Meghan Hodges
India and China have long struggled with air pollution, which has been a major source of worry since the Industrial Revolution. In 2018, India surpassed China as the most polluted country on Earth, with 140 million people breathing air 10 times or more over the WHO safe limit. The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. China, on the other hand, has made headlines for its poor air quality due to coal production and rapid economic growth, which has increased emissions of harmful pollutants. Both countries have taken steps to combat pollution, with India launching the National Clean Air Programme in 2019 and China announcing a war against pollution in 2014, which has shown progress in reducing pollution levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| China's pollution problem | Since the Industrial Revolution |
| China's polluted waterways | 22% of the country's cities' SO2 emissions exceeded Chinese standards |
| China's electronic waste | 2.3 million tons in 2011 |
| China's air pollution-related deaths | 1.24 million in 2017 |
| China's coal consumption | Dramatic increase |
| India's pollution problem | Since at least 1981 |
| India's polluted cities | 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world in 2019 |
| India's air pollution-related deaths | 1.24 million in 2017 |
| India's air quality monitoring | 308 operating stations in 115 cities/towns in 25 states and 4 Union Territories |
| India's air pollution reduction initiatives | The National Clean Air Programme |
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What You'll Learn
India's pollution crisis and its absence from climate ambitions
India is facing a severe pollution crisis, with New Delhi being named the capital with the worst air quality in the world. The country's pollution crisis is absent from its climate and environmental ambitions, and it is not a top priority in the upcoming national election. India's pollution is driven by fossil fuel dependency, deforestation, agricultural intensification, and waste mismanagement.
India's pollution crisis has severe health implications for its residents. A study published in The Lancet estimated that in 2017, air pollution killed 1.24 million Indians, half of whom were non-smokers, and the average age of lung cancer patients is decreasing. The health impacts of air pollution are wide-ranging, including an elevated risk of heart attacks, strokes, asthma, reduced foetal growth, stunted development of children's lungs, and cognitive impairment. The economic costs are also significant, with a loss of over US$36 billion to India's GDP in 2019 alone.
India has set ambitious goals to tackle climate change, committing to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% compared to 2005 levels. Additionally, India plans to achieve 50% of its total installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel energy sources and promote a citizen-centric programme called the LiFE Movement, which encourages a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. However, India has faced backlash for refusing to sign the COP26 pledge to stop deforestation and agreeing to cut methane gas emissions, citing concerns over the impact on local trade and the rural economy.
While India has made commitments to tackle climate change, its pollution crisis remains a significant challenge. The country's air quality continues to deteriorate, and it is now considered the most polluted country in the world, with 63 of the 100 most polluted cities in 2021. India's pollution crisis is a public health emergency that demands urgent attention and comprehensive action from the government and other stakeholders.
India's pollution crisis is a complex issue with deep-rooted causes, including the burning of agricultural stubble, traffic, fossil fuel-burning power plants, and heavy industries. While the government has introduced some measures to combat the problem, such as banning single-use plastics and developing smart cities, the impact of these initiatives remains to be seen. Additionally, India is a victim of environmental damage caused by global forces, with climate change intensifying monsoons, floods, and heatwaves, further exacerbating the pollution crisis.
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China's pollution and its clean air initiatives
China has been battling severe air pollution for many years, with the problem dating back to the Industrial Revolution. The country's rapid economic growth, industrial discharges, and immense population expansion have contributed significantly to this issue. The pollution has had adverse effects on human health, the environment, and the economy, leading to a strong response from the Chinese government.
In 2013, China launched a five-year national air quality action plan, marking the beginning of its "war against pollution." This campaign focused on reducing PM2.5, recognized as the most harmful type of air pollutant. China's efforts have been largely successful, with a University of Chicago study attributing the decline in global pollution levels solely to China's steep reductions in pollution. Since the start of its war against pollution, China has seen a 41% decline in pollution levels by 2022 compared to 2013.
To combat pollution, China has implemented various initiatives and policies. The country has invested over $100 billion in environmental programs, with its forestry expenditure per hectare exceeding that of the US and Europe. China has also focused on clean energy financing, leveraging funding through the Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program to support investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emissions control. The program has helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions and mainstream green finance at financial institutions like Huaxia Bank.
Additionally, China has taken steps to address specific types of pollution, such as "white pollution," which refers to the proliferation of white plastic bags, Styrofoam containers, and light-colored materials in the environment. The first bans on white pollution were imposed by the State Council in 1999. China has also banned the importation of electronic waste and is working to improve the disposal of domestic waste.
Despite these efforts, China's war against pollution is ongoing, and challenges remain. The country is still the world's leading annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury, and pollution levels continue to exceed the World Health Organization's guidelines. However, China's commitment to addressing this issue provides hope for further improvements in the future.
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India's pollution-related deaths
India's pollution crisis has been a significant concern for many years, with the country consistently ranking among the most polluted nations globally. The situation is particularly acute in northern India, where multiple cities, including New Delhi, have extremely poor air quality. The air pollution in these cities is caused by a combination of traffic, fossil fuel-burning power plants, heavy industries, and the burning of agricultural stubble by farmers.
The impact of India's poor air quality on its residents' health has been devastating, with pollution-related deaths numbering 1.67 million in 2019, according to a report by Boston College researchers. This figure represents the largest pollution-related death toll in any country in the world for that year and accounted for 17.8% of all deaths in India in 2019. The economic losses due to pollution-related deaths in 2019 were estimated at $36.8 billion.
Another study, published in The Lancet, estimated that air pollution killed 1.24 million Indians in 2017, with half of the victims being younger than 70 years old. This lowered the country's average life expectancy by 1.7 years. The Lancet study also highlighted the wide-ranging health impacts of air pollution, including an elevated risk of heart attacks, strokes, asthma, reduced foetal growth, stunted lung development in children, and cognitive impairment.
The situation has not improved in recent years, with a 2022 Lancet study finding that pollution caused more than 2.3 million premature deaths in India in 2019, with nearly 1.6 million of those deaths attributed to air pollution alone. This figure is even higher than the estimate of 2.18 million pollution-related deaths provided by another study for the same year. The 2022 Lancet study also noted that more than 90% of pollution-related deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, with India topping the list.
The Indian government has been criticised for its reluctance to acknowledge the severity of the pollution crisis and implement strong measures to tackle large polluters, as doing so could hurt economic growth and upset powerful industries. However, there is growing recognition of the problem, and some states, particularly in southern India, have implemented policies to reduce air pollution.
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China's pollution-related deaths
India and China have both struggled with air pollution blanketing their major cities. However, China has made significant progress in tackling the problem in recent years. In 2014, China's President Xi Jinping acknowledged that air pollution was Beijing's "most prominent problem", and the country subsequently implemented a range of measures to address the issue. These included restricting the number of cars on the road in major cities, reducing capacity in emissions-heavy industries, and banning new coal-fired power plants in some areas.
China's efforts appear to have had a positive impact, with air pollution levels in Beijing and other industrial towns dropping in recent years. According to the World Bank, China is also one of the few countries that have been rapidly increasing their forest cover, contributing to a reduction in air and water pollution.
Despite this progress, air pollution continues to have severe health impacts in China. According to the Chinese Ministry of Health, industrial pollution has made cancer the leading cause of death in the country. Ambient air pollution alone kills hundreds of thousands of citizens each year, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels far exceeding the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2012, more than 1 million people died from dirty air in China, according to the WHO, making it the deadliest country for outdoor air pollution at the time.
A 2007 World Bank report conducted with China's national environmental agency estimated that outdoor air pollution caused 350,000 to 400,000 premature deaths each year, while indoor pollution contributed to an additional 300,000 deaths. Poor water quality also leads to 60,000 premature deaths annually. Overall, up to 760,000 people die prematurely each year in China due to air and water pollution, according to the report.
The health impacts of air pollution in China are wide-ranging. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fine particulate matter can cause asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and painful breathing. It can also lead to premature death. Additionally, ozone pollution has been linked to increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases.
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India's pollution and its impact on business assets
India's air pollution problem has been a growing concern for several years. In 2018, India was declared the most polluted country globally, with 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world in 2019. The country's air pollution is caused by a range of factors, including industrial and vehicular emissions, construction, waste burning, and the use of thermal power for electricity. These issues have been exacerbated by India's rapid industrialization and urbanization, with over 40% of the country's population now living in cities.
The impact of this pollution on India's economy and business assets is significant. Air pollution costs Indian businesses around USD 95 billion every year, or about 3% of the country's GDP. This cost is incurred through reduced workforce productivity, staff absences, and premature deaths, with over a million Indians dying prematurely each year due to air pollution-related diseases. The issue of reduced productivity and economic activity caused by air pollution is not unique to India, with the World Bank estimating global losses of $6 trillion annually, or 5% of global GDP.
The Indian government has attempted to address the country's air pollution problem through various initiatives. In 2015, the government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, launched the National Air Quality Index. Four years later, in 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme, aiming to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024. The government has also introduced clean fuel standards and promoted the use of LPG as a domestic fuel instead of coal or fuelwood. Additionally, India has launched the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometer-long ecological corridor with the planting of 1.35 billion new native trees over a decade to combat pollution.
Despite these efforts, India's air pollution problem persists and continues to impact its economy and business assets. The country's poor air quality has also affected its ability to attract talent, as cities with severe air pollution are often viewed as less desirable places to work. Businesses in India have a unique opportunity to boost their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact and performance by prioritizing clean air measures. By tackling air pollution, businesses can contribute to sustainable growth and the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Overall, India's air pollution problem has had a significant impact on the country's business assets, economy, and public health. The Indian government and businesses must continue to prioritize addressing air pollution to mitigate these impacts and improve the country's overall sustainability and quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
India has been polluted for several decades. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed in 1981, but it failed to reduce pollution due to poor enforcement. In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme, targeting a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024.
China has been facing pollution issues since the Industrial Revolution. The country's rapid economic growth and population increase since the 1980s have exacerbated the problem. China has been taking steps to address pollution, and its fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) has been decreasing since its "war against pollution" announcement in 2014.
The main sources of pollution in India include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power dependence, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households.
Pollution in China has severe health consequences. Long-term exposure to pollutants increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases. According to a 2007 report, up to 760,000 people die prematurely each year in China due to air and water pollution.
