Air Pollution: Who's The Worst Offender?

Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses severe health risks to humans and nature alike. It is responsible for over 10% of global deaths, with indoor air pollution causing an additional two million premature deaths in 2019. While air pollution is a global issue, with almost all countries contributing to high levels of pollution, some countries stand out as the most significant polluters. The top three polluters are the United States, China, and the European Union, with India and Bangladesh also featuring in the top five. These countries are facing increasing pressure to reduce their carbon emissions and offset their carbon footprint.

China's extensive use of coal

China is the world's largest polluter, with emissions primarily driven by its extensive use of coal. China's use of coal goes back thousands of years, with historians suspecting that ancient people in current-day China began using coal for surface mining around 3490 BC. In the 3rd century BC, Chinese people started burning coal for heat, and by the 11th century, coal was the main fuel source in the capital, Kaifeng.

China's coal consumption has been substantial, with the main demand coming from industry, particularly the iron industry. Chinese scientist Song Yingxing estimated that around 70% of iron was smelted with coal. By 1000 AD, Chinese mines were ahead of most mining advancements globally. Today, China is the largest producer and consumer of coal worldwide and is the largest user of coal-derived electricity. In 2020, coal-fired power stations generated 57% of electricity in China, and over half of the world's coal-fired power is generated in the country.

To address climate change, China has pledged to end inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. However, as of 2020, direct subsidies still exist, and coal power is favored through rules guaranteeing its purchase. China's continued reliance on coal has impacted other countries, such as the U.S., which is dependent on China for rare earth elements. To reduce their dependence, U.S. companies are exploring new coal mines to access these elements domestically.

US emissions and the Inflation Act

The United States is one of the world's biggest carbon polluters, alongside China and the EU. US emissions are largely attributed to its industrial revolution period and heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

To combat this, the US government has introduced the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest investment in reducing carbon pollution in the country's history. The Act is a multifaceted approach to tackling climate change, integrating climate-focused measures into economic policies. It includes provisions for clean energy investments, tax credits for renewable projects, and initiatives to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Act aims to drive environmental sustainability and economic resilience, with the potential to increase economic output and reduce climate damage.

The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to significantly reduce US greenhouse gas emissions. According to independent analyses, the Act is projected to decrease 2030 US greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 2005 levels. This reduction is particularly notable in the electricity sector, with emissions from electricity generation and use expected to decrease by 35-43% below 2005 levels by 2030.

The Act also includes a large expansion of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with the hiring of up to 87,000 new employees. This expansion has facilitated the collection of over $1 billion in past-due taxes from high-wealth individuals. Additionally, the Act has enabled companies in the energy sector, such as Occidental Petroleum, to expand their operations, and ExxonMobil and Eneos have revived production in certain oil fields.

The Inflation Reduction Act is a significant step forward in the US government's efforts to address climate change and reduce emissions. It reflects a recognition of the country's responsibility in contributing to the global climate crisis. By implementing this legislation, the US is taking concrete action to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices.

India's burning of fossil fuels

India, the world's second most populous country and third-largest economy, is undertaking significant efforts to provide modern energy products and services to millions of households living in energy poverty. However, India's rapid economic growth has come at a cost, with the country facing severe air pollution, particularly from burning fossil fuels.

A report by Greenpeace Southeast Asia estimates that India bears the third-highest costs from fossil fuel air pollution worldwide, amounting to 10.7 lakh crore (approximately US$150 billion), or 5.4% of its GDP annually. This pollution has devastating health consequences, with an estimated one million deaths and approximately 980,000 preterm births each year attributed to air pollution from fossil fuels in India. Additionally, around 1,285,000 children in India live with asthma linked to fossil fuel pollution, and there are about 49 crore days of work absence due to illness.

India's reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, has been a significant contributor to its air pollution crisis. Despite introducing initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to control pollution sources, India has made little progress in reducing its use of fossil fuels. Coal-fired power plants in India have repeatedly missed emission deadlines, and the country continues to subsidize fossil fuels, which drives indoor air pollution. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a fossil fuel used for cooking and heating, is subsidized and contributes to harmful particulate matter, affecting the health of women and children who spend more time at home.

However, there is growing recognition of the need to transition to renewable energy sources. A recent study estimates that fossil fuel subsidy reform and fuel taxation could help India prevent 65% of premature deaths caused by air pollution, reduce public health expenditure, and improve national productivity. Moving the energy generation sector from fossil fuels to renewables would not only prevent premature deaths but also result in substantial savings in health costs. India has set a goal of achieving universal access to electricity by 2022, and a just transition to renewable energy is crucial to addressing the country's air pollution crisis.

Iraq's industrial growth and traffic

The biggest air polluters are the biggest contributors to the more than 50 billion metric tons of CO2 released into the Earth's atmosphere each year. The largest part of these emissions comes from the use of fossil fuels, the generation of energy through non-renewable channels, and polluting human activities. China is the leading country in emissions, primarily driven by its extensive use of coal. The USA and EU countries are also significant contributors due to their industrial revolution periods and reliance on fossil fuels.

Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provided 89% of foreign exchange earnings in 2024. The country's industrialization and infrastructure development initiatives in the 1970s, including irrigation projects, railway and highway construction, and rural electrification, have contributed to its industrial growth. Most of Iraq's manufacturing activity is connected to the oil industry, particularly petroleum refining and the manufacture of chemicals and fertilizers.

The construction industry in Iraq has also been a significant contributor to its economic growth, profiting from the need to rebuild after the country's wars. In recent years, there has been a push for private sector growth, with the 2022 IKR Companies Law allowing 100% foreign business and property ownership for companies registered in IKR. However, foreign ownership of companies in federal Iraq cannot exceed 49%.

Iraq's non-oil economy grew by over 6% in the first nine months of 2021 due to a strong performance in the services sectors as COVID-19 restrictions were eased. This recovery outpaced the slowdown in the oil sector.

In terms of traffic, Iraq has been working to improve connectivity and safety on selected road sections of Expressway No. 1, a 1,200 km-long highway serving traffic along the country's east-west and south-north corridors. Traffic safety has improved along these corridors, reducing traffic-related fatalities. The engagement of international experts in developing traffic management systems has also contributed to improving mobility and communication with road users.

Bangladesh's brickmaking industry

While China is the world's biggest polluter in terms of emissions, with the US and EU also being significant contributors, Bangladesh's brickmaking industry is a major source of air pollution within the country. The country's rapidly developing construction industry has led to a growing demand for bricks, with production also on the rise.

The brickmaking process in Bangladesh relies heavily on coal- or wood-fired kilns, which emit large amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere. These kilns, often cylindrical in shape, are prevalent in cities and towns across the country, with around 1,000 located in the suburbs of Dhaka alone. During the dry season, when brickmaking is at its peak, the smoke and dust from these kilns mix with pollution from other sources, such as trash fires and vehicle exhausts, creating a dense cloud of pollution that hangs over the cities.

The health impacts of this pollution are significant. Research indicates that people living or working near these brick kilns are 10 to 20 times more susceptible to lung diseases than those who don't. Fine particulate pollution, which is a byproduct of the brickmaking process, is considered one of the most deadly forms of air pollution. It has been linked to respiratory issues, including child asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory symptoms. The World Bank estimates that reducing particulate emissions could save up to 3,500 lives and prevent 230 million cases of respiratory diseases annually in Bangladesh.

Despite the health and environmental concerns, the brickmaking industry in Bangladesh faces challenges in adopting cleaner technologies. The high costs associated with converting to more efficient kiln designs have slowed industry reform. Additionally, the lack of recognition of brickmaking as a formal industry in the country hinders kiln owners' access to financial support for small and medium enterprises, further complicating the transition to cleaner practices.

However, there are efforts to address these issues. The Bangladesh Brick Manufacturing Owners Association has acknowledged the environmental impact of the industry and expressed a willingness to transition to alternative bricks made from concrete, sand, and dredged soil from riverbeds. The government has also taken steps to phase out conventional brickmaking methods, with the environment, forest, and climate change minister announcing plans to gradually shut down traditional brick kilns and promote the use of alternative bricks for official constructions. These measures aim to reduce air pollution and preserve soil fertility by decreasing the reliance on agricultural topsoil as a raw material.

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