An Imperial College London study notes substantial UK health gains to be made from net zero carbon actions. These are largely a consequence of reducing air pollution. Air pollution is globally the major cause of human ill-health and early death. Walking, cycling and e-biking would, however, also be encouraged by traffic-regulating measures. Exercise improves both physical and mental health. The Imperial study calculates that, by 2060, UK benefits from fewer deaths could be worth £26-31bn. Reducing illness, might add a further £20bn boost (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/21/rolling-back-on-climate-actions-may-spell-rise-in-preventable-illness-study). Limiting vehicle, household and factory emissions, would, of course, produce economically-important, health gains in all other countries. So, irrespective of limiting climate change, there are very good reasons for persisting with measures designed to achieve net zero. It's worth adding that excessive heat also produces ill-health and early death. This is amply illustrated by the a) heatwave-associated deaths (mainly of older folk) seen throughout Europe in recent times and b) damage to kidney and liver functions recorded in agricultural and construction workers toiling under hot conditions.
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