Measuring Welfare Loss Caused by Air Pollution in Europe: A CGE Analysis

Joint Program Report
Measuring Welfare Loss Caused by Air Pollution in Europe: A CGE Analysis
Nam, K.M., N.E. Selin, J.M. Reilly and S. Paltsev (2009)
Joint Program Report Series, 20 pages

Report 178 [Download]

Abstract/Summary:

To evaluate the socio-economic impacts of air pollution, we develop an integrated approach based on computable general equilibrium (CGE). Applying our approach to Europe shows that even there, where air quality is relatively high compared with other parts of the world, health-related damages caused by air pollution are substantial. We estimate that in 2005, air pollution in Europe caused a consumption loss of around 220 billion Euro (year 2000 prices, around 3 percent of consumption level) and a social welfare loss of around 370 billion Euro, measured as the sum of lost consumption and leisure (around 2 percent of welfare level). In addition, we estimated that a set of 2020-targeting air quality improvement policy scenarios, which are proposed in the 2005 CAFE program, would bring 18 European countries as a whole a welfare gain of 37 to 49 billion Euro (year 2000 prices) in year 2020 alone.

Citation:

Nam, K.M., N.E. Selin, J.M. Reilly and S. Paltsev (2009): Measuring Welfare Loss Caused by Air Pollution in Europe: A CGE Analysis. Joint Program Report Series Report 178, 20 pages (http://globalchange.mit.edu/publication/14190)
  • Joint Program Report
Measuring Welfare Loss Caused by Air Pollution in Europe: A CGE Analysis

Nam, K.M., N.E. Selin, J.M. Reilly and S. Paltsev

Report 

178
20 pages
2009

Abstract/Summary: 

To evaluate the socio-economic impacts of air pollution, we develop an integrated approach based on computable general equilibrium (CGE). Applying our approach to Europe shows that even there, where air quality is relatively high compared with other parts of the world, health-related damages caused by air pollution are substantial. We estimate that in 2005, air pollution in Europe caused a consumption loss of around 220 billion Euro (year 2000 prices, around 3 percent of consumption level) and a social welfare loss of around 370 billion Euro, measured as the sum of lost consumption and leisure (around 2 percent of welfare level). In addition, we estimated that a set of 2020-targeting air quality improvement policy scenarios, which are proposed in the 2005 CAFE program, would bring 18 European countries as a whole a welfare gain of 37 to 49 billion Euro (year 2000 prices) in year 2020 alone.