Air Quality In India: Pollution Levels Declining?

India has long struggled with air pollution, with the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi, the capital, frequently exceeding 500, a level deemed hazardous to human health. The country's air pollution crisis has been attributed to various factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, crop burning, and construction. While some Indian cities have shown improvements in air quality, the problem persists, and experts question the government's commitment to combating it. Despite the dangers and mounting threats, air pollution has yet to become a significant political or electoral issue in India.

Stubble burning

The smoke from these fires, along with emissions from traffic and industry, contributes significantly to the air pollution in Delhi, the capital of India, and other nearby areas. In recent years, stubble burning has accounted for 30% to 40% of Delhi's pollution during the months of October and November. The harmful effects of this pollution are exacerbated by the meteorological conditions in the region, which cause the smoke to hang over the city. As a result, Delhi has consistently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality levels far exceeding the safe limits outlined by the World Health Organization.

The practice of stubble burning was made illegal in 2015, and the Indian government has implemented various measures to reduce particulate matter concentration and improve air quality. However, enforcement of these measures has proven challenging due to the large number of farmers involved in stubble burning and the limited resources available for monitoring and enforcement. Despite the efforts of the government, the practice of stubble burning persists, and air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to public health in India.

The impact of stubble burning on air quality and human health is severe. The smoke released during stubble burning contains various hazardous chemicals and particles, including ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These pollutants have been linked to a range of health issues, including asthma, heart disease, inflammation, and increased infection risk. According to global health authorities, air pollution has reduced the average life expectancy in India by 5.3 years, contributing to millions of deaths annually.

To address the issue of stubble burning and improve air quality, experts emphasize the need for a multi-sectoral approach. Avinash Chanchal, deputy programme director at Greenpeace South Asia, highlights the importance of targeting all sectors contributing to air pollution, including transportation, power plants, waste management, and construction. Sunil Dahiya, founder of the climate think tank Envirocatalysts, calls for stricter enforcement of regulations on big polluting industries, such as coal-fired power stations and steel plants.

Transport emissions

India's road transport sector is a significant contributor to the country's energy-related CO2 emissions and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Road transport currently accounts for 12% of India's energy-related CO2 emissions and 20-30% of urban air pollution. The demand for private mobility and the transport of goods is increasing, and energy use and CO2 emissions from road transport could double by 2050 if no effective measures are taken.

Two-wheelers, such as scooters, dominate India's vehicle fleet, but their energy needs and emissions are expected to start declining in the mid-2020s due to the shift towards electrification. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular, and India's EV market is small but growing. In 2021, EVs accounted for 1.8% of new vehicle sales, and this increased to more than 4% in 2022. The Indian government has implemented various policies and incentives to support the transition to electric vehicles, such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. These policies aim to reduce the cost of EVs, provide charging infrastructure, and encourage manufacturing. As a result, EV sales are projected to reach nearly 35% of total vehicle sales in 2030, and this share needs to increase to 50% to align with India's net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2070.

In addition to the shift towards electric vehicles, improving the fuel efficiency of conventional vehicles is crucial. India implemented the Corporate Average Fuel Consumption (CAFE) standards for passenger cars in 2017, and these standards were tightened by more than 10% in 2022. Similar fuel economy standards have been adopted for trucks, and improving their fuel efficiency will be pivotal in limiting future diesel demand and emissions growth.

The Indian government has also launched the Clean Air Programme, which aims to reduce particulate matter concentration by 40% by 2026. This programme includes strategies such as cracking down on coal-based power plants, setting up air monitoring systems, and banning the burning of biomass. Additionally, India's scrappage policy of 2021 aims to reduce air pollution by requiring older passenger cars and commercial vehicles to pass a "fitness test" to keep their registration.

While India has implemented various measures to reduce transport emissions, there is still a long way to go. Experts emphasize the need for ambitious policies and stronger political will to combat pollution effectively.

Coal-fired power plants

India's air pollution problem is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including transportation, heavy industry, and coal-fired power plants. Among these, coal-fired power plants have come under scrutiny for their contribution to air pollution and its adverse health impacts. Here is an overview of the situation regarding coal-fired power plants in India:

The Impact of Coal-Fired Power Plants

Health Consequences

The emissions from coal-fired power plants have severe health consequences for the population. The 2013 report estimated that the PM2.5 concentrations resulting from these emissions contributed to approximately 80,000 to 115,000 premature deaths in India. Additionally, the mortality impacts are expected to increase over time. A follow-up study in 2014 projected that the total premature deaths due to coal-fired power plant emissions could reach 186,500 to 229,500 annually by 2030. The number of asthma cases associated with these emissions is also predicted to rise to 42.7 million by 2030.

Regulatory Efforts and Challenges

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, India's government has taken some steps to address the pollution from coal-fired power plants. In 2015, new emission standards were ratified, including regulations for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury for the first time. However, the implementation of these standards has been slow, and as of 2024, fewer than 5% of coal-fired power plants in India operate with modern systems to clean up air pollutants from their chimneys. This lags significantly behind countries like China, where 95% of coal-fired power plants were fitted with clean-up technologies by 2013.

Potential Solutions

Researchers have emphasized the need for clean-up technologies in coal-fired power plants to mitigate their environmental and health impacts. Dr Asif Qureshi of the Indian Institute of Technology in Hyderabad conducted a study using a computer simulation of air pollution across India. The research found that controlling sulphur emissions was the most effective measure, and implementing clean-up technologies could have prevented up to 720,000 early deaths over a 10-year period. Additionally, Prof Maureen Cropper of the University of Maryland led a study that concluded that switching to renewable energy sources instead of building new coal-fired power plants could prevent at least 844,000 premature deaths.

Environmental Justice Concerns

The impact of coal-fired power plants on marginalized communities in India has also raised concerns about environmental justice. Studies have shown that ethnic and poor populations are more likely to be exposed to coal pollution. This exposure results from the proximity of coal-fired power plants to these communities and the lack of adequate protection from the negative externalities of industrial development.

Construction

The Indian capital's air is inherently dusty, and poor building standards and antiquated practices across thousands of worksites make construction and demolition the third-largest contributor of coarse pollutants. These have been strongly linked to heart disease.

The process of mixing concrete, for example, is estimated to contribute 10% of the coarse pollutants in Delhi's air. Less polluting methods exist but often cost more, and cheaper manual labour is often used instead. A 2015 study of 19 large construction sites in Delhi found that the air quality around all of them exceeded safe limits by at least three times, with workers bearing the brunt.

The production of bricks also contributes to air pollution. Studies suggest that India's brick industry could contribute nearly 10% of the country's emissions of black carbon, a major contributor to climate change. While brick production has been banned in Delhi, it continues to flourish in nearby towns, with kiln owners bribing officials and producing bricks secretly.

The construction sector in India contributes 23% of air pollution, 50% of climate change, 40% of water pollution, and 50% of landfill waste. However, there are ways to minimise the pollution caused by infrastructure development.

The construction of green buildings is a step towards sustainability, offering benefits for both the environment and people investing in real estate. Green Cement, for example, is a best alternative to conventional cement that reduces carbon dioxide emissions and maintains cement strength.

Other ways to minimise pollution from construction include:

• Minimising waste and increasing the efficiency of operations, choosing technologies that help reduce waste, and optimising supplies and materials.
• Proper segregation and filtration of construction products to prevent water pollution and unnecessary waste in landfills.
• Protecting ecological resources and completing projects within the timeline, using eco-friendly processes and minimising environmental impact.
• Exploring recycling options, such as the EPA's Industrial Recycling Program, which focuses on recycling construction and demolition debris.

Waste burning

India has a waste management problem. The country's landfills are overflowing with decaying waste and emitting toxic gases. In 2023, a fire at the Brahmapuram plant landfill in Kochi caused dangerous heat and methane emissions, and similar incidents have been reported across the country, from Mumbai to Chennai. These fires release harmful gases and toxins that seep into the ground and pollute water supplies, causing serious health issues for nearby residents, including respiratory problems, kidney failure, and even cancer.

The waste that ends up in these landfills is a mix of organic and inorganic materials. Organic waste, such as kitchen scraps and garden clippings, can be converted into manure or biogas. However, India's waste management system struggles to process this organic waste effectively, leading to a buildup of flammable methane gas. Inorganic waste, including plastic, paper, and electronic waste, also poses a significant problem when burned, releasing toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the air and water.

The Indian government has acknowledged the need to improve solid waste management. In 2019, they launched the Clean Air Programme, which aims to reduce air pollutants by 40% by 2026 through measures such as cracking down on coal-based power plants and banning the burning of biomass. Additionally, the government has recommended formalizing the recycling sector and increasing the number of compost plants. However, experts argue that stronger policies are needed to promote recycling and the conversion of biodegradable waste to biogas, or open waste burning will become India's largest source of air pollution by 2035.

The root of the problem lies in the lack of effective waste segregation at the source. Without proper segregation, landfills become dumping grounds for a mix of organic and inorganic waste, increasing the risk of fires and the release of toxic emissions. To address this issue, some have suggested incentivizing households to segregate waste at home and penalizing those who do not. This would reduce the burden on landfills and make waste management more decentralized and scientific.

While India has made strides in tackling indoor air pollution by phasing out kerosene lamps and promoting the use of biofuels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the growing waste management challenge poses a significant threat to air quality and public health.

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