditions including stroke, heart disease, asthma, lung cancer and premature death.
Documenting and understanding the global sources of SO2 emissions helps guide efforts to stop SO2 pollution, reduce the health impacts of air pollution and exposes the toxic consequences of fossil fuel use. This report ‘Ranking the World’s Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Hotspots: 2019-2020‘ investigates the sources and geographical distribution of the industries responsible for major SO2 emissions that have been identified by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) across the globe.
Health Impacts of Germany’s Proposed Coal Power Plant Emissions Limits
German hard coal and lignite-fired power plants are among the worst industrial polluters in Europe, responsible for an estimated 4,400 deaths in 2013, second only to Poland. The European Environment Agency’s (2014) found that out that of the 20 European thermal power plants causing the most economic damage through their air pollutant emissions, five were in Germany.
Coal power projects accelerate after COVID-19 lockdown: A New Coal Boom in China
This briefing “A New Coal Boom in China” shows that the slowing down of new coal plant developments in China has come to an end. The Chinese coal industry has been steadily increasing its plans for new coal plants, since the government started relaxing restrictions on coal developments in 2019. Now, the capacity under development is larger than the entire coal fleets of countries such as the USA or India.
Impact of COVID-19 led lockdown on Air Pollution Levels in Bengaluru
The report “Impact of COVID-19 led lockdown on Air Pollution Levels in Bengaluru” analyses the local air quality data from 26 locations in Bengaluru, India and looks at local sources of pollution to understand variations and linkages in pollution levels and sources of pollution before and during the COVID-19 led lockdown.
Air Quality and Health Impacts of the Proposed EMBA Hunutlu Coal Power Project
Four new coal plant projects are planned in the Iskenderun Bay area, with the EMBA Hunutlu project being the closest to coming into existence. This 2 x 660 MW coal plant in Turkey, combined with the prevailing power plants, will put thousands of people at risk of breathing polluted air. The brief “Air Quality and Health Impacts of the Proposed EMBA Hunutlu Coal Power Project” evaluates many more health impacts of this project.
Air quality, health and toxic impacts of the proposed coal mining and power cluster in Thar, Pakistan
A cluster of coal mines and power plants is proposed in the Thar region of Pakistan which will host 9 power plants with a total capacity of 3,700 megawatts (660 megawatt out of which has already been commissioned) and lignite coal mines. The report “Air quality, health and toxics impacts of the proposed coal mining and power cluster in Thar, Pakistan” assesses the impacts of these power plants and coal mines on air quality and public health.
Air quality, health and toxics impacts of the proposed coal power cluster in Payra, Bangladesh
A massive cluster of coal-fired power plants, with a total of 8 power plants and a total capacity of 9.8 gigawatts is being proposed in Payra, Bangladesh, making it the second-largest in South Asia and fourth-largest in the world. The report “Air quality, health and toxics impacts of the proposed coal power cluster in Payra, Bangladesh” assesses the impacts of these power plants on air quality, public health and fisheries.
Boom and Bust 2020: Tracking the Global Coal Plant Pipeline
The global coal fleet grew by 34 gigawatts in 2019. However, for the fourth consecutive year, the number of new coal power developments decreased in 2019. More information on this topic in the report “Boom and Bust 2020: Tracking The Global Coal Plant Pipeline”, which was prepared in collaboration with three other organizations.
Quantifying the Economic Costs of Air Pollution from Fossil Fuels
This paper is the first to assess the global economic burden caused by air pollution from fossil fuels. It incorporates many recent first-of-a-kind findings, including the first study to assess the contribution of fossil fuels to global air pollution levels and health impacts, as well as novel research on the burden of asthma and diabetes linked to air pollution.
