Environment

Launch event

The Arctic is a vital region that helps preserve the balance of the global climate. The Arctic environment is particularly sensitive to short-lived climate pollutants, due to their strong warming effect. Based on a suite of modelling tools, the OECD provides projections of different scenarios on policy action to reduce air pollution with a 2050 time horizon. Further policy action to improve air quality in these countries would result in health and environmental benefits, while also resulting in economic benefits since the health and the environmental impacts of air pollution generate considerable economic costs to society.

This launch event co-organised by the OECD and Iceland’s Arctic Council Chairmanship, presented the main insights of the OECD report: The Economic Benefits of Air Quality Improvements in Arctic Council Countries, which calls for ambitious policy action to reduce air pollution in Arctic Council countries, highlighting the environmental, health, and economic benefits from policy action.

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Agenda

• Introductory remarks from Mr. Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation and Chair of the Arctic Council; and
  Mr. Rodolfo Lacy, Director of the OECD Environmental Directorate
• Presentation of the report from Mr. Shardul Agrawala, Head of Division, Environment and Economy Integration Division, OECD Environment Directorate
• Discussion with representatives of the Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane
• Q&A session

Related OECD reports

• The Economic Consequences of Outdoor Air Pollution
• The Economic Consequences of Climate Change