India Air Quality Alert – IQAir

Air Quality Assessment in India and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Current Air Quality Status as of October 30, 2025

As of October 30, 2025, air quality in northern India has reached critical levels, posing a significant threat to public health and undermining progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Major urban centers are reporting Air Quality Index (AQI) readings from “unhealthy” to “hazardous,” with dangerously elevated concentrations of PM2.5 particles. These conditions present severe health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

• Major cities have recorded AQI readings exceeding 300.
• Health advisories are in effect, recommending that residents limit outdoor exposure, use air purifiers, and wear protective masks.

2.0 National Air Quality Overview: 2024 Annual Data

India’s national air quality data for 2024 indicates a persistent challenge to achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 3. The country’s annual average PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 50.6 µg/m³, which corresponds to an AQI of 138 (“unhealthy for sensitive groups”).

1. This concentration is nearly 11 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
2. Based on this data, India was ranked as the world’s 5th most polluted country in 2024, highlighting a systemic environmental health crisis.

3.0 Analysis of Causative Factors and Links to SDGs

The severe degradation of air quality, particularly during the winter months, is attributed to a combination of anthropogenic activities and meteorological phenomena. These factors are directly linked to challenges in several SDG areas.

• Agricultural Practices: Large-scale crop residue burning in northern states is a primary contributor, impacting SDG 15 (Life on Land) through unsustainable land management practices.
• Energy Consumption: The residential use of coal and biomass for heating points to a gap in achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), as populations rely on polluting solid fuels.
• Urban and Industrial Emissions: Emissions from vehicles, industrial facilities, and construction activities are significant sources of urban pollution, directly conflicting with the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) to create safe and resilient urban environments.
• Meteorological Conditions: During winter, climatic factors such as temperature inversions and calm winds trap pollutants at ground level, exacerbating the concentration of smog and worsening air quality.

4.0 Short-Term Prognosis and Long-Term Outlook

The immediate prospect for air quality improvement is contingent on favorable meteorological conditions, such as increased wind speed and precipitation, which can help disperse accumulated pollutants. However, the long-term outlook for the winter season remains poor. Without significant and sustained interventions to reduce emissions at their source, the cyclical pattern of hazardous air quality is expected to continue. This underscores the urgent need for policy actions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals to address the root causes of pollution, thereby protecting public health and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on air quality in India directly addresses and connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly highlights the severe health implications of poor air quality. It mentions that the “unhealthy” to “hazardous” levels of air pollution pose “serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.” This directly links the environmental issue of air pollution to human health and well-being, which is the core focus of SDG 3.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article focuses on the air quality crisis within urban areas. It states that “major cities” are experiencing poor air quality and specifically names “Delhi, India, ranked as the 2nd most polluted major city in the world.” This connects the issue to the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, as poor air quality is a major threat to urban sustainability.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 3.9: Under SDG 3, this target aims to “substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” The article’s discussion of “hazardous” air quality, dangerously high PM2.5 concentrations, and the resulting “serious health risks” directly relates to the need to mitigate illnesses caused by air pollution.
   • Target 11.6: Under SDG 11, this target aims to “reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality.” The article’s entire focus is on the poor air quality in India’s urban centers, citing AQI readings above 300 and identifying cities like Delhi as being severely affected. This aligns perfectly with the goal of managing and improving urban air quality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions and implies specific indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Indicator for Target 11.6 (and relevant for 3.9): Annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The article provides precise data for this indicator, stating, “India’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 50.6 µg/m3.” It also provides a benchmark for comparison: “This level is nearly 11 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3.” This quantitative data is a direct measure of air pollution in cities and is the official indicator (11.6.2) for this target. It also serves as a proxy indicator for health risks under Target 3.9.
   • Indicator (Implied): Air Quality Index (AQI). The article frequently uses the AQI to describe the severity of the pollution. It notes that “several urban centers this morning (local time) have recorded AQI readings above 300” and classifies air quality levels as “unhealthy” to “hazardous.” While not an official SDG indicator itself, the AQI is a critical metric used by countries to monitor and report on air quality, making it a practical tool for tracking progress towards reducing urban air pollution and its associated health impacts.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.	PM2.5 concentration (as a measure of health risk from air pollution). Air Quality Index (AQI) levels described as “unhealthy” and “hazardous,” implying significant health risks.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality.	Annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), explicitly stated as “50.6 µg/m3” for India in 2024. Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in major cities, with values cited as “above 300.”

Source: iqair.com