Sustainable policy—key considerations for air quality and climate change

Air quality and climate change are inexorably linked from their emission sources to their impacts on climate, human health, and ecosystems, including agriculture. However, in global environmental change and sustainability policies the link between air quality and climate change is often ignored. To facilitate including the link between air pollution and climate change in the policy process, three key considerations (1) mix of emissions, (2) lifetime, and (3) benefits and trade-offs should be taken into account. These three key considerations will help decision makers understand how proposed policies may impact the emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases and their resulting impacts on climate, human health, and ecosystems, thus reducing unintended consequences and likely resulting in additional economic and environmental benefits.