The economic benefits of international co-operation to improve air quality in Northeast
Asia
A focus on Japan, Korea and China
Air pollution is a global challenge to people’s health and has severe economic consequences.
The region of Northeast Asia is no exception. Across most regions in Japan, and in
the entire territories of Korea and China, annual average concentrations of fine particulate
matter are above the guideline levels indicated by the World Health Organisation,
indicating a risk to health. Policy action to tackle air pollution across the three
countries, could prevent air pollution related illnesses and deaths, without affecting
economic growth.
This report presents projections for the impact of air pollution polices until 2050,
with differing levels of regional coordination. Projections for current policies are
compared with unilateral policy action, whereby each of the three countries introduce
more stringent policies to tackle air pollution; alongside regionally coordinated
policy action by all three countries; and policy action on a global level. The report
presents the health, agricultural and economic impacts, and identifies considerable
benefits from further coordination on air pollution policies, such as with regional
and global policy action.
Available from July 29, 2022
In series:OECD Environment Working Papersview more titles