Socioeconomic and energy transition disparities in air pollution-related mortality across Europe

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Source: Nature Medicine

Original: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04293-x...

Published: 2026-03-19

The study analyzed 653 regions in 31 European countries and found that socio-economic conditions and regional differences in the rate of adoption of renewable energy are associated with differences in mortality caused by air pollution.[1] Regions with higher levels of poverty show greater vulnerability to the effects of air pollution.[1] The transition to renewable energy reduces pollution-related mortality in two ways: by reducing pollutant levels and by reducing population vulnerability.[1] Increasing the share of renewables during this century is associated with pollution reductions of 15% for fine PM, 54% for coarse PM, and 20% for NO₂.[1] This represents a decrease in mortality of 12% for fine PM, 52% for coarse PM and 20% for NO₂.[1] Regions with a higher and faster transition to renewable energy experience lower vulnerability to the health risks of air pollution.[1]