METHODOLOGY FOR ESTIMATING CO-BEFITS FROM MEASURES IN MEXICO

Abstract:

As with mega-cities across Asia, Mexico City has a substantial air pollution problem, contributed to by its 20 million inhabitants, 3.5 million vehicles, 35,000 industries, and closed air basin. The fossil fuel consumption, more than 40 million liters each day is also associated with substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The National Institute of Ecology of Mexico has been working, since 2002 on integrated planning to reduce emissions of both GHGs and local air pollutants. Numerous co-benefits studies have been carried out in Mexico through the Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) program with the following objectives:

• Estimate cost savings due to health improvements from criteria pollutants and GHG emissions reductions,
• Compare costs and benefits for specific policy measures,
• Build capacity in the Mexican government for integrated, quantitative environmental and economic assessment, and
• Provide results with relevance to emission control decision-making process

The co-benefits of several emission control measures have been evaluated, including taxi fleet renovation, metro expansion, reduction of leaks of liquefied petroleum gas from stoves and cogeneration have been evaluated. We estimate the emissions reductions of local and global air pollutants and the corresponding change in concentrations and exposure. Early studies used reduced-form air quality modeling techniques such as source apportionment for PM and ozone isopleths for O3. Using dose-response methodologies the associated public health improvements are estimated. Finally, the monetized health benefits are calculated.

The most recent co-benefit study is built on Mexico’s first National Emission Inventory for criteria pollutants. Baseline and control emission projections will be applied in the CAMx model to determine changes in ambient concentrations for use in a health-benefits model being developed for Mexico. The measures analyzed in this study are improved fuel efficiency of new light-duty vehicles and increased use of biofuels – two policy measures with relevance to Asia.