Context

• The Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago conducted the air quality life index study and the findings were of utmost significance for India.

Findings of the study

• India’s entire population lives in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (ugm3).
• Delhi figures again as the world’s most polluted city and takes almost 12 years off the life of the average denizen. 
• 67 percent of Indians live in areas that exceed India’s national standard of 40 ugm3.
• Between 2013 and 2021, India was responsible for 59.1 percent of the increase in world pollution. 

Causes of increasing air pollution

• • Policy failure: Poorly designed policies have failed to tackle the key causes of pollution, particularly of PM 2.5 particles.
    • For instance, ineffectiveness of the National Clean Air Programme that was announced in 2019 targeting a 40 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2025-26 relative to 2017 levels.

• Increasing contribution of non-renewable resources: India remains one of the world’s largest consumers of coal, and consumption is rising. Ultra-polluting thermal power plants account for the bulk of the generation while renewable energy (mainly solar) accounts for just 12 per cent of the mix.  

• Underperforming renewable energy sector: Minimal share of renewable energy sector is mostly due to heavy tariffs on imported panels for solar energy, complex domestic-sourcing norms, and the failure to address structural issues in power prices and technical problems.  These make state-owned distribution companies reluctant to incorporate renewable energy.
• Issues with electric vehicles: India’s dependence on fossil fuel is likely to nullify the effort to reduce vehicular-emission norms by promoting electric vehicles (EVs) since charging stations will continue to be fuelled by thermal power. Mis-targeted subsidies have also impacted the consumer transition to EVs. 
• Construction dust: Meanwhile, construction dust has emerged as a major source of pollution, overtaking vehicular pollution. Though the National Green Tribunal has mandated several procedures for reducing dust pollution at construction sites, these are observed mostly in the breach. 
• Stubble burning: The complex agricultural policies that encouraged water-intensive crops to be grown in water-poor areas lead to stubble burning in the north indian regions contributing to air pollution.

Conclusion

• As poor air quality in India is taking a disproportionate toll on the poor and middle classes, delivering clean air should be top priority for policy makers and politicians.