These high pollution levels lead to relatively high costs to the society and the economy, in the forms of health burden from respiratory illnesses and premature 2 Policy Brief No.cceDA-008 deaths on one hand, resource misallocation, reduction in effective labor supply, and growth drag on the other hand. [...] With the general aim of realizing sustainable development, which requires a reconciliation between economic, environmental and social processes, mechanisms underlying economically-generated air pollution need to be accounted for in the broad strategy to combat climate change and its adverse impacts on the economy and the society. [...] Understanding individuals’ awareness of and attitude towards air pollution and its various economic and health consequences on one hand, and the extent to which air quality enter their preference and valuation scheme, on the other hand, have the potential to garner collective support to climate change policies. [...] More specifically: • 70% of the urban population are willing to contribute financially to any policy initiative aiming at combatting air pollution; • Individuals’ average willingness to pay amounts to CFA37,380 per year (or US$68), which falls in the broad scheme of values found elsewhere; • The gains in terms of 3-month increase in life expectancy as a result of improved air quality is estimated. [...] As such, climate change policies, in the context of hotter temperatures, urbanization and the quest for economic development, should: • Raise awareness of air pollution, or climate change issues in general, with a focus on groups such as less educated and poor individuals, and preferably during months with higher pollution levels (March and April); • Better involve the population in the design and.
- Pages
- 4
- Published in
- Kenya
