Increasing atmospheric emissions and health burdens embodied in international trade

Abstract

Atmospheric emissions are of great concern, as air pollution has been identified as one of the leading risk factors for premature death worldwide. Due to the strong relationship between emissions and economic activities, international trade has separated the regions where products are consumed from regions where emissions and associated health risks occur, thereby resulting in a globalization of atmospheric emissions and health burdens. Previous studies have demonstrated the transfer of global atmospheric emissions based on the combination of emission inventory and environmental economic method, yet the trend of this transferring effect has not been fully explored. This study summarizes the long-term trends in the impacts of international trade on atmospheric emissions and health impacts. About 20–33% of global CO₂ and 30% of PM_2.5 emissions were associated with international trade and mainly embodied in exports from developing regions and imports to developed regions. Furthermore, with the rise of South-South trade, a displacement of atmospheric emissions toward emerging regions has expanded in recent decades. Moreover, the PM_2.5-related health impacts embodied in trade increased by 32% from 2007 to 2017. Accordingly, it is critical to determine the impact of international trade on atmospheric emissions and associated health burdens to subsequently assist aerosol pollution mitigation policies through global cooperation.