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Just decarbonization? Environmental inequality, air quality, and the clean energy transition

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  • Bridget Diana
  • Michael Ash
  • James K Boyce

Abstract

Environmental inequalities are often large and consequential, exacerbating vertical inequalities of income and class and horizontal inequalities along lines of race and ethnicity. Climate policies can widen these inequalities as well as mitigate them, depending on their design. Decarbonization of the US electricity sector illustrates these possibilities. A strategy narrowly focused on carbon reduction alone is likely in some regions to increase disparities in exposure to localized co-pollutants emitted by fossil fuel combustion and, in some cases, to increase exposure in absolute terms. Strategies that in addition explicitly mandate improvements in air quality, both overall and specifically for frontline communities, can couple decarbonization with remediation of environmental inequalities and broad-based gains in public health.

Suggested Citation

  • Bridget Diana & Michael Ash & James K Boyce, 2023. "Just decarbonization? Environmental inequality, air quality, and the clean energy transition," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 32(2), pages 304-316.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:32:y:2023:i:2:p:304-316.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Boyce, James K. & Zwickl, Klara & Ash, Michael, 2016. "Measuring environmental inequality," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 114-123.
    2. Klein, Sharon J.W. & Whalley, Stephanie, 2015. "Comparing the sustainability of U.S. electricity options through multi-criteria decision analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 127-149.
    3. James K Boyce & Michael Ash, 2018. "Carbon pricing, co-pollutants, and climate policy: Evidence from California," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-3, July.
    4. Boyce, James K., 2018. "Carbon Pricing: Effectiveness and Equity," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 52-61.
    5. Nock, Destenie & Baker, Erin, 2019. "Holistic multi-criteria decision analysis evaluation of sustainable electric generation portfolios: New England case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 655-673.
    6. James Boyce & Manuel Pastor, 2013. "Clearing the air: incorporating air quality and environmental justice into climate policy," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(4), pages 801-814, October.
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