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Assessing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Health Co-Benefits: A Structured Review of Lifestyle-Related Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

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  • Vivian G. M. Quam

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
    College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Joacim Rocklöv

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Mikkel B. M. Quam

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Rebekah A. I. Lucas

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
    School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

Abstract

This is the first structured review to identify and summarize research on lifestyle choices that improve health and have the greatest potential to mitigate climate change. Two literature searches were conducted on: (1) active transport health co-benefits, and (2) dietary health co-benefits. Articles needed to quantify both greenhouse gas emissions and health or nutrition outcomes resulting from active transport or diet changes. A data extraction tool (PRISMA) was created for article selection and evaluation. A rubric was devised to assess the biases, limitations and uncertainties of included articles. For active transport 790 articles were retrieved, nine meeting the inclusion criteria. For diet 2524 articles were retrieved, 23 meeting the inclusion criteria. A total of 31 articles were reviewed and assessed using the rubric, as one article met the inclusion criteria for both active transport and diet co-benefits. Methods used to estimate the effect of diet or active transport modification vary greatly precluding meta-analysis. The scale of impact on health and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) outcomes depends predominately on the aggressiveness of the diet or active transport scenario modelled, versus the modelling technique. Effective mitigation policies, infrastructure that supports active transport and low GHGE food delivery, plus community engagement are integral in achieving optimal health and GHGE outcomes. Variation in culture, nutritional and health status, plus geographic density will determine which mitigation scenario(s) best suit individual communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Vivian G. M. Quam & Joacim Rocklöv & Mikkel B. M. Quam & Rebekah A. I. Lucas, 2017. "Assessing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Health Co-Benefits: A Structured Review of Lifestyle-Related Climate Change Mitigation Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:5:p:468-:d:96957
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alina Herrmann & Rainer Sauerborn & Maria Nilsson, 2020. "The Role of Health in Households’ Balancing Act for Lifestyles Compatible with the Paris Agreement—Qualitative Results from Mannheim, Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-24, February.
    2. Tanya M. Horacek & Marlei Simon & Elif Dede Yildirim & Adrienne A. White & Karla P. Shelnutt & Kristin Riggsbee & Melissa D. Olfert & Jesse Stabile Morrell & Anne E. Mathews & Wenjun Zhou & Tandalayo , 2019. "Development and Validation of the Policies, Opportunities, Initiatives and Notable Topics (POINTS) Audit for Campuses and Worksites," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Stephenie C. Lemon & Heather A. Joseph & Samantha Williams & Claudia Brown & Semra Aytur & Katherine Catalano & Stacey Chacker & Karin V. Goins & Linda Rudolph & Sandra Whitehead & Sara Zimmerman & Pa, 2023. "Reimagining the Role of Health Departments and Their Partners in Addressing Climate Change: Revising the Building Resilience against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-12, July.
    4. Je-Liang Liou & Pei-Ing Wu, 2021. "Monetary Health Co-Benefits and GHG Emissions Reduction Benefits: Contribution from Private On-the-Road Transport," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-19, May.

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