The report also says that most of the benefits of climate mitigation
policies in the short term will come in the form of public health co-benefits from reduced
air pollution, suggesting that climate advocacy will be well served to move away from debates
over climate science and apocalyptic doomsaying, instead focusing on the multiple benefits in the near term of moving toward cleaner energy sources.
With concerns
over climate change and health impacts of
air pollution growing and due to cost reductions in renewable technology, similar developments are taking place in many parts of the world, making the German experience an interesting case study for energy
policy in other countries.