Which Nations Are Fighting Air Pollution?

Air pollution is a pressing issue worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that over 90% of people in low- and middle-income countries experience exceptionally poor air quality. Developing countries face particular challenges due to their growing economies and limited resources to invest in cleaner technologies. However, some countries and organizations are taking action to address this issue. For example, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), a global network of governments, organizations, and businesses, aims to improve air quality and protect the climate through initiatives targeting specific sectors. The European Parliament has also adopted stricter air quality standards and targets for pollutants, while countries in Southeast Asia could save lives and billions of dollars by reducing air pollution. China and the US, which have some of the worst air pollution, are also implementing changes to reduce their environmental impact. These collective efforts demonstrate a growing recognition of the need to tackle air pollution and its harmful effects on health and the environment.

China's coal consumption reduction

Air pollution is a critical issue, causing more than 10% of worldwide deaths, according to The Lancet. It is a more significant problem in developing countries, where environmental standards are often unmet. China, the world's largest consumer and producer of coal, has taken several steps to reduce its coal consumption and combat air pollution.

In recent years, China has recognised the environmental impact of coal and has begun to transition to alternative energy sources. In 2007, the Chinese government started to promote the use of natural gas as a substitute for coal in rural areas. However, the continuation of natural gas usage is dependent on the retention of government subsidies. China has also increased its imports of coal from countries like Australia, with imports reaching 23.47 million metric tons in 2023. This increase in imports is driven by factors such as surging electricity demand, transportation bottlenecks, and environmental considerations.

China's coal consumption is closely tied to its industrialisation. From 2002 to 2013, coal accounted for 77% of the increase in primary energy demand, driven by the cement, chemical, and steel sectors. In 2020, coal was responsible for 60% of electricity and heat generation, with industry accounting for an additional one-third of demand. However, there has been a steady decline in coal's share of primary energy since the mid-2000s, falling to 57% in 2020 and further decreasing in subsequent years.

The Chinese government has implemented policies to limit coal consumption, such as the "14th Five-Year Plan" (2021-2025), which aims to "strictly control" coal use. Despite this, new coal mines and coal-fired power plants continue to be constructed due to concerns about energy security and sector reliability. China's coal consumption reduction efforts have had mixed results, with consumption increasing in 2021 by almost 5% due to energy-intensive industries and relaxed policies. However, in the first half of 2022, coal consumption decreased by approximately 2-3% year-over-year, attributed to factors like COVID lockdowns.

China has made notable strides towards reducing its coal consumption and improving air quality. The transition to alternative energy sources, such as natural gas, and the implementation of policies to limit coal use have yielded some positive results. However, the country continues to face challenges, including fluctuations in coal consumption and the construction of new coal mines and power plants. China's efforts to balance environmental concerns with energy security will significantly impact its ability to achieve its climate goals and reduce air pollution in the long term.

India's air pollution problems

India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with New Delhi being the most polluted capital city globally. India's air pollution is a result of industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the burning of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households.

In 2019, of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 21 were in India. A study based on 2016 data revealed that at least 140 million people in India breathe air that is ten times or more the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, 13 of the world's 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution are in India.

The health impacts of air pollution in India are dire. Over a million Indians die prematurely each year due to air pollution, with over two million children in Delhi suffering from abnormalities in their lung function. Asthma is the most common health issue faced by Indians, with 50% of health issues caused by air pollution being respiratory problems. Air pollution is also believed to be a key factor in the early onset of Alzheimer's disease in India. The economic losses attributed to air pollution in 2019 amounted to US$28.8 billion in lost output from premature deaths and morbidity, equivalent to 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP).

To address these issues, the Indian government has implemented various measures. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to improve air quality across the country, with a focus on 132 cities that do not meet air pollution standards. The NCAP provides a framework for cities to develop air quality management plans and guides policies across multiple sectors. India has also strengthened vehicular and industrial emission standards, promoted renewable energy and electric vehicles, and supplied LPG cooking fuel to households. Additionally, the India Lighthouse initiative facilitates the exchange of expertise to develop India-specific practices for better understanding, management, and control of air pollution.

Other initiatives include 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, and the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility launched by IIT Bombay and Washington University in St. Louis to study air pollution in India.

Saudi Arabia's toxic air

Saudi Arabia has the most toxic air in the world, according to a 2017 report. The country's annual average concentration of PM2.5 is 88 µg/m3, which far exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended maximum of 10 µg/m3.

The country's air quality issues are multi-causal. Firstly, Saudi Arabia is the fourth-largest consumer of oil in the world, and its oil industry subsidizes energy use, leading to magnified carbon dioxide emissions. The process of oil extraction also contributes to air pollution by releasing high rates of carbon dioxide. Secondly, Saudi Arabia's urbanization and high standards of living have resulted in increased ground, water, and air pollution. Urban areas demand more desalinated water, and the desalination process is highly inefficient and generates significant greenhouse gases. Thirdly, the country's high standard of living encourages fossil fuel-based private transportation, which, combined with a lack of a concrete public transport sector, makes transportation a major contributor to air pollution. Finally, dust storms, which are common in the spring, also negatively impact air quality.

The Saudi government has begun taking some environmental action. The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), an institute dedicated to efficient and environmentally friendly energy use, has been established. KAUST is working towards a city model that only uses nuclear and renewable energies. Additionally, the government has created the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, a sector dedicated to endangered animal preservation and the creation of designated areas for wildlife protection and natural resource conservation.

Moreover, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture initiated a week of environmental awareness, during which almost a quarter of a million native trees were planted in over 13 provinces. While Saudi Arabia is considering renewable energy, there are currently no incentives to lower fossil fuel usage. However, new policies regarding renewable energy sources are being developed, and the construction of a renewable energy industry is underway.

On a global level, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions, and civil society organizations, is committed to improving air quality and protecting the climate. The CCAC supports partners and stakeholders in creating policies and practices to substantially reduce short-lived climate pollutant emissions.

Asia's fine particulate matter

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a leading global environmental risk factor for mortality and disease burden, with associated annual global welfare costs of trillions of dollars. Outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the leading global environmental determinant of health, with millions of attributable deaths each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the recommended limit is 10 micrograms per cubic meter, although there are also various national guideline values, which are often much higher.

In Asia, China has been particularly affected by fine particulate matter, with rapid economic development, industrial expansion, and urbanization leading to an increase in haze or smog episodes. Chinese cities have recently hit more than 500 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter, with the population-weighted mean of PM2.5 in Chinese cities at 61 μg/m3, about three times the global population-weighted mean, indicating a high health risk.

In East Asia, coarse particulate matter (PM with aerodynamic diameters between 2.5 and 10 µm) is a severe air pollution problem, contributing a particle mass comparable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This is mainly due to fugitive mineral dust, with contributions from both natural desert dust and anthropogenic sources, including on-road traffic, construction, and agriculture.

To address air pollution, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions, and civil society organizations committed to improving air quality and protecting the climate. The CCAC supports actions through 11 initiatives designed to provide transformative action in specific sectors or cross-cutting efforts to reduce air pollution. These actions include training, institutional strengthening, support for developing laws and regulations, technology demonstrations, and awareness-raising campaigns.

G20 countries' climate plans

Air pollution is a critical issue, with outdoor and indoor air pollution causing nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019, according to The Lancet. It is a significant problem in emerging and developing countries, where environmental standards are often not met.

The G20, which accounts for over 80% of the global economy, is in a powerful position to address this crisis. However, G20 countries have been criticized for not adequately integrating air quality into their climate plans. While low- and middle-income countries are taking more action on air pollution, some of the biggest emitters, including G20 members India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, have little to no mention of air pollution in their strategies.

The Clean Air Fund's scorecard, the Clean Air NDC Scorecard, assesses how countries are integrating air quality into their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to meet the Paris Agreement. Out of 170 commitments, only a third mentioned the health impacts of air pollution. This is despite the fact that air pollution can cause and exacerbate serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and asthma.

G20 countries must prioritize actions that address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and land loss, and pollution and waste. They should also support less developed nations in transitioning to low-carbon development paths and work towards finalizing a deal to end plastic pollution. The upcoming UN Climate Conference (COP29) will focus on climate finance, transparency, and enhanced NDCs, providing an opportunity for G20 nations to demonstrate leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability.

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