Health And Environment Alliance (HEAL) HEALTHY ENERGY

CLIMATE & ENERGYPOSITION PAPERHealth and Environment Alliance (HEAL)HEALTHY ENERGYPUBLISHED November 2016Which energy options for a healthy energy future?Access to affordable and clean energy is one ofthe UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),and is essential for human health and wellbeing. However, electricity generation also hasnegative impacts on human health.Specifically, fossil fuel based energy is causinga large burden of disease and mortalitythrough emissions of toxic air pollutants, suchas fine particles, acid gases and heavy metals.It also generates greenhouse gases. In fact,electricity production is one of the largestdrivers of climate change, the health effects ofwhich can already be observed - including inEurope. Climate change is a huge threat topublic health and it is paramount that we avoiddangerous rises in temperature levels bystaying well below a two degrees’ Celsiusincrease.To achieve this, fossil fuels must be phased outas fast as possible. The 2015 UNFCCC COP21Paris agreement states that mid-century is thevery latest date by which our economies mustbe decarbonised.Some proposed alternatives to the currentfossil fuel mix of coal, oil and gas come withserious, large-scale risks. In particular, nuclearenergy and hydraulic fracturing (shale gas)cannot be seen as acceptable options from ahealth perspective.While renewable energy sources, such as windand biomass, come with very low carbonemissions, these sources are also associatedwith certain health concerns.Every form of power generation hastrade-offs with smaller or largernegative effects on human health. It isimportant to prioritise those energyforms that come with the least impactson health, both in the long and the shortterm.HEAL’s GOALS Governments to phase-out fossil fuels in energy generation by 2050, andreplace them with 100 percent renewable and safe energy sources, as wellas to encourage energy savings. Countries to eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 in a manner thatprotects the poor and affected communities.

HOW DO WE GET THERE?The necessary major shift in power generation from fossil fuels to renewableenergy sources should be carried out under a public health perspective.Healthy energy decisions areunderpinned by Health ImpactAssessmentsComprehensive health impact assessments,which cover the full life-cycle associated healthrisks and which compare several energyoptions as well as technical solutions, shouldbe developed and applied for all energydecisions. This approach will minimise thehealth impacts from power generation in thefuture and lead to the choice of options thatprovide for the smallest cumulative negativehealth impacts in the long and the short term.Reducing energy demand throughenergy efficiency and energysavingsA healthy energy supply is needed to powerour societies and our health systems in asustainable way. Reducing our energy demandby improving energy efficiency and increasingenergy savings should be an overriding priority.Priority should be given to developing cleanenergy storage technologies and decentralisedenergy generation from renewable sourcesbefore the construction of new electricity gridlines. When planning the construction of newpower lines in the vicinity of residential areas,options to reduce exposure to electromagneticfields should be pursued on the basis of anassessment of their potential health risks.Reducing energy povertyincreasing energy accessandIn creating a healthy energy future, we shouldaim to simultaneously increase access toenergy, reduce environmental healthinequalities and address and reduce energypoverty.Ensuring a just transition forworkers in the energy sectorWorkers from fossil fuel industries shouldreceive support for retraining and reemployment in the phase-out period, whilesubsidies to the fossil fuel industry need to bewithdrawn as quickly as possible.Engaging and amplifying healthevidence and voicesMedical and health professionals can make animportant contribution to the transition of ourenergy systems. They can achieve this bysharing knowledge about how different formsof energy generation are linked to health aswell as the health risks from climate change, byinforming policy processes and thedevelopment of health impact assessments,and by engaging in education and outreachactivities with the general public.

“The dangerous impacts of coal on health from exposure to air pollution and the majorcontribution that burning coal and the release of greenhouse gases has in changing thelong-term climate almost certainly undermines the use of coal as a long-term fuel.”Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change, 2015Recommendations for a healthy energy future in EuropeCoal (lignite and hard coal)RecommendationsMajor public health risksReduce by half the capacity ofcoal power plants in Europe overthe course of the next ten years(by 2025) and ensure that all coalpower stations are closed by 2040at the latestAir pollution: Associated with additionalmortality, cardiovascular andpulmonary morbidity, cancerand adverse birth outcomes Major source of mercury:linked with impairedcognitive development inchildren Contamination from otherheavy metals, persistentorganic pollutants (POPs) andradioactive substancespossible from coal miningand ash disposal Mental health effectspossible due to coal miningimpacts on communitiesNo construction of new coalpower plantsPhase out coal in residentialheating by 2040No Carbon Capture and Storage(CCS) technology for coalOperate existing coal powerplants with the best availablepollution control equipmentClimate risks 40 percent of global CO2emissions from energy use;methane emissions during coalmining; short-lived climatepollutantsOilRecommendationsPhase-out oil in power generationand in residential heating by 2050Major public health risks Air pollution fromcombustion (see above)Extraction causing local airpollution and contaminationof water and soils withorganic pollutants:carcinogenicity, reprotoxicity,neurotoxicity, teratogenicityTransport associated withrisk of large-scalecontamination in case ofaccidentsClimate risks 30 percent of global CO2emissions from energy use;methane emissions during oilextraction; short-lived climatepollutants.

Natural gas (conventional)RecommendationsMajor public health risks Phase-out natural gas in powergeneration and in residentialheating by 2050 Air pollution fromcombustion (see above), butto a lesser degree than coalor oilPossible local contaminationof groundwater duringextractionClimate risksca. 20 percent of global CO2emissions from energy use;methane leakage at extractionsites and from pipelines; shortlived climate pollutantsShale gas and oil (fracking)Recommendations“No” to fracking and an end to allexploratory fracking in EuropeimmediatelyMajor public health risks Risk of contamination ofwater resources with organicpollutants and heavy metalsLocal air pollution due toincreased transportoperationsSeismic activity andcontamination fromradioactive substancespossible locallyClimate risksClimate impact can be similar toconventional fossil fuels (becauseof methane release)NuclearRecommendationsPhase-out nuclear power inEurope by 2050 at the latest,starting with those reactors thathave the highest risk of failureMajor public health risks No construction of new nuclearpower stationsSafest possible disposal of nuclearwaste Uranium mining associatedwith local radioactive andchemical contaminationSmall radioactive andchemical emissions to air andwater during power plantoperation with potentialeffects on local communitiesNuclear waste storageassociated with substantialrisk of groundwatercontamination and accidentsLow probability butpotentially large impactaccidents during power plantoperation: fatalities, cancer,mental health impactsClimate risksSmall greenhouse gas emissionsfrom infrastructure constructionand transport of fuel and waste

Use of waste as energyRecommendationsMajor public health risks Ban burning of waste inresidential furnacesOperate waste burning plantswith best available air filters Prioritise reduction of waste andrecyclingWaste burning in householdfurnaces is associated withharmful indoor air pollution,especially with carcinogenicsubstancesWaste burning facilities emitpersistent organic pollutantswhich accumulate in theenvironment: reprotoxic,neurotoxic, carcinogenicClimate risksEmissions during the productionof resources that are later burnedas waste; short-lived climatepollutantsSolarRecommendationsMajor public health risksSolar energy as a clean andrenewable source should receivehigh political and public support No emissions duringoperationEnvironmental health riskslinked to resources used inmanufacturing of solar cellsand equipment as well aswaste disposalClimate risksVery low life cycle emissions ofgreenhouse gasesWind (onshore and offshore)RecommendationsMajor public health risksCarry out health impactassessment during planning stageHealth risks need to be furtherassessed: No pollutant emissionsduring operation Flickering shadows can leadto annoyance Noise emissions from movingblades and gear noise canlead to sleep disturbance andstress related disorders inlocal residents No evidence for healthimpacts from low frequencynoise, but few studies onlong-term exposureInvolve health experts, localresidents in decision-making earlyin the planning stageClimate risksVery low life cycle emissions ofgreenhouse gasesHydroelectricRecommendationsMajor public health risksClimate risksCarry out health impactassessment during planning stage,together with public consultationprocessMental health impacts associatedwith landscape change andresettlementEmissions during the first phaseafter construction due to biomassdecomposition, otherwise lowemissions