India's Pollution Problem: Who's To Blame?

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world. In 2018, it was deemed the most polluted country, with air quality worse than its neighbour China. Of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 21 were in India in 2019. India's pollution problem has various causes, including industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. The effects of pollution are devastating, with air pollution causing more than 2 million deaths a year in India and reducing the average Indian's life expectancy by 5.3 years. While the Indian government has introduced initiatives to combat pollution, such as the National Clean Air Programme, the country continues to struggle with implementing effective measures to address the issue.

India's pollution compared to other countries

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world. According to research by IQ AirVisual and Greenpeace, 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India. The remaining eight cities are in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China. However, it is important to note that these statistics are based on average air quality per year, and there may be variations in the density of measuring stations and transparency of data across these countries.

The Northern Plains region of India, including the capital city of New Delhi, is the most polluted region in the country. New Delhi has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly ten times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The main sources of pollution in New Delhi include industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, construction dust, and the use of thermal power plants for electricity.

India's pollution problem has severe health consequences for its population. According to the World Health Organization, more than 140 million people in India breathe air that is ten times or more above the safe limit. Air pollution is estimated to cause the premature deaths of about 2 million Indians every year and contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The impact of poor air quality disproportionately affects poorer people, including those working in construction, factories, and unhygienic environments, as they are more vulnerable to health risks and the social and economic impacts of pollution.

In recent years, India has taken steps to address its pollution problem. In 2019, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally by 2024. The government has also advanced the date for stricter fuel and emission norms to 2020 and provided cleaner cooking fuel alternatives to millions of poor households. Additionally, the private sector has played a crucial role in combatting air pollution, with initiatives such as the Confederation of Indian Industry's CEO Forum for Clean Air, which brings together business leaders to drive cross-sector change.

While India's pollution levels are concerning, it is not the only country facing this issue. Other countries in Asia, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China, also struggle with poor air quality. Additionally, cities in Europe, Australia, and the US have experienced extreme pollution levels in the past, and they continue to work towards improving their air quality.

The impact of pollution on life expectancy

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 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. India's pollution problem has worsened over time, with a 67.7% increase in average annual particulate pollution from 1998 to 2021, further reducing average life expectancy by 2.3 years. Since 2013, India has been responsible for 59% of the increase in global pollution levels.

The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) shows that particulate matter (PM) pollution reduces life expectancy more than communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and behavioural killers such as cigarette smoking. In 2017, air pollution killed 1.24 million Indians, half of whom were under the age of 70, lowering the country's average life expectancy by 1.7 years. India's national clean air strategy aims to reduce emissions of particulate matter by 30% by 2024, recognizing the urgent need to address the issue.

The relationship between pollution exposure and life expectancy is complex. Countries with older populations tend to be more severely impacted by air pollution due to the higher prevalence of diseases worsened by pollution that primarily affect older individuals. While China has similar PM2.5 exposure levels to India, it experiences more air pollution-related deaths because its population is older. Lower-resourced areas also suffer the most severe impacts of air pollution.

The Indian government has implemented measures to combat pollution, such as advancing stricter fuel and emission norms and providing cleaner cooking gas cylinders to poor households. However, challenges remain, and the country is still struggling to introduce effective measures to reduce pollution levels and improve life expectancy for its citizens.

The sources of India's pollution

India is the world's second most polluted country. Its pollution levels are worse than those of neighbouring China, and its air quality is the worst in Asia. Of the world's 30 most polluted cities, 21 to 22 are in India. The capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally.

The main sources of India's pollution are:

• Industrial emissions: 51% of India's air pollution is caused by industrial pollution.
• Vehicles: Vehicle emissions account for 27% of India's air pollution. Some Indian taxis and auto-rickshaws run on adulterated fuel blends, which increase emissions of harmful pollutants.
• Crop burning: 17% of India's air pollution is caused by crop burning, which is a cheaper alternative to mechanical tilling.
• Thermal power plants: India's dependence on thermal power for electricity is a significant contributor to air pollution.
• Waste burning: Waste burning, including the burning of wood and dung by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating, is a major source of pollution.
• Construction: Construction dust and debris contribute to India's air pollution.
• Tyre pyrolysis plants: The unsanctioned tyre pyrolysis plants, which recycle rubber tyres, contribute to severe air pollution and health problems.

To combat pollution, India has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally by 2024. The Indian government has also provided cooking gas cylinders to millions of poor households to reduce the use of highly polluting biomass cooking fuels.

Government initiatives to reduce pollution

India is the world's second most polluted country, with 100% of its population exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most dangerous type of air pollutant. India has been taking steps to combat pollution, and in 2019, it declared a "war against pollution" by launching its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). This programme aims to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally relative to 2017 levels by 2024. It focuses on 102 cities that are not meeting India's national annual PM5 standard, termed "non-attainment cities".

The Modi government is also making an ambitious push to expand renewable energy capacity, including solar power, to help meet the rapidly growing power demand. Under this initiative, the government has provided cooking gas cylinders to over 50 million poor households to reduce the use of highly polluting biomass cooking fuels. However, high gas refill prices mean that biomass burning remains a major pollution source.

Other government initiatives to reduce pollution in India include:

• The use of bio-decomposers to combat stubble burning, a significant contributor to winter pollution.
• Installation of "smog towers", 20-meter-tall air purifiers, in New Delhi.
• Implementation of anti-smog guns that spray water droplets to curb air pollution.
• The Building Healthy Cities Project, a community-led study funded by USAID on air quality in Indore, India, where local volunteers were trained to be clean air guides, educate the community, and organize and support advocacy efforts.
• The India Lighthouse initiative, which brings together experts from India and around the world to develop India-specific practices using state-of-the-art tools to address the air pollution problem more effectively.
• The World Bank has been aiding India in Air Quality Management through a phased strategy under its Country Partnership Framework. This strategy focuses on enhancing knowledge, building capacity, involving stakeholders, transferring expertise in airshed management tools, facilitating analysis for policy adjustments, and mobilizing finance for more effective government programs.

The role of the private sector in reducing pollution

India is the world's most polluted country, with dangerous levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air. This pollution has severe consequences for the health of its citizens, reducing the average life expectancy by 5.3 years. The situation is particularly dire in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, where air pollution shortens lives by 11.9 years.

To address this issue, India has taken several measures, including launching its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally by 2024. The private sector has a crucial role to play in reducing pollution and mitigating its impacts in India and other developing countries.

Firstly, the private sector can contribute to reducing pollution by investing in solutions that address air pollution and simultaneously reduce their carbon footprint. Many sources of air pollution, such as transportation and building operations, overlap with contributors to climate change. By targeting health and climate co-benefits, companies can demonstrate greater impact and accelerate progress. Additionally, businesses can leverage advancements in sensor technologies and advanced analytics to collect detailed information on air pollution, enabling them to design and implement effective climate plans that align with their targets.

Secondly, the private sector can drive innovation and technological advancements to combat pollution. Tech innovators, for example, can develop new monitoring solutions, such as NYC's air pollution monitoring pilot. By engaging with the private sector, organizations like the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) can leverage the expertise and resources of businesses to address the triple planetary crisis, which includes pollution.

Furthermore, a well-functioning domestic capital market and increased participation by developed economies in private sector development can further reduce environmental degradation. The degree of private sector involvement in a developing economy's relative environmental performance is significant. The higher the private sector involvement, the lower the environmental degradation tends to be.

Overall, the private sector has a crucial role in reducing pollution, particularly in developing countries like India. By investing in pollution reduction strategies, leveraging technology, and engaging with global initiatives, businesses can make significant strides in mitigating pollution and its impacts on human health and the environment.

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