Bronte Wells
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, the most harmful pollutant. In 2019, India had 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities, and air pollution contributed to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians. However, there are signs that pollution is decreasing in India. For example, in 2019, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme, with a tentative national target of reducing PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024. This target was subsequently revised to 40% by 2026. Some cities, such as Solapur and Ahmedabad, have shown a decreasing trend in PM 10 levels over the last few years. Additionally, sulphur dioxide levels are decreasing in residential areas of cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Bhopal, due to the introduction of cleaner fuels and the increased use of Liquid Natural Gas. India is also taking a multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional approach to address air pollution, with initiatives such as the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometre-long ecological corridor to combat pollution.
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What You'll Learn
India's air pollution levels
The high levels of air pollution in India have severe health impacts on its population. In 2019, over 1.6 million deaths were attributed to poor air quality, with causes of death ranging from strokes, diabetes, lung cancer, and myocardial infarctions. Additionally, air pollution is linked to an increase in hospital visits, with a 20-25% increase in emergency room visits due to conditions associated with higher exposure to air pollution. The economic costs of air pollution are also significant, with an estimated loss of $36.8 billion in 2019, accounting for 1.36% of India's GDP.
Despite the severity of the issue, India has implemented various measures to address its air pollution levels. The government has introduced cleaner fuel standards, such as the increased use of LPG and CNG, and has set targets for the adoption of electric vehicles. In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Program, aiming to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024, later revised to 40% by 2026. Other initiatives include the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometer-long ecological corridor aimed at combating pollution.
While some cities in India, such as Solapur and Ahmedabad, have shown a decreasing trend in pollution levels, the country continues to face significant challenges in improving its air quality. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, inaugurated in the early '80s, has been unsuccessful due to poor enforcement. However, there is a growing awareness of the consequences of poor air quality, putting pressure on authorities to take more effective action.
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The economic impact of pollution
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. As a result, India faces significant economic impacts due to pollution, which affect its overall economic growth and development.
Firstly, pollution in India leads to substantial economic losses due to lost output and productivity. In 2019, lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution resulted in economic losses of up to $36.8 billion, representing 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP). This figure underscores the substantial cost to the economy from reduced productivity and increased healthcare expenditures associated with pollution-related health issues.
Secondly, pollution affects India's ability to attract foreign investment and businesses. With poor air quality and a high number of polluted cities, India becomes less attractive to foreign companies considering investment or expansion opportunities. This, in turn, can lead to a slowdown in economic growth and a loss of potential tax revenues for the government.
Thirdly, pollution has a negative impact on tourism and hospitality industries, as evident during city-wide strikes or protests. For example, during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, hotel occupancy rates declined, and property sale values dropped. Such events can deter tourists and businesses, leading to losses in revenue and potential future investments.
Lastly, the efforts to combat pollution also come at a cost. For instance, India's switch to cleaner emission technology in coal-fired thermal power plants is estimated to cost $12 billion. While this move will improve air quality, it demonstrates the financial burden the country must bear to implement effective pollution control measures.
Overall, India's pollution problem has far-reaching economic consequences, affecting lives, livelihoods, and the country's long-term economic growth prospects. Addressing pollution is, therefore, not just an environmental imperative but also an economic one, with the potential to unlock significant economic benefits if tackled effectively.
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The health impact of pollution
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world. In 2019, 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India. As a result, India's 1.4 billion people are exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant, which causes deadly illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. In 2019, 1.67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in India, accounting for 17.8% of the total deaths in the country. Furthermore, a study based on 2016 data found that at least 140 million people in India breathe air that is 10 times or more over the WHO safe limit.
The health impacts of pollution represent a heavy cost to India's economy. Lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution accounted for economic losses of US$28.8 billion and $8 billion, respectively, in 2019. This total loss of $36.8 billion was 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP). Air pollution is a major cause of premature death and disease and is the largest environmental health threat globally. It endangers health, shortens lifespans, and adversely affects economic productivity. In addition, air pollution disproportionately affects women, newborns, and young children.
In rural areas, much of the pollution stems from biomass burning for cooking and keeping warm. Some reports, including one by the World Health Organization, claim 300,000 to 400,000 people die of indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide poisoning in India because of biomass burning and the use of chulhas (cookstoves). The carbon-containing gases released from biomass fuels are many times more reactive than cleaner fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas.
To address air pollution, the Indian government has implemented programs like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna to improve access to clean energy options like LPG for marginalized sections. In 2019, India also launched the National Clean Air Programme with a tentative national target of a 20%-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, considering 2017 as the base year for comparison.
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India's clean air initiatives
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. In 2019, 1.67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in India, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths in the country. The economic losses due to premature deaths and morbidity caused by air pollution in the same year amounted to US$36.8 billion, which was 1.36% of India's GDP.
To address this issue, India has launched several initiatives to improve air quality and reduce pollution. Here are some of India's clean air initiatives:
- The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): The Indian government launched the NCAP in 2019 with the initial goal of reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20%-30% by 2024. The target was later revised to 40% by 2026. The NCAP provides a framework for cities to develop air quality management plans and offers guidance on policies across various sectors.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Many cities in India have implemented the GRAP, which includes measures such as dust mitigation at construction sites, effective waste management, and regular road cleaning.
- Building Healthy Cities Project: In Indore, India, a community-led study funded by USAID trained local volunteers as clean air guides. These guides educated the community, maintained and read air sensor data, and supported advocacy efforts.
- India Lighthouse Initiative: This initiative brings together experts from India and around the world to develop India-specific practices and tools to better understand, manage, and control air pollution.
- State Air Quality Action Plans: These plans aim to address air pollution at the state level, with a focus on the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), which spans seven union territories and states.
- The Great Green Wall of Aravalli: This initiative involves the creation of a 1,600-kilometre-long and 5-kilometre-wide green ecological corridor along the Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi. It includes the planting of 1.35 billion new native trees over 10 years to combat pollution.
- Partnership with the World Bank: The World Bank has been aiding India in Air Quality Management through a phased strategy, providing expertise in airshed management tools, and facilitating policy adjustments and finance for more effective government programs.
- Confederation of Indian Industry's CEO Forum for Clean Air: This national platform brings together business leaders to catalyse cross-sector change and encourage the private sector to find solutions to poor air quality.
- Clean Air Fund: This organisation works with the government, businesses, research organisations, and the public to help achieve India's clean air goals, supporting government efforts and catalysing innovation in air quality management.
- Remote Sensing Technology: India is utilising remote sensing technology to measure vehicle emissions in real-time, which has revealed that motor vehicles emit more pollutants in real-world conditions than in laboratory tests.
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The future of India's pollution levels
India's air pollution challenge is multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional, requiring an "airshed" approach that extends beyond cities to effectively combat the issue. Standardizing tools and data sets across India is crucial for successful control strategies. Despite some progress, air pollution remains pervasive, with India ranking 5th in the world for air pollution in 2019.
The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, thermal power plant operations, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating, particularly in rural areas. These sources result in high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which have severe health impacts. In 2019, air pollution caused approximately 1.67 million premature deaths in India, with economic losses totaling $36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36% of India's GDP.
To address this issue, India has implemented initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024. However, progress has been inconsistent, and the target was later revised to 40% by 2026. Other efforts include the introduction of electrically powered buses, upgrading engines to meet BS6 standards, and the "odd/even" rule for cars in New Delhi.
The private sector also plays a vital role in combating air pollution. The Confederation of Indian Industry's CEO Forum for Clean Air brings business leaders together to drive cross-sector change. Additionally, remote sensing technology allows for real-time vehicle emissions measurement.
Looking forward, India must continue to prioritize air pollution reduction to protect public health and promote sustainable development. Southern Indian states have demonstrated more significant progress in reducing air pollution, and their successful policies can be models for other states. With consistent efforts, India can improve its air quality, which will positively impact its economy and the well-being of its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5. While the country has made some progress in reducing pollution, it remains a persistent issue. In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme, with a tentative target of reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024. Some states, such as Uttar Pradesh, have shown remarkable progress, with urban PM2.5 levels reduced by 37.8% between 2017 and 2022. However, overall progress has been inconsistent, and the issue of air pollution continues to take a significant toll on the health and economy of the country.
The main sources of pollution in India vary between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, industrial emissions and vehicles are the primary contributors, accounting for 51% and 27% of air pollution, respectively. In rural areas, the burning of organic material, such as crop residue and biomass for cooking and heating, is a major source of pollution. Other sources include construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of dirty fuels.
Pollution has severe health consequences for the people of India. It is estimated to cause 1.67 million premature deaths per year, with a total of over 2 million deaths attributed to air pollution annually. Exposure to PM2.5 can lead to deadly illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Pollution also increases the future risk of heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and reduced IQ in children. The economic impact is significant, with losses of up to US$28.8 billion in 2019 due to premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution.
