What India can learn from other countries to combat air pollution

New Delhi: A recent data released by IQAir for the year 2024 placed India as the fifth most polluted country in the world. With most of the top 20 polluted cities from the country. The most polluted and the second most polluted are Byrnihat and Delhi respectively. The PM2.5 in most Indian cities is over 10-15 times what WHO considers safe. While metro cities have hogged all the limelight in pollution debate and mitigation, it is the second tier cities that are generating the most pollutants in the country.

While the Union govt and various state govts have taken steps to address the pressing challenge, India can learn from others that have successfully implemented strategies to reduce pollution. Some of these strategies can help save people from breathing poisonous air. A study recently pointed out that people living in Delhi-NCR are losing five years from their natural lives.

China, once home to some of the world’s most polluted cities, has made remarkable progress in curbing air pollution over the past decade. Beijing, called "smog capital” during the 2008 Olympics, implemented a five-year action plan. Under this vehicle numbers were restricted in the capital, older polluting vehicles were phased out, emission standards were tightened. The city also banned coal-fired power plants. These measures were responsible for improving the air quality in Beijing.

One of China’s most successful strategies was prioritising public transport and electric vehicles. The country introduced a lottery system for vehicle registration, making it easier for citizens to obtain electric vehicle permits while restricting new petrol and diesel vehicles. Furthermore, Beijing restricted truck movement in the city centre and improved air quality monitoring systems, enabling authorities to implement data-driven policies.

These measures can also be used in India. Similar traffic measures can be implemented in metro cities. While in China it is easy to implement these measures as it is an authoritarian nation, coordinated efforts between state and Union governments and also the citizens can bring results.

The United States faced severe air pollution during the 1950s and 1960s. Incidents like the Donora Smog of 1948 showed the dangers of unchecked industrial pollution. After public outcry, the US government introduced the Clean Air Act in 1970, which set strict emissions limits for pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter.

The impact of these regulations has been profound and between 1970 and 2006, annual emissions of major pollutants in the US dropped significantly. While carbon monoxide emissions decreased from 197 million to 89 million tonnes, nitrogen oxide emissions reduced from 27 million to 19 million tonnes. Also, particulate and lead emissions saw 80 per cent and 98 per cent reduction respectively.

These efforts not only improved air quality but also brought economic benefits. Studies show that every dollar spent on implementing the Clean Air Act yielded $30 in health and economic gains. India can take inspiration from the US and hold industries accountable for pollution control.

Many European cities over the years reduced pollution through sustainable transport and urban planning. Paris doesn't allow cars in many historic districts on weekends and enforces odd-even vehicle bans. The city also offers free public transport during periods of high pollution to encourage people to leave their cars at home.

Amsterdam and Copenhagen have prioritised cycling infrastructure over motorised transport, resulting in cleaner air and improved urban mobility. The Danish capital plans to become carbon neutral by 2025 by reducing car dependency and investing in public transportation.

India can adopt similar policies by expanding pedestrian-friendly zones, improving cycling infrastructure, and enforcing low-emission zones in major cities.

Making policies is one thing, advising citizens to follow is another. One of the reasons the US and Europe were able to bring about change was through public participation. South Korea, for example, has effectively used road pricing policies to discourage vehicle use in high-traffic areas, while also educating citizens about the benefits of reducing pollution.

India also has to educate its populace about the dangers of air pollution and the benefits of public transport, carpooling, and reducing firecracker use during festivals.

Advanced air quality monitoring has played a major role in cities like London and Beijing in formulating effective pollution control policies. London’s introduction of Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) has led to a 13 per cent reduction in PM10 levels and an 18 per cent drop in nitrogen dioxide concentrations. This was made possible through real-time air quality monitoring.

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Pollution is not confined to political boundaries. In winter, Delhi’s air quality deteriorates due to crop stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana. Similarly, Beijing’s pollution is often exacerbated by emissions from surrounding provinces. China addressed this issue by implementing coordinated regional policies that required collaboration between multiple jurisdictions.

India can adopt a similar approach by fostering cooperation between state governments and the central government. Also, establishing air quality action plans and that specifically for specific regions can be effective.