GAINS-ASIA: SYNERGIES AND TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AND GHG MITIGATION IN INDIA AND CHINA

Abstract:

The Greenhouse gas – Air pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model has been developed as a tool to identify emission control strategies that achieve given targets on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions at least costs. GAINS considers measures for the full range of precursor emissions that cause negative effects on human health via (indoor and outdoor) exposure to fine particles and ground-level ozone, damage to vegetation via excess deposition of acidifying and eutrophying compounds, as well as the six greenhouse gases considered in the Kyoto protocol. In addition, it also quantifies how specific mitigation measures have simultaneous impacts on different pollutants. Thereby, GAINS allows for a comprehensive and combined analysis of air pollution and climate change mitigation strategies, and reveals important synergies and trade-offs between these policy areas. GAINS has been recently implemented for India and China. Policy analyses with GAINS point out a number of concrete emission control measures that have positive effects on economic development and local air pollution while at the same time reducing emissions of global greenhouse gases. Measures which are particular important for Asian conditions include increases in energy efficiency, a phase-out of solid fuels in the domestic sector, transition to more sustainable energy systems and use of clean coal technologies.