Kiera Jefferson
India and China are two of the world's most populous nations, both seeking to move their large populations from poverty to wealth via industrialization. Environmental deterioration has long been the collateral damage of this process. While both countries struggle with deadly pollution, China has been more proactive in addressing the issue. India has overtaken China's air pollution levels in recent years, with the average particulate matter exposure higher for Indian citizens than Chinese people for the first time in the 21st century. This is due to China's strong measures to curb pollution, including addressing the four main sources of dangerous particle emissions: automotive emissions, coal heating, polluting industries, and the construction sector in rapidly changing urban areas. In contrast, India's pollution levels have continued to increase, with 22 of the world's 30 most polluted cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cities in the top 30 most polluted cities in the world | India: 22; China: 0 |
| Number of cities in the top 20 most polluted cities in the world | India: 13; China: 0 |
| Pollution-related deaths in 2015 | India: 2.5 million; China: 1.8 million |
| Air pollution-linked deaths in 2015 | India: 1.81 million; China: 1.58 million |
| Yearly average concentration of fine particles per cubic meter of air (WHO recommendation: 10 micrograms) | India: N/A; China (Beijing): 1000 micrograms (2013) |
| Yearly average concentration of fine particles per cubic meter of air (WHO recommendation: 10 micrograms) | India (New Delhi): 800 micrograms (2013) |
| Pollution sources | India: traffic, fossil fuel burning power plants, heavy industries, agricultural burning, fireworks; China: automotive emissions, coal heating, polluting industries, construction sector, agricultural burning |
| Pollution control initiatives | China: city-specific targets for air quality, network of air quality monitoring systems, environmental impact assessments, fines for violators, restrictions on vehicle ownership and usage; India: ban on sale of fireworks, National Action Plan |
| Governance approaches | China: centralized target-setting and top-down implementation; India: federal polity, similar to the US with division of power between central and state governments |
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What You'll Learn
- India's pollution crisis: a public health emergency
- China's pollution control initiatives: from denial to action
- India's ineffective policies: lack of political will and accountability
- China's centralized governance: top-down implementation and strict enforcement
- The economic impact: costs of inaction and benefits of green solutions
India's pollution crisis: a public health emergency
India's pollution crisis is a pressing issue that has severe implications for public health and the environment. With India topping the world in pollution-related deaths, accounting for 2.5 million of the total 9 million deaths attributed to pollution worldwide in 2015, the crisis demands urgent attention and effective solutions.
The crisis is particularly acute in cities like Delhi, where pollution levels surge to almost 1,000 on the PM 2.5 scale, which is off the scales of many pollution monitoring devices. PM 2.5 refers to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, small enough to be absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream. The effects of such pollution include irritation to the eyes and throat, exacerbation of asthma symptoms, coughing, and increased risk of respiratory diseases, heart attacks, and strokes.
Various factors contribute to India's pollution crisis. Pollution in urban areas is often a mix of traffic, fossil fuel-burning power plants, and heavy industries. Additionally, agricultural burning, such as stubble burning in states around Delhi, exacerbates the problem. The Indian government has taken some steps to address the issue, such as banning the sale of fireworks during Diwali to preserve air quality. However, overall, India's policies have been largely ineffective, and the country needs to strengthen its political will and accountability systems to combat the crisis effectively.
In contrast, China, which also struggled with severe pollution, has made significant strides in improving its air quality. After adopting a comprehensive National Action Plan in 2013, China implemented strict policies and enforcement measures. They targeted automotive emissions, coal heating, polluting industries, and the construction sector. As a result, air pollution in China declined by 42.3% between 2013 and 2021. China's success provides valuable lessons for India, demonstrating the importance of determined policies and tougher enforcement to tackle the public health emergency posed by pollution.
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China's pollution control initiatives: from denial to action
China's pollution control initiatives have evolved from a posture of denial to a declaration of war on air pollution. The country has implemented a range of measures to address the four main sources of dangerous particle emissions: automotive emissions, coal heating, polluting industries, and the construction sector.
In 2013, Beijing faced an "airpocalypse" episode, with levels of pollutants comparable to those in New Delhi. This event served as a turning point, as the Chinese government recognized the severity of the issue and the need for proactive and preventative measures. As a result, China has:
- Banned agricultural burning, addressing a significant contributor to air pollution.
- Targeted coal-fired heating systems, accelerating the shift towards natural gas imports.
- Requested reductions in steel, aluminum, and cement production to decrease emissions from polluting industries.
- Instituted restrictions on vehicle ownership and usage to curb automotive emissions.
- Required companies to conduct environmental impact assessments and imposed heavy fines on violators.
China has also addressed the issue of air pollution at the policy level, setting up city-specific targets for air quality improvement and establishing a vast network of air quality monitoring systems.
To support these initiatives, the World Bank has provided financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emissions control projects through the Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program. This program has successfully leveraged funding to increase the availability of green financing and support China's efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Despite these efforts, China's growing dependence on coal power remains a challenge, threatening its goal of peaking climate-warming emissions by 2030. Additionally, the Belt and Road Initiative has faced criticism for financing coal-fired power plants abroad. Nevertheless, China's pollution control initiatives demonstrate a commitment to addressing the environmental crisis resulting from rapid industrialization and protecting public health, economic growth, and government legitimacy.
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India's ineffective policies: lack of political will and accountability
India's pollution problem is well-documented, with the country topping the world in pollution-related deaths. Of the world's 30 most polluted cities, 22 are in India. Despite this, India has been criticized for its ineffective policies and a lack of political will to address the issue.
One of the main issues is the Indian government's reluctance to prioritize environmental protection over economic growth. While industrialization has been a key driver of India's development, it has also been a major contributor to the country's poor air quality. The government has often been slow to implement policies that could improve air quality, and there is a perception that economic growth takes precedence over environmental concerns. This is evident in the government's continued support for coal-fired power plants and heavy industries, which are major sources of pollution.
Another issue is the lack of comprehensive and coordinated strategies to tackle pollution at a national level. While some Indian cities have successfully implemented initiatives to reduce air pollution, such as introducing cleaner fuel standards and promoting public transportation, these efforts are often piecemeal and lack a cohesive national framework. The 1981 India Air Act, which does not provide an emergency mechanism in the event of a pollution peak or sanction the effect of deteriorating air quality on health, is a prime example of outdated and ineffective legislation.
Additionally, there is a lack of accountability and enforcement of existing regulations. For example, despite court rulings prohibiting slash-and-burn farming practices, these continue to be prevalent in states like Punjab. Similarly, while the Indian Supreme Court has taken proactive measures, such as banning the sale of fireworks during Diwali, these decisions are often met with resistance and lack proper enforcement mechanisms.
The Indian government has also been criticized for its reactive rather than proactive approach to pollution control. Unlike China, which has implemented drastic plans to tackle pollution, such as targeting coal-fired heating and reducing industrial production, India has often been slow to act until pollution levels reach crisis levels. This reactive approach leads to temporary solutions rather than long-term, sustainable change.
To effectively address its pollution problem, India needs to demonstrate a stronger political will and commitment to environmental protection. This includes updating and enforcing effective policies, prioritizing clean technologies and sustainable practices, and coordinating efforts across various government departments and stakeholders. By learning from the successful examples of other countries, such as China, and embracing innovative solutions, India can work towards creating a cleaner and healthier future for its citizens.
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China's centralized governance: top-down implementation and strict enforcement
China's rapid economic expansion, combined with relaxed environmental oversight, has caused a host of ecological problems. In response to public pressure, the Chinese government has implemented various measures to curb pollution and improve the environmental situation. China's centralized governance structure has allowed for the swift implementation and enforcement of environmental policies.
China's environmental policies have targeted the four main sources of dangerous particle emissions: automotive emissions, coal heating, polluting industries, and the construction sector in urban areas. The Chinese government has set up city-specific targets for air quality progress and a vast network of air quality monitoring systems. They have also required companies to complete environmental impact assessments and imposed heavy fines on those who violate the regulations. China has also restricted vehicle ownership and usage, despite automobiles being a major source of emissions.
China's "war on pollution" has been largely successful, with a significant reduction in PM2.5 levels in Beijing and other major cities. The central government has established environmental quality monitoring networks to address water pollution and report data directly to the central government. China has also banned agricultural burning and accelerated its natural gas imports, despite the human cost of reduced access to heating for some households.
However, China's top-down approach to environmental governance has faced criticism for its inefficiency and scientific flaws. While the central government encourages public participation in environmental issues, the decision-making process remains dominated by government and industry. Local officers have been caught disrupting pollution monitoring devices, and local governments have hampered enforcement efforts due to a focus on economic development.
Despite these challenges, China's centralized governance structure has enabled the rapid implementation and strict enforcement of environmental policies, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the country's ecological problems.
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The economic impact: costs of inaction and benefits of green solutions
India's aspiration to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024 is threatened by the high burden of death and disease due to air pollution and the associated economic impact from the loss of output. A 2019 study estimated that local air pollution led to an annual loss of over $36 billion to India's GDP. Several studies point to the devastating economic and social costs of climate-related damage in India due to inaction, which could total $35 trillion over the next 50 years, with particular impacts on the health and agriculture sectors. India's 2021-22 Economic Survey highlights that investments in green technology and resilient infrastructure can safeguard the economy from future climate-induced uncertainties. India's private sector has played a key role in reducing the cost of existing technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and emerging technologies for clean energy and transport solutions.
India has made several attempts to reduce household air pollution through various government programs, including the Unnat Chulha Abhiyan, which provides modified biomass cook stoves to low-income households, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana program, which provides liquefied petroleum gas to low-income households. While the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana program has been successful, additional efforts are needed to achieve consistent usage of liquefied petroleum gas for cooking. The full realization of the benefits of household air pollution reduction requires overcoming the limited abandonment of traditional fuels.
China, as the world's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, faces economic challenges due to environmental degradation, which endangers economic growth, public health, and government legitimacy. China's carbon-intensive industries have caused environmental challenges, including water scarcity and soil contamination, which threaten the health and livelihoods of its people. In response, China has implemented policies to curb emissions, such as signing the 2015 Paris Agreement and pledging to be carbon neutral by 2060. However, following through on these commitments won't be easy as the government struggles to maintain economic growth and ease public discontent.
China has simultaneously addressed the four main sources of dangerous particle emissions: automotive emissions, coal heating, polluting industries (including energy), and the construction sector. China is targeting coal-fired heating and accelerating its natural gas imports, but this has come at a human cost, as some households have lost access to heating, and provincial migrants have been expelled from Beijing. China has also requested reductions in steel, aluminum, and cement production during the winter of 2016-2017. The emergence of new green industrial sectors, such as photovoltaic solar modules, lithium batteries, and electric vehicles, offers the potential for new growth engines, but short-term economic pressures constantly tempt local governments to revert to more polluting growth models.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, India's pollution is worse than China's. Of the world's 30 most polluted cities, 22 are in India. China, on the other hand, has been proactive in addressing its pollution problem.
The primary cause of pollution in India is the way people live, such as throwing garbage everywhere. Other sources include traffic, fossil fuel-burning power plants, and heavy industries.
India has implemented some measures to tackle pollution, such as banning the sale of fireworks during Diwali and stopping stubble burning in the states around Delhi. However, overall, India's policies have been largely ineffective, and the government has been accused of not doing enough.
China has taken a comprehensive approach to tackling pollution, addressing the four main sources of dangerous particle emissions: automotive emissions, coal heating, polluting industries, and the construction sector. They have also set up city-specific targets for air quality progress and a vast network of air quality monitoring systems.
