Air Pollution Crisis: China And India's Battle

Air pollution is a pressing issue in China and India, causing millions of deaths and severely impacting the health and economies of both nations. In China, major contributors to air pollution include industry, transportation, coal power plants, and household solid fuel usage. Transboundary air pollution from China also affects neighbouring countries, such as South Korea. India, on the other hand, faces significant air pollution due to industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power usage, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households. The consequences of air pollution in these countries are dire, and understanding the causes is crucial for implementing effective solutions to combat this problem.

Industrial and vehicular emissions

In India, vehicular emissions are a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in cities with high traffic density like Mumbai. The correlation between PM2.5 and NO2 levels in the ambient air of Mumbai indicates the impact of vehicular emissions on air quality. However, India's policies on air pollution have been largely ineffective, and the country continues to struggle with high levels of air pollutants.

The rapid urbanisation and industrial growth in both China and India have led to severe air pollution, causing public health crises. Exposure to air pollutants, particularly fine particles like PM2.5, has been linked to adverse health effects, including respiratory infections, stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. The high levels of air pollution in these countries have resulted in significant losses in terms of human health and quality of life.

China has made more significant progress in improving air quality compared to India. Between 2013 and 2021, China lowered its average pollution levels by 42.3%, leading to potential gains in life expectancy for its citizens. However, pollution levels in China still exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and the country continues to face challenges in balancing air quality and industrial development.

To effectively tackle industrial and vehicular emissions, both China and India need to implement stringent measures and policies. This includes targeting specific industries for emission reduction, promoting technological advancements, and establishing strong political will and accountability systems to ensure the effective implementation of air pollution governance. By addressing these issues, both countries can improve air quality and mitigate the health impacts of air pollution on their populations.

Construction dust and debris

The impact of construction dust on air quality is evident in cities like Mumbai, where the approval of numerous real estate and infrastructure projects has led to a significant increase in construction-related air pollution. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the Andheri neighbourhood experienced the highest number of days with poor air quality during a two-month period, coinciding with the demolition of a bridge. The absence of dust control measures, such as green curtains around construction sites and adequate sprinkling of water on debris, further aggravates the issue.

In addition to the direct impact of construction dust, the slow average trip speed on Indian city roads, often less than 20 kilometres per hour, contributes to higher emissions of pollutants from vehicles. The slow speed causes vehicles to emit pollutants 4 to 8 times more than they would with less traffic congestion. This, in turn, leads to a build-up of local pollution, particularly under stagnant conditions.

To address the issue of construction dust and debris, the government of India has implemented various initiatives. For example, the National Clean Air Programme aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20%-30% by 2024. Additionally, the government has launched projects such as the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometre-long ecological corridor connecting Gujarat to Delhi, which involves planting 1.35 billion new native trees over a decade to combat pollution.

While China's air pollution policies have shown significant improvements in air quality, India's efforts have been less effective. However, both countries' approaches hold potential for effective air pollution governance with strong political will and clearly defined accountability systems. Rapid urbanization and industrial growth have severely impacted the air quality in both China and India, threatening the health of over one-third of the global population.

Thermal power for electricity

China and India have both experienced rapid urbanisation and industrial growth, which has led to severe air pollution and public health crises. Over one-third of the global population is affected by the poor air quality in these two countries.

In China, air pollution is caused by industry, transportation, coal power plants, and household solid fuel usage. China has implemented stringent emissions controls for the power sector, and has made significant improvements to its air quality. However, to further reduce air pollution, China should focus on mitigating SO2 emissions from the battery manufacturing process.

India's approach to air pollution governance reflects the division of power between central and state governments and relies on legislative and judiciary systems for accountability. India should focus on cleaning up pollution from the power sector, especially from coal-fired power plants, which lack desulfurization and denitrification.

Both countries should consider the impact of climate change and air pollution as they plan their future electricity infrastructure. The transition to electric vehicles could create new air pollution hotspots if the emissions from battery manufacturing are not addressed.

Waste burning

In India, open waste burning is a significant issue, particularly in northwest India during October and November each year. Paddy-residue burning during this period is associated with poor air quality in the region. Residential fuel usage, including the use of cow dung as cooking fuel, also contributes significantly to India's air pollution. While India has made progress in reducing indoor air pollution by phasing out kerosene lamps and promoting the use of cleaner fuels, open waste burning is projected to become the country's largest source of air pollution by 2035 if strong policies to promote recycling and waste management are not implemented.

Both China and India are undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization, which contribute to severe air pollution. China's rapid industrialization has led to increased energy use and industrial waste, with chemical toxins released into the environment. India's manufacturing industries are also significant contributors to air pollution. The burning of biomass fuel and coal for cooking and heating in households across China and India contributes to severe indoor air pollution, which has detrimental health effects.

Wildfires, linked to climate change, also exacerbate air pollution in both countries. China and India face the challenge of reducing air pollution to protect the health and well-being of their citizens, with air pollution causing respiratory infections, heart disease, lung cancer, and other serious health issues.

Household fuel usage

Recognizing the severity of the problem, China has implemented campaigns to substitute residential solid fuels with cleaner alternatives, such as electricity, natural gas, and biogas, in major cities like Beijing and Tianjin. These efforts have shown promising results, with projections indicating that over 60% of households may transition away from solid fuels, leading to substantial reductions in emissions and associated health risks.

In India, the situation is similar, with solid fuel usage prevalent in rural areas. According to the Indian National Census of 2001, 75% of households relied on solid fuels, primarily firewood and cow dung, with 90% usage in rural regions. The burning of these fuels in inefficient stoves and poorly ventilated kitchens results in high exposure to toxic byproducts of incomplete combustion, including particulate matter, gases, and toxic metals. This has severe health consequences, particularly for women and children, with an estimated 400,000 deaths from acute lower respiratory infections in children under five and 34,000 deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women attributed to household solid fuel use annually.

Despite the recognized health burden, India has not yet implemented large-scale campaigns to address household fuel usage, and environmental epidemiological efforts in this area remain limited. However, researchers have identified important directions for future interventions, aiming to address this critical issue within an integrated rural-urban framework.

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