Integrated climate change and air pollution mitigation assessment for Togo

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Climate Change Mitigation
• Public Health

Background:

• Togo faces significant climate change vulnerability despite minimal contribution.
• High levels of air pollution in Togo exceed WHO guidelines, impacting public health.
• Household air pollution is prevalent due to reliance on solid biomass for cooking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess priority mitigation measures for reducing air pollutants, Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Togo.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of these measures in simultaneously improving air quality and reducing Togo's climate change contribution.
• To identify pathways for achieving climate mitigation targets while delivering local health benefits.

Main Methods:

• Quantified emissions from major source sectors in Togo and Grand Lomé (2010-2018).
• Developed a baseline projection for GHG emissions to 2030.
• Modeled the impact of ten priority mitigation measures on emissions.

Main Results:

• Togo's GHG emissions were ~21 million tonnes in 2018, projected to rise 42% by 2030 without mitigation.
• Implementing ten priority measures could reduce GHG emissions by ~20% by 2030.
• Significant reductions in SLCPs and air pollutants, including over 75% for black carbon, are achievable.

Conclusions:

• Togo can effectively reduce its climate impact through targeted mitigation strategies.
• These measures offer substantial co-benefits for local air quality and human health.
• The study provides a clear roadmap for Togo to meet climate goals and improve public well-being.