Opinion | If China can cut its pollution, why can’t India – South China Morning Post

Report on Air Pollution in India and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

Air pollution in India has escalated into a severe public health and environmental crisis, significantly impeding the nation’s progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite existing policy interventions, air quality in major urban centers, including New Delhi, has reached hazardous levels. A 2024 IQ Air report indicates that ambient Particulate Matter (PM2.5) levels are more than ten times the safety threshold recommended by the World Health Organization. This situation directly challenges the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), requiring an urgent and integrated policy overhaul.

2.0 Impact on Health and Sustainable Urban Living

The persistent high levels of air pollution constitute a major health emergency, directly contravening the objectives of SDG 3. The crisis necessitates public health advisories for vulnerable populations to limit outdoor exposure and use protective measures. The primary contributors to this environmental degradation undermine the principles of SDG 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Vehicular traffic
• Construction dust
• Industrial emissions
• Seasonal agricultural stubble burning

3.0 Analysis of Current Policy Frameworks

India’s response to the air pollution crisis has been characterized by scattered and reactive policies that lack the scope for long-term, structural change. The primary policy instruments, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), exhibit significant limitations.

1. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): This framework is designed as an emergency response mechanism, activated only when pollution levels become severe. It fails to address year-round pollution sources, a critical requirement for sustained progress on SDG 11.
2. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched as a long-term strategy, NCAP’s focus remains heavily on monitoring rather than implementing the major structural changes needed to advance SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). It also inadequately addresses transboundary pollution, as it overlooks particulate matter originating outside city limits, thereby hindering the collaborative spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Furthermore, slow progress in transitioning to cleaner transport, promoting electric vehicles, upgrading industrial technology, and adopting clean heating solutions reveals a significant gap in achieving SDG 7 and SDG 9. Policy implementation often clashes with livelihood concerns, causing public resistance and delaying a just transition as envisioned by SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

4.0 Comparative Case Study: China’s Air Pollution Strategy

China’s successful efforts to combat air pollution offer a valuable strategic model. Between 2013 and 2017, Beijing achieved a 35 percent reduction in PM2.5 levels through a comprehensive and decisive approach that aligns with multiple SDGs.

• Legally Mandated Targets: Established clear, enforceable goals for pollution reduction.
• Industrial Modernization: Implemented vigorous industrial clean-ups, aligning with SDG 9.
• Clean Energy Transition: Shifted households to cleaner fuel options, directly supporting SDG 7.
• Stricter Emission Standards: Tightened vehicle emission rules to foster sustainable urban mobility, a key target of SDG 11.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

The article on air pollution in India connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by highlighting the multifaceted nature of the problem, which spans public health, urban living, and industrial practices.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly frames the issue as a “major health emergency,” mentioning advisories for masks and limited outdoor exposure, especially for vulnerable groups. This links the hazardous air quality to adverse health outcomes.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus is on severe air pollution in Indian cities, particularly New Delhi. The article discusses the failure of city-level action plans like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and the challenges of managing urban air quality, which is a core component of sustainable urban development.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The article points to China’s success in reducing pollution through “clean energy use” and shifting households to “cleaner fuel options.” It contrasts this with India’s slow progress on “clean heating,” linking the problem and its potential solutions to energy sources.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Pollution from “industry,” “construction dust,” and “traffic” is identified as a primary source. The article mentions the need for “industrial upgrades” and “tightening vehicle emission rules,” which relates to making infrastructure and industrial processes more sustainable.

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

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” The article’s description of air pollution as a “major health emergency” and the mention of hazardous PM2.5 levels directly align with this target’s focus on reducing health impacts from air pollution.
• Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.” The entire article centers on the hazardous air quality in Indian cities like New Delhi, making this target highly relevant. The discussion of policies like GRAP and NCAP, which are designed to manage urban air pollution, reinforces this connection.
• Target 7.2: “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” The article implicitly points to this target by citing China’s success through “clean energy use” and shifting away from “coal-based heating” as a model for tackling air pollution. This suggests that transitioning to cleaner energy is a key strategy.
• Target 9.4: “By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes…” The article’s call for “industrial upgrades,” “vigorous industrial clean-ups,” and “tightening vehicle emission rules” directly corresponds to this target of making industries and infrastructure cleaner and more sustainable.

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

The article explicitly and implicitly refers to several indicators that can measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted). This is the most direct indicator mentioned. The article states that a “2024 IQ Air report found India’s particulate matter (PM2.5) levels to be more than 10 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit.” It also mentions that the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims for a “20-30 per cent reduction in particulate matter levels,” providing a clear metric for tracking progress.
• Implied Indicator for Target 7.2: Share of clean/renewable energy in the total energy consumption. The article implies this indicator by highlighting China’s success through “clean energy use” and shifting households to “cleaner fuel options.” Progress could be measured by tracking the percentage of households and industries that have transitioned away from polluting fuels like coal.
• Implied Indicator for Target 9.4: CO2 emission per unit of value added or vehicle emission standards. The reference to “tightening vehicle emission rules” implies that progress can be measured by the stringency of these rules and the rate of compliance. Similarly, the call for “industrial upgrades” suggests tracking emissions from industrial sectors.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: scmp.com