India’s struggle to breathe: A closer look at Air Pollution, Climate Goals, and Health

By Vivek Saini 

In India’s quest for sustainable development and climate responsibility, the critical connection between air quality, climate change, and public health is important to note. At a time when air quality in North India has again deteriorated to hazardous levels, with Delhi air pollution spiking to 100 times the WHO health limit, recent studies have highlighted the complexities of this relationship. 

The “Clean Air NDC Scorecard,” a comprehensive assessment by the Global Climate and Health Alliance, has brought to light India’s challenges in integrating clean air into its climate plan. This underscores the significant link between air pollution and public health, urging a closer examination of how India and other nations navigate this intricate landscape. As the United Nations’ 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) draws near, it becomes increasingly important to explore how India addresses these challenges, bridging the gap between policy and action to promote cleaner air, climate responsibility, and public health.

India’s low ranking on the clean air NDC scorecard 

The Clean Air NDC Scorecard evaluates the inclusion of air quality considerations within Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). NDCs represent a nation’s commitment to achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal, which aims to limit global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably staying below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The contents of NDCs offer a comprehensive view of a government’s priorities concerning climate change. This evaluation serves as an indicator of the extent to which the inherent connections between air quality and climate change are acknowledged and actively addressed.

The study found that countries from lower and middle-income regions, primarily in the global south, are taking the lead in integrating air quality concerns into their national climate plans. Notably, Colombia and Mali scored an impressive 12 out of 15 points, and the top 15 performers, nearly all from low to middle-income nations, achieved scores of at least 8/15. These include Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Pakistan, Togo, and Ghana, among others, with Chile being the only high-income country in the top 15.

The assessment also found that, within the G20 nations, Canada and China are paving the way in incorporating air quality considerations into their climate strategies. At the other end of the spectrum, Australia, Brazil, the European Union, India, and even the United Arab Emirates, the COP28 host, recorded lower scores. Notably, countries like India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia had minimal or no mention of air pollution in their climate plans, despite India grappling with a substantial air pollution burden, resulting in 119.9 deaths per 100,000 population, the report mentioned.

Air pollution’s impact on mortality 

The researchers pointed out that climate change amplifies pollution, primarily in India, due to factors like stagnant atmospheric conditions, temperature-driven rises in particulate matter, and the formation of ground-level ozone. These effects are expected to have particularly severe consequences in India. In 2019, air pollution in India had devastating impacts, marking the highest pollution-related death toll in any country globally. A recent study led by researchers from the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health at Boston College, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Public Health Foundation of India, revealed that the death toll attributed to air pollution in that year accounted for a staggering 17.8 percent of all deaths in the country.

Economically, the consequences were equally profound. The $36.8 billion in losses due to pollution represented 1.36 percent of India’s gross domestic product. The report, titled “The health and economic impact of air pollution in the states of India,” raised concerns that these pollution-related losses could hinder India’s aspiration to achieve a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024.

Lead researcher Philip J. Landrigan, also the director of the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health, emphasized the colossal human toll exacted by pollution in India. The study found that it led to 1.67 million premature deaths annually—far exceeding the toll from COVID-19. The reduction of air pollution in India, the researchers stressed, could yield substantial benefits for both public health and the economy.

Challenges in bridging the gap between policy and action 

Air pollution stands as a significant menace to India’s environment, posing a substantial obstacle to economic progress. This pervasive issue spans various sectors, emanating from diverse sources nationwide. Particulate matter, notably PM2.5, presents a significant challenge, persistently surpassing established standards, especially in urban regions. The primary contributors to PM2.5 emissions are industrial activities, constituting 36 percent, and residential combustion, accounting for 39 percent. Additionally, the transport sector, mainly concentrated in urban centers, contributes 4 percent to emissions, with its actual impact on air quality being even more significant due to its ground-level presence. Addressing this multifaceted problem is crucial for both environmental sustainability and economic development in India.

In recent years, there has been a growing focus among policymakers on the deteriorating air quality in India. To address this issue, the National Air Quality Standards were introduced back in 1982, and they have been periodically updated to establish appropriate air quality levels. These standards aim to create a consistent framework for assessing air quality nationwide.

Despite these measures, the World Air Quality Report for 2021 indicates a concerning trend. Air pollution in India appears to have worsened in 2021, with an average PM2.5 level of approximately 58.1 micrograms per cubic meter. This level is more than ten times higher than the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO). This underlines the pressing need for more effective strategies to combat air pollution and safeguard public health in the country.

Balancing climate goals and fossil fuel expansion 

Dr Bhargav Krishna, Research Fellow at Sustainable Futures Collaborative, told CFC, “Air quality and climate goals are sometimes seen as at odds with each other given the interplay between aerosols and climate. However, we strongly believe that action on both can be synergistic. This is only possible when we invest in building a climate-ready state that is capable of mainstreaming action on climate and air quality across all of government, and center health policy on climate and air quality. Our past work has shown that our environmental regulators are lacking in technical expertise, able leadership and financial autonomy – fixing this would be an important first step to charting a holistic long-term strategy to address both climate and air quality goals.”

He also added that India’s energy transition story is yet to feature any meaningful discourse around the air pollution and health harms associated with fossil fuel use either locally within communities tied to those industries or regionally where air pollution is transported. Integrating this will require a nuanced understanding of the complex trade-offs involved in putting India on the pathway to a sustainable future while addressing the developmental needs of a country that is still home to a large population living below the poverty line. As we plan for this energy transition, we must have a complete picture of models that speak to the energy-economy dynamic but those that integrate broader social welfare harms and benefits.

India is transitioning towards increased renewable energy production, with a dual focus on enhancing energy access, affordability, and security. Simultaneously, it is positioned to become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies in the near future, which will significantly amplify energy requirements. The critical decision of whether to satisfy these needs through fossil fuels or sustainable green alternatives can shape the country’s greenhouse gas emissions trajectory for years to come. It marks a pivotal moment in India’s commitment to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

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References:

1. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/initiatives/clean-air-ndc-scorecard/
2. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Clean-Air-NDC-Scorecard_FINAL.pdf
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542519620302989?via%3Dihub
4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30298-9
5. https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/nation-world-society/international/air-pollution-in-inda.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPollution%20takes%20an%20enormous%20human,than%20from%20COVID%2D19.%E2%80%9D
6. http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NCAP_Report.pdf
7. https://www.iqair.com/world-most-polluted-cities/world-air-quality-report-2021-en.pdf
8. https://climatefuturesproject.in/
9. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2023/03/06/cf-india-can-balance-curbing-emissions-and-economic-growth