Introduction
Green energy saves lives—not just by reducing carbon emissions, but by cutting deadly air pollution and protecting public health. Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is more than climate action—it’s a life-saving health strategy. As the world pursues a Net Zero by 2050 pathway, deploying green technologies can significantly reduce air pollution, prevent chronic disease, and extend lives [1].
But what does this transition look like? And how many lives can be saved by deploying renewables broadly?
Cleaner Air, Lower Mortality
According to the IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap, one of the biggest health benefits of moving toward renewables is cleaner air. If the world follows the Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario, by 2030 there would be about 2 million fewer premature deaths globally caused by air pollution compared to current trajectories [1].
By reducing particulate matter (PM₂.₅, NO₂, SO₂ etc.), renewables lower risks of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Cleaner skies also reduce burdens on health systems, especially in high-pollution urban areas [3].
Jobs, Equity, and Socioeconomic Benefits
Transitioning to renewable energy isn’t just about health—it also creates jobs and supports social equity. The IRENA-ILO Renewable Energy and Jobs review shows that renewable energy employment surged to 16.2 million jobs globally in 2023, up from 13.7 million the year before [2][4]. These are good, often local jobs—manufacturing, installation, maintenance, operations—that bring income and stability.
Moreover, when communities shift to renewables, vulnerable populations benefit most: people in informal urban settlements, children, and elderly, who are disproportionately affected by air pollution. Green energy projects can align with development goals—like improving energy access, reducing household pollution, and promoting healthier built environments [2][5].
The Scale of the Transition Needed
To achieve these gains, the pace of renewable deployment must accelerate dramatically. Under the IEA’s NZE scenario, renewable power capacity needs to more than triple by 2030 compared to recent years [1]. Key technologies—solar PV, wind, energy storage, efficiency improvements—must scale up rapidly.
Also important: stopping new fossil fuel investments. The roadmap calls for no further investment in new unabated coal plants, and phasing out fossil fuel use where possible. This helps avoid the health risks associated with mining, transport emissions, and burning of fossil fuels [1][3].
Challenges & What Must Be Done
- Policy and regulatory push: Governments need strong incentives, carbon pricing, renewable mandates, and to phase out subsidies for fossil fuels [1].
- Investment in infrastructure: Grid modernization, energy storage, and transmission networks are essential to handle clean energy scaling [1].
- Focus on equity: Ensure that renewables deployment reaches marginalized urban areas, slums, rural zones, and households without access to clean power [2].
- Health-informed planning: Urban planning, transportation policies, and energy regulations should explicitly include health impact assessments [3].
A One Health Perspective on Green Energy Saves Lives
The One Health approach recognises that human health, environmental health, and ecosystems are intertwined. Green energy improves air and water quality, which benefits human and animal health alike. For example, reduced fossil fuel combustion cuts toxic emissions, lowers greenhouse gases, and preserves ecosystems that filter air and water [1][3].
Additionally, resilient and sustainable energy systems help communities better cope with climate disasters (e.g. heatwaves, wildfires) which themselves exacerbate air pollution and health risks. Investments in renewables can be paired with nature-based solutions and smarter built environments to multiply benefits [5].
Conclusion
Green energy saves lives—not just in the far-future climate scenarios, but in immediate reductions of air pollution, chronic disease, and premature deaths. As renewable energy scales up, as jobs are created, and as fossil fuels are phased out, cleaner skies will lead to healthier communities.
The pathway to Net Zero by 2050 is demanding but offers a huge payoff: lives saved, better health, and greater social equity. We can choose this future—and we must.
References
- International Energy Agency (IEA) (2021). Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector. Available at: https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050
- International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (n.d.). Energy and Jobs – Socio-economic Impact. Available at: https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Socio-economic-impact/Energy-and-Jobs
- Lelieveld, J., Klingmüller, K., Pozzer, A., Burnett, R.T., Haines, A. and Ramanathan, V. (2022). ‘Effects of fossil fuel and total anthropogenic emission removal on public health and climate’, The Lancet Planetary Health, 6(9), pp. e759–e771. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468266722001979
- International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and International Labour Organization (ILO) (2021). Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2021. Abu Dhabi: IRENA. Available at: https://www.apren.pt/contents/publicationsothers/irena-re-jobs-2021.pdf
- Axios (2022). Fossil fuels are killing us: Report details health and climate crisis. Available at: https://www.axios.com/2022/10/26/fossil-fuels-health-climate-crisis-report
