India's Pollution Problem: Can The Country Handle It?

India is the second most polluted country in the world, with 1.3 billion people living in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds World Health Organization guidelines. Air pollution in India is a silent killer, causing 1.67 million deaths in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country. The economic costs are also high, with India losing $36.8 billion in 2019 due to lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution. This amounts to 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP).

The Indian government has recognized the severity of this issue and has launched several initiatives to combat air pollution, including the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) in 2019, which aims to reduce particulate pollution by 30% by 2024. The government has also set aside about $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over the next five years for the 42 Indian cities with populations of over one million.

While India has made strides in addressing pollution, the country still faces challenges in enforcement, rapid urbanization, and socio-economic factors that contribute to the persistence of household and ambient air pollution.

The economic impact of pollution

India's pollution problem has a significant economic impact on the country. Air pollution alone was responsible for economic losses of $36.8 billion in 2019, which was 1.36% of India's GDP. This figure is the total loss from premature deaths and the cost of treating morbidity attributable to air pollution.

The economic loss as a proportion of the state GDP varied 3.2 times between the states, with the highest proportion in the low per-capita GDP states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Delhi had the highest per-capita economic loss due to air pollution, followed by Haryana.

The total health expenditure in India is 3.8% of GDP, while the economic loss due to lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution was 1.36% of GDP. This indicates that the total economic impact of air pollution is high.

In addition to the health costs, pollution can also reduce crop yields and impact biodiversity and ecosystems. A 2017 study by the Lancet found that pollution can bring down economic output by as much as 2% annually in less-developed countries.

The economic burden due to lost productivity will increase unless air pollution is tackled. If it is not addressed, it could undermine India's aspiration to be a $5 trillion economy by 2024.

The role of the government

India has the second most polluted air in the world, with 100% of its population exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. In 2019, air pollution in India caused 1.67 million deaths, accounting for 17.8% of the total deaths in the country. It also led to economic losses of US$36.8 billion, which was 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP).

The Government of India has acknowledged the problem of deteriorating air quality and is taking significant steps to address it. Here is an overview of the government's role in tackling pollution:

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

The Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, declaring a "war against pollution." The NCAP is a time-bound program with a focus on improving air quality across the country, specifically targeting 132 "non-attainment" cities that consistently fail to meet air pollution standards. It provides a framework for cities to develop air quality management plans, offering guidance on policies across various sectors. The initial goal was to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024 relative to 2017 levels. However, in 2022, the government revised the target, removing the national goal but increasing the city-level ambition. The new goal aims for a 40% reduction relative to 2017 levels for 131 non-attainment cities by 2025-2026.

Financial Commitment

Based on the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations, the Government of India has allocated about $1.7 billion to combat air pollution over the next five years. This funding is earmarked for 42 Indian cities with a population of over one million, provided they achieve a 15% reduction in air pollution levels annually. This performance-based fiscal transfer funding program for air quality management is a pioneering initiative worldwide.

Commission of Air Quality Management

Recognizing the need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration, India's Parliament approved a law in August 2021 to establish the Commission of Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and its adjoining areas. This commission will facilitate coordination and the implementation of effective strategies to address air pollution.

Emission Standards and Renewable Energy

The government has strengthened vehicular and industrial emission standards in recent years. Additionally, India is strongly emphasizing the expansion of renewable energy sources, the promotion of electric vehicles, and the distribution of LPG cooking fuel to millions of households. These measures aim to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and improve air quality.

Airshed Management

The World Bank is supporting India in adopting airshed management tools to address air pollution effectively. An airshed is a region that shares a common flow of air and can become uniformly polluted. India's air pollution challenge is multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional, requiring collaboration beyond city boundaries. Standardizing tools and data sets across India is crucial to implementing successful control strategies.

Data Accessibility

While India has air pollution data available, it is often challenging to access and not readily usable for analysis. Improving data accessibility and timeliness will empower Indian citizens with diverse skill sets to actively participate in addressing the country's air pollution crisis.

In summary, the Government of India is actively addressing the country's pollution problem through various initiatives and partnerships. The steps taken include implementing time-bound goals, allocating significant financial resources, establishing dedicated commissions, tightening emission standards, promoting renewable energy, and adopting airshed management approaches. These efforts demonstrate the government's commitment to tackling pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.

The impact on health

The impact of air pollution on health in India is severe, with 1.67 million deaths attributed to air pollution in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of the total deaths in the country. The main sources of air pollution in India are residential and commercial biomass burning, windblown mineral dust, coal burning for energy generation, industrial emissions, agricultural stubble burning, waste burning, construction activities, brick kilns, transport vehicles, and diesel generators.

The health impacts of air pollution in India include respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumothorax, asthma, allergies, hyperthermia, dehydration, and several cardiovascular issues such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

The economic impact of air pollution in India is also significant, with an estimated loss of $36.8 billion in 2019, or 1.36% of India's GDP. This includes the cost of lost output due to premature deaths and morbidity, as well as the health-care costs of treating diseases associated with air pollution.

The sources of pollution

India's pollution problem is caused by a combination of industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power usage for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households.

Vehicular Emissions

The transportation sector is a major contributor to air pollution in India, particularly in urban areas. The number of motorised vehicles in India increased from 0.3 million in 1951 to 159.5 million in 2012. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and non-methane volatile organic compounds are the primary pollutants from vehicle emissions, which also include methane, carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides, and total suspended particles.

Industrial Emissions

Over the last few decades, India has experienced large-scale industrialisation, which has degraded air quality in most urban cities. The small and medium-scale industries are not regulated as stringently as the major ones, and they use various energy sources, including biomass, plastic, and crude oil. The major pollutants from industrial emissions include suspended particulate matter, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide.

Construction Dust and Debris

Construction dust and debris are major contributors to particulate air pollution in India.

Thermal Power Usage

India's dependence on thermal power for electricity is a significant source of air pollution. Thermal power plants are the main sources of sulphur dioxide and total suspended particle emissions.

Waste Burning

The burning of waste, including plastic, produces toxic and carcinogenic emissions. India also has unsanctioned tyre pyrolysis plants, which contribute to severe air pollution and health problems.

Cooking and Heating Fuel

Low-income and rural households in India often rely on wood, dung, and biomass cakes for cooking and heating. These fuels are burnt in cookstoves, which are present in over 100 million households and used two to three times a day. The carbon-containing gases released from biomass fuels are much more reactive than cleaner fuels. Additionally, the use of adulterated fuel blends in taxis and auto-rickshaws worsens urban air pollution.

The solutions to pollution

India is the world's second most polluted country, with 1.3 billion people living in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline. Air pollution in India is a silent killer, causing more than 2 million deaths a year and contributing to a loss of $36.8 billion to the economy.

To tackle this issue, India has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024. The NCAP provides an overall framework for developing air quality management plans, with guidance on policies across a range of sectors. The Indian government has also set aside about $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over the next five years for the 42 Indian cities with a population of over a million.

• Improve air quality monitoring and management: India should invest in low-cost, real-time air quality monitoring stations across the country. This will help address the disparity among states and provide more accurate data for policy-making.
• Facilitate cross-sector collaboration: Air pollution in India is a multi-sectoral issue, with agriculture, industry, power plants, households, and transport all contributing significantly. Collaboration between different sectors and stakeholders is crucial for effective air pollution control.
• Promote clean energy and electric vehicles: India should continue to prioritize expanding renewable energy sources and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. This will help reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels and improve air quality.
• Address indoor air pollution: Indoor air pollution is a significant but often overlooked source of disease in India. The government should increase subsidies for liquified petroleum gas for low-income households and improve education about the long-term impacts of indoor air pollution.
• Incentivize the adoption of cleaner production practices: The government should provide incentives for small businesses that adopt cleaner production practices, such as those that reduce emissions and waste.
• Subsidize sustainable agricultural practices: Farmers who use organic fertilizers and manage their land sustainably should be subsidized to reduce the use of harmful chemicals and minimize pollution from agricultural runoff.
• Plant trees and restore landscapes: Community tree-planting programs can help absorb pollutants and improve air quality while also providing economic opportunities and restoring natural habitats.
• Improve data accessibility: India should make air quality data more accessible and timely. This will enable citizens, researchers, and policymakers to better understand the extent of the problem and develop effective solutions.
• Engage vulnerable communities: Women, children, indigenous populations, and the elderly are disproportionately affected by air pollution. It is crucial to include their representation in decision-making processes and develop targeted solutions to mitigate the impacts on these vulnerable communities.
• Strengthen emission standards: India should continue to strengthen vehicular and industrial emission standards to reduce pollution from vehicles and industries, which are major contributors to air pollution.

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