New Delhi [India], December 9 – In response to India’s escalating air pollution crisis, affecting the entire population of 1.4 billion, the World Bank has launched a comprehensive program aimed at curbing the devastating impact of ambient particulate matter (PM)2.5 pollution. The initiative includes the introduction of airshed management tools, the development of State-wide Air Quality Action Plans, and the creation of the first extensive Regional Airshed Action Plan for the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), encompassing seven union territories and states.
According to recent data, every individual in India is exposed to unhealthy levels of PM2.5, a particularly hazardous airborne pollutant. These particles, with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, pose severe health risks, leading to ailments such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Shockingly, air pollution was responsible for 1.67 million deaths in India in 2019 alone, constituting 17.8 percent of the total mortality rate. Furthermore, the economic toll of air pollution amounted to USD 36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36 percent of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attributed to premature deaths and morbidity caused by air pollution.
The sources of PM2.5 emissions in India are diverse, including the combustion of fossil fuels, biomass burning, and windblown dust from construction sites and industrial plants. Disturbingly, over half of these emissions are formed in a secondary manner in the upper atmosphere, where various gaseous pollutants from different areas mix, contributing to the widespread and cross-border impact of air pollution.
Recognizing the multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional nature of India’s air pollution challenge, the World Bank advocates for an airshed approach. An airshed, defined as a region with a common flow of air, extends beyond city boundaries, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts at the sub-national level.
India has already taken significant steps to address air pollution, including revising ambient air quality standards, strengthening emission standards for vehicles and industries, and promoting renewable energy and electric vehicles. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), a key government initiative, sets a time-bound goal to improve air quality across the country, with a particular focus on around 132 non-attainment cities where pollution standards are not met. The government has committed approximately USD 1.7 billion, based on the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations, to combat air pollution in 42 cities with million-plus populations. This funding program, a world-first for air quality management in cities, requires a 15 percent annual reduction in pollution levels.
The World Bank’s involvement in India’s Air Quality Management (AQM) is part of a phased strategy outlined in its Country Partnership Framework. Leveraging insights from similar projects in Mexico and China, the World Bank is focusing on the densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plain, where pollution intensity is high, and substantial support is needed to address the challenge. The AQM initiative introduces tools for airshed management, facilitates the creation of State Air Quality Action Plans, and develops the first extensive Regional Airshed Action Plan for the IGP. Collaboration with academic institutions and practitioners involves modeling to enhance air quality management in the region.
The World Bank emphasizes the importance of airshed-wide coordination, acknowledging that significant pollution reductions cannot be achieved by addressing local emissions alone. India’s alignment with climate change initiatives, such as the solar-energy revolution, presents an opportunity for co-benefits. A study by the World Bank and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) suggests that focusing on air pollution could significantly reduce India’s CO2 emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.
As the World Bank continues to support Indian cities and states in implementing airshed plans, the focus remains on institutional capabilities, system implementation, and collaboration with stakeholders. The goal is to reduce air pollution within a generation by drawing on successful strategies employed by other countries facing similar challenges. This comprehensive approach by the World Bank aligns with India’s commitment to cleaner air, sustainable development, and the well-being of its citizens. Through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies, this endeavor seeks to create a paradigm shift in India’s fight against air pollution.
