India's Pollution Problem: Who Cares?

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities in 2019. The country's air pollution is a serious environmental issue and public health emergency, causing 1.67 million deaths in 2019 and accounting for economic losses of US$36.8 billion. India's government has implemented initiatives to combat pollution, such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to improve air quality across the country, and collaborations with organizations like the Clean Air Fund. However, India's air pollution policies have been criticized for their ineffectiveness, and the country continues to struggle with toxic levels of air pollution.

India's air pollution policies and their ineffectiveness

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 1.4 billion people, its entire population, exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5. This is the most harmful pollutant, with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, about one-thirtieth the width of a human hair. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to deadly illnesses like lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. In 2019, 1.67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in India, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths. The economic losses due to premature deaths and morbidity from air pollution were estimated at US$36.8 billion in 2019, a significant cost to the country's economy.

To address this pressing issue, the Indian government has initiated several measures and policies to combat air pollution and improve air quality. One notable effort is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, which aims to reduce PM concentrations by 20-30% by 2024 through source apportionment studies in 132 "non-attainment" cities. The government has also set aside $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over five years for 42 Indian cities with million-plus populations, provided they reduce pollution levels by 15% annually. This performance-based funding program is a unique initiative.

However, despite these efforts, India continues to struggle with ineffective air pollution policies. The implementation of NCAP, for instance, has faced challenges, and the impact on air quality has been limited. The government has been criticised for not taking stronger actions to control pollution sources, such as shutting down highly polluting thermal power stations and enforcing stricter emission standards for industries and vehicles. Additionally, there is a lack of coordination across local and national jurisdictional boundaries, hindering the effectiveness of regional cooperation and joint strategies.

Furthermore, India's rapid economic growth and urbanisation drive CO2 emissions, which increased by over 55% in the last decade and are projected to rise further by 2040. The energy sector, including the traditional use of biomass for cooking and heating, is a significant contributor to indoor and outdoor air pollution. While India has made strides in renewable energy, such as the Delhi Metro's adoption of solar power, the pace of transition to cleaner energy sources needs to accelerate to address the urgency of the pollution crisis.

To effectively tackle air pollution, India must adopt comprehensive and innovative strategies. This includes stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, investment in clean technologies, sustainable urban planning, and public participation in pollution control efforts. Local solutions with community involvement are crucial, given India's diversity. Community-led air quality monitoring, green infrastructure initiatives, and awareness campaigns can empower citizens to advocate for policy changes and implement interventions that suit their specific needs. Additionally, addressing the interconnected issues of air pollution and climate change through integrated policy frameworks can bring important co-benefits.

India's clean air goals and the role of the government

India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with New Delhi being the most polluted capital city globally. Air pollution causes one in eight deaths in India, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country. The air pollution crisis poses severe health risks, including heart and lung diseases and cancer, and also results in significant economic losses, amounting to approximately 1.36% of India's GDP in 2019.

To address this issue, the Government of India has introduced the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), a comprehensive framework aimed at improving air quality across the country. The NCAP focuses on 132 cities that fail to meet air pollution standards, providing them with guidance and an overall framework for developing city-specific air quality management plans. The Indian government has also set aside approximately $1.7 billion to combat air pollution in 42 cities with million-plus populations, conditional on a 15% annual reduction in air pollution levels.

In addition to the NCAP, India is also implementing other initiatives to improve air quality. For example, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) includes measures such as dust mitigation at construction sites, effective waste management, and regular road cleaning. The Building Healthy Cities Project, funded by USAID, trained local volunteers in Indore, India, to become clean air guides, educating the community and supporting advocacy efforts. India is also embracing emerging technologies, such as atmospheric moisture extraction for water sustainability, and satellite technology for monitoring air quality and environmental changes.

The private sector and businesses also play a crucial role in combating air pollution. The Confederation of Indian Industry's CEO Forum for Clean Air brings together business leaders to catalyse cross-sector change. Additionally, the Clean Air Fund works with the government, businesses, and the public to help reach India's clean air goals, facilitating dialogue and information sharing among the air quality movement.

While India has made significant strides toward improving air quality, more needs to be done to address the country's severe pollution problem. Strong government controls, the adoption of new technologies, and collaboration between states and cities are essential to achieving India's clean air goals and ensuring a healthier future for its citizens.

The economic and health impacts of pollution

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 21 of the world's 30 cities with the worst air pollution. The capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) in New Delhi are nearly 10 times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines.

The economic impacts of pollution in India are significant. Lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution accounted for economic losses of up to US$36.8 billion in 2019, which was 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP). The adverse effects of air pollution on health have been linked to reduced productivity and decreased labour supply, as well as increased healthcare expenditures and lost welfare. Diseases attributable to air pollution, such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease, pose a substantial economic burden on the country.

The health impacts of pollution in India are also severe. In 2019, 1.67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country. Air pollution is a major cause of premature death and disease and is the largest environmental health threat globally. It disproportionately affects women, newborns, and young children. The high burden of death and disease due to air pollution endangers health, shortens lifespans, and adversely affects economic productivity, which could impede India's aspiration to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024.

To address these issues, India has implemented various initiatives and policies. The Government of India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has set time-bound goals for improving air quality across the country, with a focus on 132 cities that are not meeting air pollution standards. India is also transitioning to cleaner energy sources, such as the Delhi Metro's adoption of solar power, which reduces its dependence on coal and saves on energy costs. Additionally, the Clean Air Fund is working with the government, businesses, and the public to reach India's clean air goals, and the World Bank is introducing tools for airshed management to support regional air quality improvement.

The role of businesses and the private sector in tackling pollution

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, the most harmful pollutant. The country's rapid economic growth and development have been accompanied by a range of environmental challenges, particularly air pollution. The private sector has a crucial role to play in tackling this issue, alongside the government and the public.

The private sector can contribute to India's efforts to reduce air pollution through technical expertise, sector-specific knowledge, and innovative solutions. For example, companies like ExxonMobil have provided cleaner-burning natural gas for homes and industries, helping Delhi reduce emissions and improve air quality. Additionally, they have developed energy-efficient industrial lubricants to enhance industrial competitiveness, energy efficiency, and environmental viability.

Institutes like the IITs are fostering ventures and solutions to combat air pollution. For instance, Project Kaatru is developing a mobile IoT unit to gather and analyse spatial data on air quality, helping to identify variations by locality and time of day. The private sector is also facilitating big data analytics and low-cost sensor technologies to address the lack of monitoring and measurement infrastructure. The "Zephyr" air quality sensor, developed by Siemens Mobility and EarthSense, enables local authorities to make timely interventions based on reliable pollution data.

Businesses can play a significant role in reducing pollution by setting standards to monitor and regulate their environmental footprint and that of their suppliers. By investing in solutions to address air pollution, companies can also reduce their carbon footprint and demonstrate greater impact. For instance, the Clean Air Fund works with businesses and other stakeholders to empower healthcare professionals and advance the clean air movement. The India CEO Forum for Clean Air has gained momentum, with prominent Indian businesses like Wipro and Mahindra Group joining the Clean Air Alliance.

Furthermore, the private sector can address India's economic dependence on fossil fuels by promoting cleaner energy solutions. India is already making strides in this direction, with 60% of Delhi Metro's daytime energy needs being met by solar power, reducing coal dependence and saving millions in energy costs. The private sector can further accelerate this transition to cleaner energy sources, contributing to both pollution reduction and climate change mitigation.

The sources of pollution in India

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with New Delhi being the most polluted capital city globally. Air pollution causes one in eight deaths in India, accounting for 1.67 million deaths in 2019, which made up 17.8% of the total deaths in the country that year. The country's fast-growing economy is one of the challenges associated with this pollution and development.

Other sources of pollution in India include crop residue burning in agricultural fields, tyre pyrolysis plants, and waste burning. The government has attempted to address these issues with initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to improve air quality across the country, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna, which improves access to clean energy options for marginalized households. However, stronger controls and harder decisions, such as shutting down thermal stations and providing economic incentives for the use of clean fuels, may be necessary to combat the country's severe pollution problem.

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