This study addresses the synergies of mitigation measures to control urban air pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in developing integrated "co-control" strategies for Mexico City. First, existing studies of emissions reduction measuressPROAIRE (the air quality plan for Mexico City) and separateGHGstudiessare used to construct a harmonized database of options. Second, linear programming (LP) is developed and applied as a decisionsupport tool to analyze least-cost strategies for meeting cocontrol targets for multiple pollutants. We estimate that implementing PROAIRE measures as planned will reduce 3.1% of the 2010 metropolitan CO2 emissions, in addition to substantial local air pollutant reductions. Applying the LP, PROAIRE emissions reductions can be met at a 20% lower cost, using only the PROAIRE measures, by adjusting investments toward the more cost-effective measures; lower net costs are possible by including cost-saving GHG mitigation measures, but with increased investment. When CO2 emission reduction targets are added to PROAIRE targets, the most cost-effective solutions use PROAIRE measures for the majority of local pollutant reductions, and GHG measures for additional CO2 control. Because of synergies, the integrated planning of urban-global cocontrol can be beneficial, but we estimate that for Mexico City these benefits are often small.

Co-control of Urban Air Pollutants and Greenhouse Gases in Mexico City [.pdf, 155.3Kb]