The Effect of Low-Carbon Innovations on Reducing Environmental Threats to Health

In recent years there has been an extensive scientific and public debate on climate change and its direct as well as indirect effects on human health. According to the World Health Organization, climate change impacts health directly, indirectly, and it affects social systems (the effects of undernutrition, induced migration, conflicts). The COP21 conference has highlighted numerous initiatives taken by companies, researchers, associations or public institutions to develop innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote adaptation to climate change. So-called ?green innovation? policies (associated with low-carbon technologies) are seen as an adequate response to the climate change threat. However, there is still a dearth of empirical work addressing the potential positive impact of low-carbon innovations on health effects attributable to climate change. Therefore, this article investigates the causal effect of low-carbon innovation on the health condition of the population in a sample of developing countries. It provides evidence on the beneficial, yet limited, impact of green innovations on the elimination of environmental risk factors affecting health. JEL Codes: I10, I15, I18, O30, O38, Q54, Q55, Q58