By Martin Banks - 15th September 2010
We would like to see these new health impact figures clinch the deal
Genor Jensen
A new report says member state governments could "radically improve" public health and save on health care budgets if EU climate policy were "substantially strengthened".
It claims to provide the first-ever estimates of the health savings for different member states should the EU increase its current 20 per cent target on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent.
The report's authors say its findings may represent only the "tip of the iceberg" of the real health benefits of mitigating climate change.
Eight member states would "do particularly well" from a higher target, it says.
Estimates for the year 2020 show that Germany could save up to €8.1bn per year, Poland, France and Italy would be the next highest beneficiaries, and Belgium, Spain and the UK would also benefit.
For the EU as a whole, the anticipated benefits could be as high as €30.5bn - equivalent to just under 0.2 per cent of EU GDP.
These savings would be on top of the up to €52bn health gains anticipated as a result of emission cuts to reach the EU's current 20 per cent target.
The report is published by the Health and Environment Alliance (Heal) and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH Europe).
Their analysis covers the costs of both death and ill-health, such as restricted activity due to heart and lung conditions, hospital costs, consultations, and medication.
They say improvements in public health occur because as greenhouse gas emissions fall so do other air pollutants.
These "side effects", or co-benefits, of climate change policy are an addition to the gains for health of avoiding the effects of climate change, such as heat waves, flooding or increases in infectious diseases.
Heal director Génon Jensen said, "This study provides conclusive evidence that cleaner energy and cleaner air, associated with an immediate move to 30 per cent domestic cuts in greenhouse gases by 2020, would go a long way to paying for itself in better health through Europe."
Publication of the report comes ahead of a meeting of EU environment ministers on 14 October. The ministers are expected to discuss the EU's position on climate change policy ahead of December’s UN climate change talks in Mexico.
Jensen added, "The findings of this report present the EU with a much needed 'shot in thearm' for the global climate talks next month. We would like to see these new health impact figures clinch the deal so that Europe moves immediately and unilaterally to a 30 per cent internal target prior to the Cancun meeting in December."
Meanwhile, a separate report published on Tuesday said an EU goal to increase energy efficiency by 2020 should become binding to help the EU save €78bn a year and cut its energy dependency.
It points out that while a 20 per cent cut to CO2 emissions and a 20 per cent increase in the use of renewable energy are mandatory, a 20 per cent increase in energy efficiency is only voluntary.
The study by the Brussels-based think-tank, European Climate Foundation, says that a binding target for energy efficiency would save the EU energy bill €78bn a year by 2020.
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