Greta Jimenez
India is facing a severe air pollution crisis, with the country's 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, the most harmful pollutant. This has resulted in a heavy cost to the economy, with economic losses of US$36.8 billion in 2019, equivalent to 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP). The primary sources of pollution in India include industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, agricultural activities, and domestic fuel use. To address this issue, India has implemented various measures such as the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), city-level interventions, and initiatives to reduce indoor air pollution. However, the problem persists, and innovative strategies are needed to achieve sustainable solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution levels | India's air pollution levels are among the highest in the world, with 1.67 million deaths attributable to air pollution in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country. |
| Economic impact | The economic losses due to premature deaths and morbidity from air pollution in India in 2019 amounted to US$36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36% of India's GDP. |
| Health impact | Air pollution in India contributes to various diseases, including lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It also increases the risk of acute respiratory infections and impairs lung development. |
| Sources of air pollution | Industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, agricultural activities (crop residue burning), domestic fuel use, construction dust, and open burning of waste. |
| Initiatives to address air pollution | National Clean Air Program (NCAP), standardized tools for airshed management, city-specific action plans, adoption of electric vehicles, improved access to cleaner sources of fuel, education, and subsidies. |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce industrial emissions
India is the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and its air pollution levels are among the highest in the world. Industrial emissions from factories and manufacturing units are a significant contributor to this problem, releasing harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). To reduce industrial emissions and improve air quality, India can take the following steps:
Transition to cleaner energy sources
India has committed to transitioning to 100% electric vehicles (EVs), particularly two and three-wheelers, and has mandated that all new two-wheelers be electric. This will reduce vehicular emissions, which are a significant source of air pollution. Additionally, India should focus on replacing coal and natural gas with solar and wind energy in industrial processes to lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Improve industrial processes
India should promote the adoption of decarbonization technologies in energy-intensive industrial processes, such as the production of iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, cement, and chemicals. While these options may be more expensive, they are crucial for reducing emissions in hard-to-abate sectors. India can also improve industrial resource efficiency and implement measures to capture and store carbon emissions.
Implement policy changes
The Indian government should continue to develop and enforce policies that promote decarbonization and emissions reduction. This includes extending financial and policy support for green initiatives, such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and creating a domestic carbon market with an emissions intensity target. Additionally, India should standardize tools for air quality management and control strategies across the country to effectively address pollution at the sub-national level.
Educate and subsidize
Providing education and subsidies to households, especially in rural areas, can help reduce the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating. This will not only improve indoor air quality but also reduce household air pollution, which contributes to the overall pollution levels in India. The government has already taken steps in this direction by providing subsidized cylinders of liquified petroleum gas to women from low-income households.
Focus on reforestation and tree planting
India has set a target of creating a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 GtCO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. This initiative will not only help absorb carbon dioxide but also improve the environment and ecosystems, which have been negatively impacted by air pollution.
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Reduce vehicular emissions
India has the highest air pollution levels globally, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, the most harmful pollutant. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to India's poor air quality, accounting for about 14.2% of Delhi's total air pollution. To reduce vehicular emissions, India has implemented the Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES), aiming to reduce exhaust emissions. The BS-VI norms, in particular, have helped decrease tailpipe emissions significantly, with a 68% reduction in NOx levels and an 82% reduction in PM levels.
To further mitigate vehicular emissions, India can adopt the following strategies:
Low Emission Zones (LEZs)
Implementing LEZs, where only low or zero-emission vehicles are permitted, can effectively reduce emissions in densely populated regions. For example, London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has led to a 44% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels and a 30% decrease in traffic in central areas. Similarly, restricting pre-BS-VI vehicles in designated LEZs in Indian cities could reduce PM 2.5 emissions by up to 91% within a year.
Improved Public Transport
Enhancing public transportation systems, such as bus services, is crucial for reducing pollution and congestion. Buses should be well-integrated with other transport modes, creating a comprehensive and efficient transport network. Additionally, promoting sustainable modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, can complement these improvements.
Transition to Cleaner Technologies
India should encourage the use of cleaner vehicles by transitioning to cleaner technologies, scrapping older polluting vehicles, and building a robust electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The adoption of BS-VI emission standards for new vehicles is a positive step in this direction. However, it is essential to ensure that vehicles remain low-emitting when driven in real-world conditions, improving emissions measurement procedures in laboratories and on roads.
Education and Awareness
Educating the public about the impacts of vehicular emissions and promoting sustainable transport choices can help reduce vehicle emissions. Raising awareness about the health and environmental consequences of air pollution can empower individuals to make informed decisions and support collective action.
Standardization and Data Improvement
Standardizing tools and control strategies across India is essential for effective air pollution management. This includes improving vehicle testing procedures to control real-world emissions, addressing variations in traffic density, land-use patterns, road infrastructure, and traffic management. By enhancing data collection and standardization, India can better understand the impact of different emission norms and make more informed decisions.
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Reduce agricultural activities
India's agricultural sector is a major contributor to the country's air pollution. Crop residue burning releases large amounts of toxic smoke into the air, causing a phenomenon known as crop burning pollution. This practice is extremely widespread, with millions of farmers burning crop residues every year. In addition to crop burning, agricultural activities also contribute to water pollution.
To reduce pollution from agricultural activities in India, several measures can be implemented:
Reducing Crop Burning
- Providing financial incentives: The Indian government has introduced measures such as the Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) program, where cash transfers are given to farmers on the condition that they do not burn crop residues. Studies have shown that providing partial upfront payments can be more effective in reducing burning practices.
- Promoting alternative methods: Farmers can be encouraged to adopt alternative methods to dispose of crop residues, such as composting or using residues as biofuel.
Improving Fertilizer Management
- Adopting nutrient management techniques: Farmers can improve their nutrient management practices by applying fertilizers and manure in the right amounts, at the right time of year, with suitable methods, and in the correct placement. This ensures that nitrogen and phosphorus are fully utilized by the growing plants, reducing their negative impact on air and water quality.
- Implementing conservation drainage practices: Strategies such as subsurface tile drainage can help manage water movement and reduce nutrient loads while maintaining adequate drainage for crop production.
- Ensuring year-round ground cover: Planting cover crops or perennial species prevents periods of bare ground, reducing soil erosion and nutrient loss into waterways.
- Planting field buffers: Establishing trees, shrubs, and grasses along the edges of fields, especially those bordering water bodies, can act as a natural buffer and help filter nutrients before they reach water bodies.
Reducing Agricultural Waste Pollution
- Complying with regulations: Farmers should adhere to statutory controls and environmental and waste management legislation when handling and disposing of agricultural waste. This includes the proper treatment of waste to reduce the risk of microbiological contamination of nearby water sources.
- Undertaking good housekeeping practices: Implementing waste minimization practices and carefully planning the storage and handling of livestock manures, agricultural fuel oil, fertilizers, and other potential pollutants can help prevent pollution at its source.
By implementing these measures, India can significantly reduce pollution associated with agricultural activities, improving air and water quality, and mitigating the negative environmental and health impacts of agricultural pollution.
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Reduce household air pollution
India's air pollution levels are alarmingly high, with about 1.67 million deaths attributed to air pollution in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country. Household air pollution (HAP) is a significant source of disease and premature death in India, with indoor pollution levels being up to 13 times higher than outdoors due to poor ventilation, heat, and humidity. To reduce household air pollution and its adverse impacts, the following measures can be implemented:
Transition to Cleaner Fuels
The Indian government has made efforts to provide cleaner sources of fuel, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), to households. In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a program to improve access to LPG for women from low-income households. This initiative aimed to reduce the use of solid fuels like wood, leaves, dung, and charcoal, which release toxic pollutants, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and benzene. However, the rising cost of LPG and the regressive subsidy distribution system have hindered the program's success, with many households still relying on solid fuels. To enhance the effectiveness of this initiative, the government should increase LPG subsidies for poor households, address delays in subsidy payments and cylinder deliveries, and improve education about the long-term impacts of indoor air pollution.
Promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
India is emphasizing the expansion of renewable energy sources, which can help reduce household air pollution by providing cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels. Promoting energy-efficient housing and appliances can also decrease energy consumption and associated emissions.
Improve Ventilation
As indoor pollution is often highly concentrated due to poor ventilation, heat, and humidity, improving ventilation in homes can help dilute and disperse pollutants, reducing their concentration and potential health impacts. This can be achieved through architectural design, the use of fans, or the installation of mechanical ventilation systems.
Public Education and Awareness
Educational campaigns can play a crucial role in raising awareness about the dangers of household air pollution, promoting the adoption of cleaner fuels and technologies, and providing information on ventilation and indoor air quality improvement techniques. Targeted education can also address caste-based disparities and ensure that marginalized communities have access to the knowledge and resources needed to reduce their exposure to household air pollution.
Comprehensive Air Quality Management
Addressing household air pollution requires a multi-sectoral approach, including standardized tools and data sets for effective air quality management across regions. India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) provides a framework for developing air quality management plans and policies across sectors. By setting time-bound goals and allocating dedicated funding, India can make significant progress in reducing household air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
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Improve air quality monitoring
India's air pollution problem is multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional, requiring an "airshed" approach. An airshed is a region that shares a common flow of air, which may become uniformly polluted and stagnant. Air quality within an airshed depends on pollution sources within it. India must, therefore, take action at the sub-national level for effective air pollution control strategies. Standardizing tools across India is important so that control strategies and relevant datasets can be linked.
To improve air quality monitoring, India has taken several steps:
National Clean Air Program (NCAP)
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) to reduce harmful particulate matter pollution by 20-30% by 2024 (compared to 2017 levels). The NCAP focuses on city actions, with city-specific action plans for all 102 cities that exceed national air quality safeguards. These actions include strengthening air monitoring networks, adopting electric vehicles, bolstering regulatory compliance, and better controlling industrial emissions.
City-level interventions
Several Indian cities are leading efforts to address the air pollution crisis. For example, the capital city of Delhi formed 52 cross-government teams to implement its Graded Response Action Plan during peak pollution season. The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Protection and Control Authority (EPCA) halted all construction from November 1-10, 2018, and ordered the closure of the polluting Badarpur Thermal Power Plant.
Raipur's success
Raipur achieved a reduction in local particulate matter pollution over two consecutive years. Continuous stack emission monitoring systems were installed in over 145 industries and 118 rolling mills, and legal restrictions on particulate matter emissions were enforced. Closure notices were issued to ten industries and 40 rolling mill units in 2017 for violating environmental standards.
Indoor air pollution
To reduce indoor air pollution, the Indian government has tried to make cleaner sources of fuel available, such as liquefied petroleum gas. For example, in 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a program to improve access to liquefied petroleum gas for women from low-income households. However, the rising cost of cooking gas has led to a return to solid fuels for many households.
Addressing crop burning
A major source of air pollution in some agricultural regions is seasonal fires caused by farmers burning crop residue. The Indian government has introduced multiple measures to reduce this, with limited efficacy. Providing partial upfront payments to farmers through Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) contracts has been found to be more effective at reducing burning than standard PES, where payments are only made if farmers don’t burn.
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Frequently asked questions
The sources of India's air pollution are varied and include indoor cook stoves, road traffic, industrial plants that burn fossil fuels, and the open burning of waste. Vehicular emissions have significantly increased in India from 128 million in 2010 to 326 million in 2020, contributing to air pollution through the release of fumes containing NOx, CO, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Industrial emissions from factories and manufacturing units also release harmful atmospheric pollutants. Furthermore, agricultural activities, particularly crop residue burning, release large amounts of toxic smoke, leading to a phenomenon known as crop burning pollution. Lastly, indoor pollution in households that use solid fuels for cooking and heating is also a significant contributor to overall pollution levels in India.
Air pollution has severe health consequences for the people of India. Exposure to pollutants has been linked to increased hospitalization and mortality due to acute exacerbations of heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, stroke, and diabetes. In 2019, air pollution was attributed to 1.67 million deaths in India, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country. The economic impact is also substantial, with healthcare expenses, lost productivity due to illness, and damage to infrastructure and crops resulting in significant costs. The total economic loss due to air pollution in 2019 was estimated at $36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP).
The Indian government has implemented several measures to tackle air pollution. At the national level, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) to reduce harmful particulate matter pollution. Under the NCAP, city-specific action plans will be developed for cities exceeding national air quality safeguards. Cities across India are also taking initiatives, such as strengthening air monitoring networks, adopting electric vehicles, improving regulatory compliance, and controlling industrial emissions. Additionally, the government has tried to address indoor air pollution by promoting cleaner sources of fuel, such as liquefied petroleum gas, particularly for women from low-income households.
Innovative strategies include the use of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), where cash transfers are provided to farmers on the condition that they refrain from burning crop residues. Providing partial upfront payments has been found to be more effective than standard PES in reducing crop burning. Additionally, the India–California Air Pollution Mitigation Program has issued recommendations for reducing transportation sector pollution, advocating for a systematic approach across the country.
