Air Pollution In India: A Deadly Crisis

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with air pollution causing around 1.67 million premature deaths per year—a figure that has been described as a silent killer. The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, and the burning of waste, fuelwood, and biomass. The government of India has launched several initiatives to combat air pollution, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate pollution by 20-40% by 2024-2026. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains to be seen, and air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to the country's health and economy.

India's air pollution crisis is a public health emergency, causing over 2 million premature deaths annually

India's air pollution crisis is a significant public health emergency, causing over 2 million premature deaths annually. It is one of the most polluted countries globally, with all of its 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. This toxic air is responsible for the highest pollution-related death toll in the world, with 1.67 million deaths in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of all deaths in the country that year. The economic losses due to air pollution in India were estimated at $36.8 billion in 2019, equivalent to 1.36% of its GDP, with costs to the healthcare system nearing $12 billion.

The primary sources of outdoor air pollution in India include emissions from vehicles like cars, trucks, and buses, as well as the widespread use of coal for electricity generation. Climate change further exacerbates pollution through atmospheric stagnation, increased particulate matter, and ground-level ozone formation, which are expected to be particularly severe in India. State-by-state analysis reveals a more than threefold variation in air pollution death rates, with southern states implementing more effective pollution reduction policies compared to northern states.

The consequences of India's air pollution crisis extend beyond the immediate health impacts. It increases the future risk of heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease for today's children when they become adults and is even reducing children's IQs. The economic aspirations of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2024 may be hindered by pollution-related losses, and the country's social and economic progress is jeopardized without effective pollution reduction measures.

To address this crisis, India's Parliament approved a law in August 2021 to establish the Commission of Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas. Additionally, India has launched the National Clean Air Program, aiming to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024. The private sector also has a crucial role to play, with initiatives like the India CEO Forum for Clean Air and the Clean Air Alliance gaining traction.

The human toll of air pollution in India is immense, and successful pollution reduction efforts will have substantial benefits for both the health of the population and the economy. It is imperative that India, in collaboration with state governments and neighboring countries, effectively implements its pollution action plans to safeguard public health and human rights in the face of this severe public health emergency.

The economic impact of air pollution in India: $36.8 billion in losses in 2019

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 1.3 billion people living in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds WHO guidelines. Air pollution in India resulted in 1.67 million deaths in 2019, the largest pollution-related death toll in any country that year. The economic impact of these premature deaths and the morbidity caused by air pollution was $36.8 billion in losses in 2019, equivalent to 1.36% of India's GDP. This figure includes the healthcare costs of treating diseases caused by air pollution, estimated at $11.9 billion, as well as lost output from premature deaths, valued at $28.8 billion.

The economic losses vary across Indian states, with the highest losses in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. The southern Indian states have put policies in place to reduce air pollution, and their economic losses are lower than those in the north. The economic impact of air pollution could impede India's aspiration to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024.

The main causes of outdoor air pollution in India are increasing emissions from cars, trucks, and buses, as well as the widespread use of coal to generate electricity. Household air pollution, caused by the use of solid fuels for cooking, is also a significant contributor to the country's poor air quality.

India has recognized the seriousness of the situation and has launched its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally relative to 2017 levels by 2024. The private sector also has a crucial role to play in combating air pollution, and organizations like the Clean Air Fund are working with businesses and the government to help India reach its clean air goals.

India's war on pollution: the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and other initiatives

India is actively fighting the issue of air pollution, which is a major health risk, claiming millions of lives annually worldwide. In 2019, India suffered greatly from this crisis, with 100% of its 1.4 billion population exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most dangerous type of air pollutant. This has resulted in severe health risks and economic losses, with air pollution offsetting nearly 1.36% of India's GDP in 2019.

The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households. In 2011, India's Central Pollution Control Board reported that 180 cities in India had particulate matter at least six times more than the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization.

India has initiated several measures to combat this issue, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The NCAP, in collaboration with the World Bank, is introducing tools to support state and regional air quality management approaches, aiming to formulate India's first State Air Quality Action Plans and Regional Airshed Action Plan for the Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP). The GRAP has been activated in several cities, with Stage I including measures such as dust mitigation at construction sites, effective waste management, and regular road cleaning.

Additionally, India is embracing innovative technological solutions, such as the installation of "smog towers" and the use of anti-smog guns. The country is also transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, with the Delhi Metro now meeting 60% of its daytime energy requirements through solar power, reducing its dependence on coal. Furthermore, India is collaborating with experts worldwide through the India Lighthouse initiative to develop India-specific practices and enhance its understanding and management of air pollution.

The war on pollution in India is a collaborative effort involving government initiatives, technological advancements, and community engagement, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a cleaner and healthier future for its citizens.

The role of the private sector in combating air pollution: the Clean Air Alliance and the India CEO Forum for Clean Air

India is one of the most polluted countries in the world. In 2019, 21 out of the 30 cities with the worst air pollution were in India. The capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) in New Delhi are nearly 10 times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines.

The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating. Air pollution is also caused by the adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels, which is common in South Asia. This practice increases emissions of harmful pollutants from vehicles, worsening urban air quality.

To combat air pollution, India has launched an ambitious National Clean Air Program to reduce particulate matter pollution by 20-30% by 2024. The country has also joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), committing to adopting cleaner energy, sustainable production and consumption patterns, and environmentally friendly transport, agriculture, industry, and waste management practices.

The private sector plays a crucial role in combating air pollution, but businesses' engagement with the issue has been minimal. The Confederation of Indian Industry's India CEO Forum for Clean Air is a national platform that brings together business leaders from various sectors to catalyse cross-sector change. The forum has grown to include 70 members in its first year, directly engaging with over 120 businesses. It has raised awareness about air pollution among business leaders and encouraged collective solutions, with members actively collaborating on clean air initiatives.

The Clean Air Alliance, launched in partnership with the World Economic Forum in 2021, includes prominent Indian businesses such as Wipro and Mahindra Group. The Clean Air Fund has also been instrumental in empowering healthcare professionals and amplifying health voices in the clean air movement. These collective efforts are crucial in addressing India's air pollution crisis and mitigating its devastating impacts on public health and the economy.

The impact of air pollution on life expectancy: Indians lose 5.3 years on average due to particulate pollution

India is the world's second most polluted country. Air pollution is a severe issue in India, causing approximately 1.67 million deaths in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of all deaths in the country. The economic losses due to air pollution in the same year amounted to $36.8 billion, or 1.36% of India's gross domestic product. The death rate due to ambient particulate matter pollution increased by 115.3% during that time, while ambient ozone pollution-related deaths rose by 139.2%. These increases reflect the rising emissions from vehicles and the use of coal for electricity generation.

The impact of air pollution on life expectancy in India is significant. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens an average Indian's life expectancy by 5.3 years compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m3. The National Capital Territory of Delhi, the world's most polluted city, has the worst air quality, with pollution reducing life expectancy by 11.9 years. All of India's 1.3 billion people reside in areas exceeding the WHO guideline, and 67.4% live in places that surpass the country's national air quality standard of 40 µg/m3.

The consequences of air pollution in India are far-reaching, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and affecting the next generation. In 2019, India declared a "war against pollution" and launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024. The Indian government set more ambitious goals in 2022, aiming for a 40% reduction in 131 cities by 2025-26. Meeting these targets could add 2.1 years to the average life expectancy of Indians living in these cities.

While India has made some progress in addressing air pollution, it still has a long way to go. Southern Indian states have implemented policies to reduce pollution, but northern states continue to struggle with more significant pollution levels and related consequences. India's private sector has been minimally engaged in combating air pollution, despite its crucial role in driving change. However, some businesses, like Wipro and Mahindra Group, are actively involved in the clean air movement through initiatives like the Clean Air Alliance.

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