Phasing out coal-fired electric power generation: implications for public health: a case study in Canada

Overview

Canadian federal and provincial governments have effectively implemented policies to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the combustion of fossil fuel for electric power generation (EPG), particularly through the policy of eliminating conventional coal-fired EPG units in Canada by 2030. Such policies have the additional benefit of greatly reducing air pollution emissions from this sector, resulting in billions of dollars of population health benefits, which can help to offset the costs of climate change mitigation.

Phasing out coal-fired electric power generation - implications for public health highlights a Canadian success story: the country’s policy to eliminate conventional coal-fired power generation by 2030. This initiative will not only reduce air pollution but also yield billions of dollars in public health benefits, helping to offset the costs of climate change mitigation.

This document is part of the WHO Air Quality, Energy, and Health Science and Policy Summaries (SPS). These summaries provide concise overviews of current knowledge and evidence on air quality, energy access, climate change, and health. They aim to support decision-makers by presenting key insights from scientific research.

The SPS are developed through a multistakeholder consultation process that includes experts from WHO Advisory Groups – i.e., the Scientific Advisory Group on Air Pollution and Health (SAG), and the Global Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG) – as well as specialists from WHO Collaborating Centres, UN agencies as well as other experts from academia and civil society.

All Science and Policy Summaries can be accessed here