Meghan Hodges
While most countries are not doing enough to fight pollution, some are taking steps to tackle the climate crisis. In 2015, 194 states and the European Union signed the Paris Agreement, committing to limit global warming to below 2°C, with a goal of 1.5°C. The UK, Norway, France, and New Zealand have legally pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and the UK has successfully grown its economy while reducing emissions by 44% since 1990. Colombia and Mali top the GCHA's Clean Air NDC rankings, with Colombia acknowledging the importance of protecting respiratory health and taking progressive action on bike-sharing. Despite being the biggest polluters, China and the US have committed to increasing renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, many vulnerable nations are disappointed by the lack of financial support from rich countries, and the World Bank Group has been criticized for not adequately prioritizing pollution action.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries with the most efforts to cut pollution | Colombia, Canada, China, Albania, Moldova, Mali, UK, Norway, France, New Zealand, Japan |
| International cooperation | 195 states signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 |
| Paris Agreement goal | Limit the increase in global warming to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C |
| Paris Agreement aim | Achieve net-zero emissions |
| National-level monitoring | Very few countries actively monitor their pollution levels |
| World Bank Group support | Pollution-relevant projects made up 9% of the portfolio as of March 31, 2017 |
| World Bank Group financing | $43 billion committed for 534 pollution interventions in over 100 countries |
| Focus areas | Water supply, wastewater, waste treatment, outdoor and indoor air pollution |
| Annual deaths from pollution | 9 million |
| Economic impact of pollution | 4-5% of a country's GDP |
| UK's success | 75% economic growth since 1990 with a 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions |
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What You'll Learn
The UK's progress on pollution and economic growth
The UK has made notable progress in addressing pollution while maintaining economic growth. Since 1990, the UK's economy has grown by around 75% while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 44%. This success can be attributed to various factors, including the UK's early action on climate change, the transition to a service-based economy, and the development of cleaner energy sources.
One critical factor in the UK's progress is its commitment to addressing climate change. The UK was among the 195 states that signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, legally committing to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This agreement played a pivotal role in reducing emissions and encouraged other countries to take similar actions.
The UK has also experienced a structural shift in its economy, moving from low-polluting agricultural industries to pollution-intensive manufacturing sectors and, more recently, to less carbon-intensive service sectors. This transition has contributed to a reduction in territorial-based emissions, as service-based industries generally consume less energy.
Additionally, the UK has actively promoted cleaner energy sources. Between 1990 and 2017, energy from renewable sources increased by 1,267%, while fossil fuel energy consumption decreased by 22%. This shift towards renewable energy sources has not only reduced pollution levels but also contributed to the country's economic growth.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the UK, as a net importer, still contributes to carbon emissions through international trade flows. Outsourcing manufacturing to countries with lower labour costs and less stringent pollution regulations can result in indirect emissions. Therefore, while the UK's progress in decoupling economic growth from pollution is commendable, continued efforts and global collaboration are necessary to address the complex challenges posed by pollution and climate change.
In summary, the UK has made significant strides in addressing pollution while maintaining economic growth. The combination of early climate action, structural economic changes, and the adoption of cleaner energy sources has positioned the UK as a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future. However, to truly tackle global pollution and climate challenges, a global approach and continued commitment to environmental sustainability are essential.
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Canada's fossil fuel investments
Canada is one of the G20 countries that is doing the most to cut pollution. However, the country still has fossil fuel subsidies in place, which incentivize pollution and disadvantage clean energy. Oil, gas, and coal are multi-billion-dollar industries, and fossil fuel companies receive billions in tax breaks and handouts that further increase their profits. In fact, revenues from oil and gas reached $45 billion last year, and capital investment from the industry is expected to reach about $40 billion. Despite measures announced last year to limit subsidies, the federal government is still providing billions of dollars in financial support for the fossil fuel industry.
Canada committed to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies 11 years ago. However, the country is still backing the fossil fuel industry with billions, as found by a report from CBC News. The report also found that Export Development Canada provided public financing to many companies, often at subsidized rates. The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that the carbon capture, utilization, and storage investment tax credit will cost $5.7 billion over five years. While the federal government views carbon capture as part of the solution for reducing emissions, critics argue that continued support for the fossil fuel industry works directly against climate action and the energy transition.
Canada has committed to ending subsidies and public financing for fossil fuels, and it is a first mover internationally in ending the financing of fossil fuels. However, to fully align financial incentives with climate policy, the country must close the gap in domestic public finance and eliminate loopholes in its existing policies. For example, investments in natural gas and expensive technologies such as CCUS only entrench carbon-intensive infrastructure.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that Canada's government support for the fossil fuel industry is "severely misaligned" with the goals of the Paris Agreement, to which Canada is a signatory. As a major global polluter, Canada must embed air quality considerations into its commitments.
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China's renewable energy development
China is the world's largest investor in renewable energy development and is set to produce more than half of the world's renewable energy by 2030. The country has been actively developing renewable energy sources since 2000, reducing its previous dependence on coal, which was causing multiple crises of air, soil, and water pollution. China's wind and solar power technologies are not yet sufficiently cost-effective, but the country has made rapid progress, with an average annual growth rate of 62.5% over the past decade.
China has made strategic investments in all aspects of renewable technologies, from solar and wind capacity to green hydrogen and geothermal projects. The country has also invested in research and development in battery storage and its supply chains, aiming to dominate the field and position itself as the global supplier of goods in a carbon-constrained world. China's ongoing commitment to solar energy development is revolutionizing its national energy framework and shaping the global market.
In 2022, China installed roughly as much solar photovoltaic capacity as the rest of the world combined, and in 2023, it doubled new solar installations and increased new wind capacity by 66%. China's 14th Five-Year Plan outlines ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 33% of its electricity generation to come from renewables by 2025. President Xi Jinping's announcement at the 2020 U.N. General Assembly that China would aim for carbon neutrality by 2060 further galvanized support for renewable investments across the country.
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Colombia's clean air goals
Colombia has been taking several steps to combat air pollution and achieve clean air goals. In 2012, the country partnered with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and took on a leadership role by joining the Steering Committee in 2020. Colombia has also been working with the Pan American Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to combat air pollution.
Colombia has identified the sectors driving air pollution, including agriculture, electricity generation, industry, and transport. To address these issues, Colombia released the "National Air Quality Strategy: 2019-2022" with a focus on reducing particulate matter and improving air quality in urban areas. The country also adopted the "Colombia Indicative Action Plan on Energy Efficiency" for 2017-2022, which aims to increase energy efficiency by targeting the transport and industry sectors.
Colombia is also taking steps to reduce emissions of highly potent short-lived climate pollutants like methane, black carbon, and HFCs. In 2018, the country published a technical document on soot-free public transport, highlighting the potential benefits of improving public transport for air quality and the climate. Colombia is also working on the first public river transportation system, which will be partly powered by solar energy.
Colombia's health sector is actively involved in implementing its nationally determined contribution (NDC) and incorporating health considerations into climate and clean air interventions. The country has also achieved strategic objectives on environmental health and implemented policies such as the "Colombian Policy for the Improvement of Air Quality" and the "Integrated Territorial Climate Change Management Plans (PTCCMP)".
Colombia's efforts to combat air pollution and achieve clean air goals are well-recognized, and the country topped the GCHA's Clean Air NDC rankings with a score of 12 out of 15 points.
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The World Bank Group's pollution projects
The World Bank Group has been supporting developing countries in reducing pollution, promoting clean development, and fostering a more circular economy. The Group provides technical assistance, financing, and knowledge products to promote environmental sustainability and cleaner production.
The World Bank Group's support for pollution action has been criticized for not keeping up with rising pollution levels. According to a Lancet report, 9 million people die each year from pollution-related causes, and pollution costs countries 4-5% of their GDP. Despite this, the Group's focus has largely shifted to climate change and other priorities.
The World Bank Group has committed significant funding to pollution-relevant projects, with about 9% of its total portfolio addressing pollution as of March 31, 2017. Over fiscal years 2004-2007, the Group committed $43 billion for 534 pollution-relevant interventions in over 100 countries. However, most of these projects focused on water supply, wastewater, and waste treatment facilities, with relatively fewer projects addressing outdoor and indoor air pollution, which are the primary causes of pollution-induced deaths.
The World Bank Group has supported various projects to address pollution, including:
- The Hebei Air Pollution Prevention and Control project in China, which reduced PM2.5 concentration by nearly 40% and led to a significant decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.
- Air quality management projects in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, contributing to a reduction in particulate matter pollution by over 70%.
- A $500 million loan to China to reduce emissions of specific air pollutants in key sectors, leading to new air quality regulations in 2012.
- The Montenegro Industrial Waste Management and Cleanup Project, which helps ensure hazardous waste disposal complies with legislation and strengthens the regulatory framework.
- A green growth project in Punjab, Pakistan, which includes waste management interventions and promotes investments in cleaner technologies to reduce air and water pollution.
- The Integrated Nutrient Pollution Control Project in Romania, which provides tools to improve livestock manure management and prevent contamination of soil and water supplies.
- The Pollution Management and Environmental Health Program (PMEH), which aims to develop robust air quality management plans and reduce pollution-related health risks.
- Projects in Lagos, Nigeria, to improve transportation efficiency and reduce the number of cars on the road.
- Efforts to address marine plastic pollution, with over $60 million committed to more than 100 initiatives globally, and projects worth over $2.5 billion in the pipeline.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, Colombia and Mali are at the top of the GCHA's Clean Air NDC rankings, scoring 12 out of 15 points. In the same year, China and the US committed to increasing renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other countries that are taking steps to cut pollution include Canada, Japan, and South Korea.
Colombia's NDCs acknowledge the importance of protecting respiratory health through air quality action. The country has identified the sectors driving air pollution, including agriculture, electricity generation, industry, and transport, and has plans for bike sharing.
China has made significant investments in renewable energy and electric cars, causing their carbon emissions growth rate to level off. However, they still receive a grade of "highly insufficient" from the Climate Action Tracker due to their continued reliance on coal.
Canada has implemented the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, encouraging provinces to set their own carbon taxes. Japan is considering revamping nuclear power plants or switching to renewable energy investments. South Korea has announced ambitious short-term plans for climate action, but their national policies do not currently align with these goals.
