What Is There to Gain? A Systematic Review on Psychosocial Co-Benefits of Climate Policies

Background: Climate change poses major risks to psychosocial health, yet little is known about potential psychosocial co-benefits of climate policies. This systematic review examines (1) psychosocial co-benefits associated with climate policy measures and (2) moderating factors shaping these effects. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, k = 21 studies were identified and analyzed using a PICOS framework and narrative synthesis. Results: Climate policies, particularly air pollution control, environmental taxation, and nature-based urban interventions, were associated with improvements in subjective well-being, mental health, and social cohesion. Effects were mediated by environmental improvements and physical health gains, and varied by socioeconomic status, age, and contexts such as schools, rural vs. urban. Access and actual use of interventions emerged as relevant but understudied mechanisms. Some studies indicated trade-offs, including unequal distribution of benefits and unintended social effects. Conclusions: Overall, climate policies can generate psychosocial co-benefits, but evidence remains heterogeneous and methodologically limited. Future research should strengthen causal inference, standardize outcome measures, and examine long-term and distributional effects.