World Bank Unveils Program to Tackle Air Pollution Crisis in India
The World Bank has launched a program to address India's air pollution crisis. The program aims to tackle the impact of ambient particulate matter(PM)2.5 pollution through various initiatives. These include airshed management tools, State-wide Air Quality Action Plans, and the first extensive Regional Airshed Action Plan for the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). India's air pollution levels are alarmingly high with every individual exposed to hazardous PM2.5 particles. It is causing severe health risks like lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Air pollution in 2019 led to 1.67 million deaths, which is 17.8% of the total mortality rate, and caused an economic loss of USD 36.8 billion (1.36% of the GDP). PM2.5 emissions arise from diverse sources such as fossil fuels, biomass burning, and construction sites.
More than half of air emissions are created in the upper atmosphere due to different pollutants mixing from various areas, impacting air pollution across borders. To address India's air pollution challenge, the World Bank proposes an "airshed" approach, emphasizing coordinated efforts at the sub-national level. India has revised air quality standards, strengthened emission standards, and promoted renewable energy and electric vehicles.
"Persistently hazardous levels of air pollution have caused a major public health crisis in South Asia that demands urgent action. Curbing air pollution requires not only tackling its specific sources but also close coordination across local and national jurisdictional boundaries. Regional cooperation can help implement cost-effective joint strategies that leverage the interdependent nature of air quality", Vice President for South Asia, World Bank Martin Raiser said.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), a pivotal 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's commitment is underscored by the allocation of 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 innovative performance-based fiscal transfer funding program is the world's first for air quality management in cities, requiring 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 focuses on the densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plain, where pollution intensity is high, and the capacity to address the challenge requires significant support.
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. Collaborative efforts with academic institutions and practitioners involve modelling to enhance air quality management in the region. Air quality management is recognized as an ongoing process that necessitates integration into government capabilities, business practices, and individual behaviour.
The World Bank stresses the need for airshed-wide coordination to tackle air pollution. India's adoption of climate change initiatives presents an opportunity for co-benefits. A study by the World Bank and IIASA suggests that reducing air pollution could significantly cut India's CO2 emissions. The Bank is helping Indian cities and states implement airshed plans, with a focus on institutional capabilities, system implementation, and stakeholder collaboration. The goal is to reduce air pollution within a generation, drawing on successful strategies employed by other countries.
