Air Pollution May Cost Southeast Asia $600 Billion by 2050
CCEH Research warns pollution-related deaths could rise despite cleaner air
Our recent CCEH-led study, published in Environment International and featured in Fortune magazine, reveals that Southeast Asia (SEA) could face up to US $600 billion in economic losses from air-pollution-related deaths by 2050, even as regional pollution levels decline.
The research estimates losses of US $447 billion under a low-emission scenario and US $591 billion under a high-emission scenario. While average air quality may improve overall, pollution-related mortality is projected to rise in SEA.
Prof. Steve Yim explains that this contrast stems from unequal impact on climate-vulnerable regions, such as southern Thailand and the southern islands of Indonesia, which can lead to intensified health risks.
This study emphasized the urgent need for integrated climate and air-quality strategies to safeguard both public health and economic stability across Southeast Asia.
