The Cost-Effectiveness of Air Pollution Information Provision Programs
Peer Reviewed
Date issued
July 2021
Subject
Randomized Controlled Trial;
Air Quality;
Behavioral Economics;
Wood-Stove
JEL code
Q52 - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs • Distributional Effects • Employment Effects;
Q53 - Air Pollution • Water Pollution • Noise • Hazardous Waste • Solid Waste • Recycling;
D83 - Search • Learning • Information and Knowledge • Communication • Belief • Unawareness
Country
Mexico;
Chile
Category
Technical Notes
Air pollution is one of the primary causes of premature death worldwide. This paper examines the cost-effectiveness of two different air quality information programs that were implemented as part of randomized control trials. In the case of the SMS air quality alerts in Mexico City, we find that the program was not cost-effective in the experimental sample, but it would likely be cost-effective if the program were extended to all of Mexico City. In the case of real-time feedback on wood stove emissions in Valdivia, we find that the program was cost-effective in both the experimental sample and at scale.
