Synergies of reducing greenhouse gases and atmospheric nitrogen pollutants in China

Xu, X., Zhang, X. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1961-3339, Zhang, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2487-8574, Winiwarter, W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7131-1496, Xu, J., Zhang, L., Wang, C., & Gu, B. (2026). Synergies of reducing greenhouse gases and atmospheric nitrogen pollutants in China. The Innovation e101433. 10.1016/j.xinn.2026.101433. (In Press)

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Abstract

Climate change and environmental degradation driven by greenhouse gases (GHGs) and reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions are intensifying globally. As a major emitter of both, China faces double pressures of GHGs and Nr mitigation to achieve carbon neutrality and sustainability. Here, we employ a multi-model framework to quantify the potential and synergies of reducing GHG (CO2, CH4, and N2O) and atmospheric Nr pollutants (NOx and NH3). Our results indicate that, by 2050, a strong co-control solution could reduce China’s GHG emissions by 88% (80%–101%) and atmospheric Nr pollutants by 67% (50%–80%), delivering societal benefits of US$959 (US$499–US$1,419) billion, five times the implementation costs. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector will emerge as a key contributor to mitigation efforts, particularly after 2030, with its integrated abatement potential surpassing that of industry while offering superior cost-effectiveness. These findings underscore the critical need to dynamically shift mitigation priorities post-carbon peak to boost zero carbon and clean air in China.

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