Clearing the Air: Highlighting Actions on Fighting Air Pollution in India - NRDC
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INTERNATIONAL: INDIA FEBRUARY 2018 INTERIM FACTSHEET
Clearing the Air:
Highlighting Actions on
Fighting Air Pollution in India
Air pollution is one of the highest-ranking environmental toxic mixture of solids and liquids. Particles of 10 micrometers
health challenges in the world, especially in developing in diameter or smaller (PM10) and especially the even finer-
countries such as India. Since 2016, high air pollution levels sized PM2.5 are so small (much smaller than the width of a
and “air emergencies” have been in the news across India. human hair, for example) that they can penetrate deep into
Air pollution is no longer just a Delhi centric problem, but a the lungs, where they can cause serious health problems.
major threat to regions across India. To reduce air pollution Major sources of larger PM10 include windblown dust, and
levels and deadly health risks, leading regions are taking construction, while smaller PM2.5 stems from combustion,
action to address the threat of air pollution. including vehicles, power plants, industry, waste burning,
agricultural burning and cooking with solid fuels. Residents
This factsheet highlights actions that key regions in India in eight out of every ten Indian cities breathe polluted air
are taking to improve air quality and protect communities. that contains PM10 at higher levels than recommended in the
The actions highlighted include Delhi’s Graded Response national safety limits, according to a recent report.
Action Plan, the Ahmedabad region’s health-based clean
air program and air quality index; Chennai’s enhanced air
quality monitoring, and Nagpur and Bengaluru’s mitigation
efforts including electric vehicles. While this factsheet does
not provide a comprehensive list of activities underway to
tackle air pollution in India, it highlights several examples
that showcase the range of activities and interventions by
decision-makers and leading groups across the country.
These actions are good first steps toward building more
comprehensive action to clear the air.
THE AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM
Air pollution is a serious problem in India. Ambient air
quality is monitored in 280 cities, and all of them exceed
the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe levels of coarse
particles (PM10) – a major component of urban air pollution.
Indian citizens also face one of the highest exposures to PM2.5
in the world. Particulate Matter (PM) describes a complex
heavy trucks, shut down power plants, and close brick
Pollution Is a Major Health Threat Around kilns and stone crushers.
the World – The Lancet Commission on
• Delhi has also taken a series of actions to ramp up air
Pollution and Health 2017
quality monitoring and public awareness through Air
Quality Index (AQI) systems, with over fifty sites planned
Air pollution is the greatest contributor to pollution-related
for displaying the daily AQI at major traffic intersections,
deaths globally, according to a major scientific study
using data from over 25 monitoring sites administered
published in the Lancet in 2017. The study finds that global
pollution contributes to nearly 9 million premature deaths by different agencies, citizen monitoring, and targeted
every year—about 16% of deaths worldwide. The study programs for vehicles, including an odd-even program
examines data on causes of disease and premature deaths and restricting the entry and movement of heavy trucks.
from 130 countries.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate
Key findings for India: Change (MOEFCC) released a 12-point Air Action Plan to
tackle air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region
• India and China account for the largest number of
(NCR).
premature pollution-related deaths with India at an
estimated 2.5 million and China at 1.8 million deaths. • In February 2018, as a joint initiative of the Delhi state
• Ambient air pollution contributed to 1.09 million deaths government and MOEFCC, a two-week Clean Air
in India in 2015, while indoor air pollution contributed to Campaign and an air pollution monitoring “war room”
0.97 million premature deaths for Delhi were established at the Central Pollution
• Overall, pollution’s health impacts tally to an estimated
Control Board.
GDP loss of 1.3% in developing countries, compared to
0.5% in developed countries. • The state government of Delhi is in the process of
developing a “green budget”, laying out a comprehensive
action plan to tackle air pollution in Delhi.
Ambient air pollution is estimated to contribute to 1.1 million
premature deaths each year in India, a rise of almost 50%
since 1990, according to the 2017 State of Global Air report.4
AHMEDABAD REGION:
Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution because
HEALTH-BASED AIR PLAN WITH AIR QUALITY
of their still-developing bodies and a higher dose of pollution INDEX
per kilogram of body weight, compared to adults. Studies
have shown irreparable harm to children’s lung function from Ahmedabad is one of India’s largest and fastest growing
air pollution exposure. A recent study documented reduced cities with a population surpassing 7.3 million in the larger
lung development in children in Delhi when compared to metro area. The World Health Organization urban air quality
children in developed countries.5 Climate change is fueling database and several international and Indian studies have
more extremely hot days, and that heat worsens some types identified Ahmedabad as one of the most polluted cities in
of air pollution. the India.
• In 2017, Ahmedabad launched a new Air Quality Index
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: (AQI) and Air Information and Response plan that
DELHI’S GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN provides daily air quality reports and an early warning
system to alert residents about dangerously high
Delhi is the capital of India with nearly 25 million residents pollution levels. This plan helps to support a local expert
across the larger metropolitan area. Severe air pollution group convened to formulate policy recommendations,
continues to plague the region, with major spikes during the utilizing technical expertise from the Indian Institute
winter seasons. Delhi is considered one of the most polluted of Tropical Meteorology, Pune and the System of Air
cities in the world. Government officials, health experts, and Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR),
civil society groups are taking a flurry of actions in efforts to and partnering with the Indian Institute of Public
improve air quality: Health-Gandhinagar and the Natural Resources Defense
Council. The plan also supports an air quality awareness
• Based on an order by the Supreme Court of India in 2017,
program that reaches 140,000 children in over 90 schools.
Delhi’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), prepared
by the Environment Pollution (Protection and Control) • The AQI is based on ten new air quality monitoring
Authority, aims to improve air quality by triggering alerts stations across the Ahmedabad region, with 11 LED
when high air pollution levels last for 48 hours. The plan display boards that publicize both the AQI and specific
aims to issue alerts when air pollution persists; responses ways for citizens (including vulnerable populations) to
could include measures to stop garbage burning, ban protect their health on polluted days.
PAGE 2 NRDC INTERNATIONAL: INDIA CLEARING THE AIR: HIGHLIGHTING ACTIONS ON FIGHTING AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA
Chennai in 2018 that display results on a website as part
of a joint project by Huma Lung Foundation, The Other
Media’s Healthy Energy Initiative, and UrbanSciences.
The monitors measure levels of PM2.5, carbon monoxide,
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
BENGALURU REGION:
LEADING THE CHARGE WITH ELECTRIC
VEHICLES
A major technology hub and the capital of Karnataka,
Bengaluru has been increasingly in focus for its air pollution
that regularly exceeds national safety limits. A reputation for
endless snarls of traffic congestion and vehicular emissions
motivated state and local administrations to take action on
• A volunteer expert working group comprising of premier air pollution. The Bengaluru region is piloting activities and
academic institutions has been formed in Ahmedabad to policy development focused on electric vehicles:
advise steps to improve air quality in the city.
• The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM),
the local power utility, is launching fast-charging public
CHENNAI REGION: stations for electric vehicles in 2018 with 11 stations
INFORMING CITIZENS USING AIR QUALITY throughout the city, with the first station set to be
MONITORS ON HOSPITALS inaugurated in February 2018.
• Bangalore’s infrastructure planning is part of the state’s
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is the fourth largest city 2017 EV Policy – the first statewide policy in India.
in India. Tamil Nadu is a major contributor to India’s gross
domestic product and is one of the country’s most urbanized • Other initiatives in the Bengaluru region to support
states. Air pollution is an increasing concern with emissions clean air activities include air quality monitoring systems
from vehicles, industry and thermal plants, among others. by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, and
Focusing on improved monitoring, groups in the Chennai potential collaborations with industry leaders and
region are stepping up efforts: automakers to roll out electric vehicles in the city.
• The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board operates
eight continuous air quality monitoring stations in NAGPUR REGION:
the Chennai region under the National Air Quality DRIVING TRANSFORMATION IN PUBLIC
Monitoring Program, and has yet to convert the raw E- MOBILITY
concentration data into an air quality index.
In the heart of India, the Nagpur region is driving the
• Launching a local air quality monitoring network, country’s move toward electric vehicles. With a population
hospitals and other groups installed low cost real-time of 2.5 million, Nagpur is the third largest city in the state of
air quality monitoring systems at five locations in
CLEARING THE AIR: HIGHLIGHTING ACTIONS ON FIGHTING AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA NRDC INTERNATIONAL: INDIA PAGE 3
National Action on Clean Air
Recognizing that ambient air pollution is a major national
problem that needs to be addressed, the national
government and other groups are stepping up to take action.
These efforts include:
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Environment, Forests
and Climate Change, announced that India will
strengthen the National Clean Air Programme in around
100 non-attainment cities where parameters (air
quality) are not right and requires attention. The target
is that these cities will bring down pollution levels
by 50% over the next 5 years. The programme will
Maharashtra and it faces severe air pollution problems from include expanding monitoring networks, conducting air
vehicular traffic and the clusters of neighboring industrial pollution health impact studies, setting up of air info
and thermal power plant activities. To mitigate pollution, systems, certification of monitoring institutes, air quality
Nagpur is boosting electric vehicle mobility: forecasting systems, awareness and capacity building
drives, among others.
• Nagpur is the first city in India to have announced a large
• The Central Pollution Control Board is executing a
electric fleet in 2017 with a total of 200 electric vehicles nation-wide program of ambient air quality monitoring
planned for the city, including taxis, buses, e-rickshaws known as the National Air Quality Monitoring Program
and auto-rickshaws. (NAMP). The network consists of 683 operating stations
covering 300 cities and towns across the country.
• To drive transformation, Nagpur is building a plan with
• Following a Supreme Court directive to address the
charging infrastructure, partnerships with ride-sharing
severe air pollution experienced in Delhi in the winter of
company Ola for elective vehicles, tax incentives for
2017, the national government announced a two-year
electric and hybrid vehicles as well as lower fares for advancement of the roll out of the Bharat Stage VI fuel
electric buses. The first charging station was opened in (equivalent to Euro IV) in Delhi in April 2018.
November 2017. • In 2017, the Indian government announced that all new
cars sold in India by 2030 will be electric. Following this
announcement, the national government established an
WE ALL BREATHE THE SAME AIR Electric Vehicle 2030 Mission, with the national think
tank NITI Aayog in charge of spearheading the mission,
Air pollution is a countrywide challenge, and the impacts coordinating the different agencies involved, and drafting
of bad air are not localized. Tackling this issue requires a national EV policy. The state-owned Energy Efficiency
not only effective interagency coordination, but bold Services Limited (EESL) is leading the way in the
action by all stakeholders. Achieving clean air is not the government by floating two tenders for 10,000 electric
government’s responsibility alone. Industry, civil society and vehicles each for use by the national government.
the media all play key roles – from market transformation
to public information and education. Some recent and key
• Non-governmental organizations such as the Public
developments include:
Health Foundation of India, Indian Institute of Public
• At the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos, Anand Health, Centre for Science and Environment, Urban
Mahindra, Chairman of the multi-billion-dollar Emissions, Clean Air Asia, Natural Resources Defense
Mahindra Group, committed that all Mahindra Rise Council, The Energy and Resources Institute, among
group companies would set and work towards science- others, are working with state and local governments to
based emission reduction targets, challenging 500 other help develop clean air response plans and awareness
companies to set similar targets in 2018. systems.
• Automakers such as Mahindra and TATA motors are
rolling out electric auto models, and are in discussions Cities, states, and the national government are stepping
with the government for collaborations to enable larger up efforts to improve air quality. However, much greater
scale expansion. action is needed to protect human health and the wellbeing
of India’s most vulnerable populations in our cities and
• National and local media are ramping up daily reporting towns. These actions are a step in the right direction and
and information campaigns on air pollution in regions continuing strong leadership to spur action is the key to
across India, including publication of local AQIs. transformative change on the ground – and in the air.
PAGE 4 NRDC INTERNATIONAL: INDIA CLEARING THE AIR: HIGHLIGHTING ACTIONS ON FIGHTING AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA
KEY SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• Health Effects Institute, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease Project,
State of Global Air 2017, 2017.
• GreenPeace, Clean Air Nation, Airpocalypse II: Assessment of Air Pollution in Indian Cities, 2018.
• The Lancet, The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, October 19, 2017.
• Central Pollution Control Board, Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi & NCR, Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
• Air Laboratory, Ambient Air Quality Data of Delhi-NCR for the Month of November 2017, Central Pollu-
tion Control Board, December 2017.
• World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository, Ambient (Outdoor) Air Pollution
Database, by Country and City, 2014;
• SAFAR-Ahmedabad, SAFAR-Air Quality Forecast for Diwali-2017, Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Indian
Meteorological Department, 2017.
• Natural Resources Defense Council, Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Institute of Tropi-
cal Meteorology, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Ahmedabad Air Information and Response Plan,
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, May 2017.
• Government of Tamil Nadu, Urban Scenario in Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Air, Noise and Water Monitoring Network.
• Government of Karnataka, Proceedings of the Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Electric Vehicle and
Energy Storage Policy 2017, 2017.
• Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Annual AQI of Bangalore and other cities, 2017.
• UrbanEmissions, Daily Dose of Air Pollution Air Quality in Nagpur (Maharashtra), October 18, 2016.
• NITI Aayog, Rocky Mountain Institute, India Leaps Ahead: Transformative Mobility Solutions for All, NITI
Aayog, May 2017.
CLEARING THE AIR: HIGHLIGHTING ACTIONS ON FIGHTING AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA NRDC INTERNATIONAL: INDIA PAGE 5rECoMMEndatIons to sCalE ClEan n report jobs data: Given the importance of emplo
EnErgy In IndIa in the Indian market, increasing the transparency
The overall key recommendations from NRDC and information about the number of jobs created in t
Highlighted Resources:
CEEW’s analysis are as follows: renewable energy sector would strengthen public
and lender confidence in clean energy.
n Boost Financing: To inject new liquidity and reduce the
cost ofHealth
Protecting capital, theIncreasing
from Indian government
Air Pol- should develop AhmedabadTimely Policy implementation:
Air Information and Response (AIR)Policy
Plan delays and
n
innovative
lution unpredictable shifts, such as wind energy’s acceler
financing solutions, such as green banks, https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/ahmedabad_air_
in Ahmedabad
https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/
green bonds, and infrastructure debt funds for renewableplan_feb_2017_final_pdf.pdf
depreciation policies and long delays in solar poli
ahmedabad_aqi_-_final.pdf have recently slowed solar and wind market growt
energy. The government must diligently enforce
Renewables Purchase Obligations (RPOs) and support Both national and state programs must continue t
further development of the Renewable Energy Certificate increase market momentum through timely progr
(REC) market to send clear market signals. implementation, with predictable timelines for gu
auctions, and payments.
Highlighted blogs:
• Air Pollution Emergency in Delhi – #DelhiSmog, Anjali Jaiswal, Sayantan Sarkar
For more information and to download these reports, please visit:
(https://www.nrdc.org/experts/anjali-jaiswal/air-pollution-emergency-delhi-delhismog)
•
www.nrdc.org/international/india/renewable-energy-jobs.asp
Indian Cities: Air Pollution this Diwali, Dr. Dileep Mavalankar, Sayantan Sarkar, Anjali Jaiswal
(https://www.nrdc.org/experts/anjali-jaiswal/indian-cities-air-pollution-diwali)
• Reenergizing
international: india
New Air Quality Flag Program for India’s SolarSayantan
Schools in Ahmedabad,
ReeneRgizing india’s solaR eneRgy
Energy Sarkar, Nehmat Kaur Creating Green Jobs: Employmen
auguSt 2014 report
international: india
Creating green Jobs: employment Created
auguSt 2014 iSSue paper
(https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nehmat-kaur/new-air-quality-flag-program-schools-ahmedabad) Created by Kiran Energy’s 20 Me
Market Through Financing
MaRket thRough Financing by Kiran energy’S 20 megawatt Solar plant in
rajaSthan, india
india’s rapid growth has resulted in energy demand that consistently outstrips supply. in 2010, as part of its plan
to address the urgent and growing demand for energy by advancing clean energy solutions, the government of
prepared by:
india’s ministry of new and renewable energy (mnre) launched the jawaharlal nehru national Solar mission (nSm)
Council on energy, environment and Water
natural resources defense Council to promote grid-connected and off-grid solar energy. the mission’s goal is to establish india as a global leader in
solar energy through policies that lead to the deployment of 20 gigawatts (gw) of solar power by 2022, enough
to meet the peak demand of delhi—a city of 16 million people—3.5 times over.1 recognizing the vast potential for
© bhaskar deol
Solar Plant in Rajasthan, India
Solar panels at a nSM employment generation in the indian renewable energy sector, the central government has also cited job creation
commissioned power plant
at Jaisalmer, rajasthan
as part of its rationale for the Solar mission.
www.nrdc.org/international/india/files/renewable-
© Kiran energy
• Flagging Air Pollution for School Children in Ahmedabad, Sayantan Sarkar, Nehmat Kaur
energy-solar-financing-report.pdf www.nrdc.org/international/india/files/renew
(https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nehmat-kaur/flagging-air-pollution-school-children-ahmedabad) energy-solar-jobs-kiran-ip.pdf pdf
• Health First: Ahmedabad’s Groundbreaking AIR Plan, Anjali Jaiswal Supported in part by: Supported in part by:
(https://www.nrdc.org/experts/anjali-jaiswal/health-first-ahmedabads-groundbreaking-air-plan)
•
international: india
Ahmedabad, India: Protecting the Most Vulnerable from Dangerous Air Pollution, Frances Beinecke
A Second Wind for indiA’S energy MArket:
auguSt 2014 iSSue paper
A Second Wind for India’s Energy international: india
Making Use of the Roof: employment
auGuSt 2014 iSSue paper
Making Use of the Roof: Employm
Market: Financing Mechanisms to Generation from Hero MotoCorp’
Financing MechaniSMS to Support india’S Generation from Hero motoCorp’S 80 kW
national Wind energy MiSSion rooftop Solar projeCt in Haryana india
india is struggling with skyrocketing energy demands, declining energy supplies, and peak load blackouts and as prices of solar photovoltaic (pV) electricity approach grid parity with fossil fuels, solar pV is rapidly becoming
(https://www.nrdc.org/experts/frances-beinecke/ahmedabad-india-protecting-most-vulnerable-dangerous-air-pollution)
shortages that limit energy access.1 the country’s recent economic growth has depended largely on fossil fuels, an economically viable source of electricity. the escalating costs of electricity from coal, gas, or diesel-based
resulting in greater energy security concerns, higher electricity pricing, and increased pollution. at the same time, generation, coupled with attractive government rooftop solar programs, are motivating leading companies to
the Indian government recognizes that wind energy can be a significant clean energy resource. Supported by take advantage of their roofs to generate electricity for industrial and commercial applications. as companies are
initial government policies, India is already the fifth-largest wind energy producer, achieving 20 gigawatts (GW) of learning, not only do rooftop solar projects increase reliable energy supply, but they also create much needed jobs.
installed wind power. Yet, much more can be achieved. India’s wind energy production can grow at least four to five this report takes a close look at clean energy employment generation, using the Hero motoCorp’s 80 kW rooftop
Support India’s National Wind Mission Rooftop Solar Project in Haryana
times its current level to achieve the country’s 100 gW wind energy potential.2 to achieve the higher potential, the pV project in Haryana, installed by Hero future energies, as an illustrative example.
government announced plans in 2014 to launch a national Wind energy Mission. designing strong policies and
programs that attract investment is essential to scale wind power to reach 100 gW and to breathe new life into
india’s wind energy market.
© bhaskar deol
India’s renewable energy capacity is nearly 13 percent energy installations. Wind energy is also vital to diversifying
of total generation capacity. Of the total renewable energy India’s energy mix and is a viable means to meet demands for
generation, wind energy currently makes up the majority clean, affordable energy that creates jobs as discussed in the
• Indian Leaders Move to Tackle Growing Costs of Air Pollution, Frances Beinecke
with nearly 70 percent. The country’s 100 GW wind energy 12th Five-Year Plan.
potential—almost half of India’s total electricity generation Investments in the Indian wind market have fluctuated
capacity in 2013—reveals tremendous opportunities for as have government policies. Financiers invested more than
solving India’s energy crisis through a resurgence in wind Rs 18,700 crore ($3.9 billion) in wind energy to add 3,200 MW
www.nrdc.org/international/india/files/renewable- www.nrdc.org/international/india/files/renew
© bhaskar deol
Wind mills in Jath, Sangli district
in Maharashtra, india
(https://www.nrdc.org/experts/frances-beinecke/indian-leaders-move-tackle-growing-costs-air-pollution)
energy-wind-financing-IP.pdf energy-solar-jobs-hero-ip.pdf
Supported in part by: Supported in part by:
international: inDia
Solar Power JobS:
august 2014 report
Solar Power Jobs: Exploring the international: india
Creating green Jobs: employment Generation
auGuSt 2014 iSSue paper
Creating Green Jobs: Employmen
Employment Potential in India’s Generation from Wind Energy in I
exPloring the emPloyment Potential by GameSa-renew power’S 85 meGawatt wind
in india’S grid-ConneCted Solar market project in jath, maharaShtra
Facing rising fuel prices, threats to energy security, and the need to manage economic growth with pragmatic
consideration of climate change, renewable energy offers a critical solution to india’s burgeoning energy demand
prepareD by:
challenges. Further, renewable energy technologies are more labor-intensive than more mechanized fossil fuel
Council on energy, environment and Water
natural resources Defense Council technologies, as demonstrated in more mature markets, and can provide a tremendous opportunity to create
domestic jobs.1 wind power, constituting the largest share of india’s installed renewable capacity at 68 percent,
is price competitive with conventional thermal power in india. this robust, 30 year old market is expected to be
Grid-Connected Solar Market
© bhaskar Deol
vital to realizing india’s goal of doubling renewable energy capacity in the country by 2017, as outlined in india’s
12th Five Year Plan. This maturing sector also presents an added opportunity to generate significant employment
www.nrdc.org/international/india/files/renew
in the country.
© bhaskar deol
energy-wind-jobs-ip.pdf
www.nrdc.org/international/india/files/renewable-
energy-solar-jobs-report.pdf
supporteD in part by: Supported in part by:
Authors
CEEW team: Arunabha Ghosh, Rajeev Palakshappa,
Rishabh Jain, Shalu Aggarwal, Poulami Choudhury
NRDC team: Anjali Jaiswal, Meredith Connolly,
Bhaskar Deol, Nehmat Kaur, Avinash Kar
natural resources Council on Energy, Copyright © 2018 Natural Resources
Defense Council
defense Council Environment and Water
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