Urban Air Pollution in India – Sanskriti IAS

Report on Urban Air Quality in India and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Rapid urbanization and industrialization in India have led to a severe decline in urban air quality, posing a significant threat to public health and sustainable development. This report analyzes the current state of air pollution in Indian cities, its primary drivers, and its impacts, with a specific focus on its implications for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Current Status: A Challenge to SDG 3 and SDG 11

The air quality in urban India presents a critical challenge to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The nation’s cities are among the most polluted globally, directly undermining the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.

• Global Ranking: According to the IQAir Report 2024, 17 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities are located in India.
• Pollutant Levels: Annual average PM2.5 levels are consistently 8–10 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 µg/m³, directly contravening SDG Target 3.9, which aims to reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.
• Health Impact: The Lancet Planetary Health reported 1.67 million premature deaths in 2022 attributable to air pollution, a stark indicator of the failure to protect public health under SDG 3.
• Economic Impact: The World Bank (2023) estimates an economic loss equivalent to 1.3% of GDP, affecting progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through reduced labor productivity and increased healthcare expenditure.

Analysis of Pollution Sources in the Context of Sustainable Development

The primary sources of urban air pollution are directly linked to unsustainable patterns of production, consumption, and urban planning, hindering progress across multiple SDGs.

1. Vehicular Emissions

   High emissions from diesel and older vehicles conflict with SDG 11.2 (access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2. Industrial Pollution

   Emissions from power plants, factories, and brick kilns highlight a need for cleaner production methods, as outlined in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

3. Construction and Road Dust

   Poorly managed construction activities contribute significantly to PM10 levels, indicating a gap in sustainable infrastructure practices required by SDG 11.

4. Domestic Fuel Combustion

   The use of solid fuels like coal and biomass in low-income urban areas undermines SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and exacerbates health inequalities, impacting SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

5. Crop Residue and Waste Burning

   These practices reflect challenges in sustainable agriculture and waste management, affecting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 respectively.

Impact Assessment and SDG Implications

Health, Economic, and Social Consequences

The multifaceted impacts of air pollution create significant barriers to achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

• Health (SDG 3): Air pollution is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer, and respiratory illnesses, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children.
• Economic (SDG 8): Economic growth is hampered by lost workdays, reduced productivity, and significant healthcare costs.
• Environmental (SDG 13, 14, 15): Pollutants contribute to acid rain, reduced visibility, and ecological damage, impacting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• Social (SDG 10): The burden of air pollution falls disproportionately on marginalized communities who often reside in high-pollution zones, deepening social inequalities.

Policy Response and Alignment with Global Goals

The Government of India has implemented several initiatives aimed at mitigating air pollution, which align with various SDG targets.

1. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Aims to reduce PM levels, directly supporting SDG 11.6 (reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities).
2. BS-VI Emission Norms: Advances SDG 3.9 by reducing harmful vehicular pollutants.
3. National Clean Energy Mission & National Electric Mobility Mission: These promote a transition towards renewable energy and sustainable transport, contributing to SDG 7 and SDG 13.
4. Smart Cities Mission: Focuses on creating green infrastructure and promoting non-motorized transport, in line with the principles of SDG 11.

Challenges in Achieving SDG-Aligned Air Quality Targets

Despite policy efforts, significant challenges impede the realization of clean air and related SDGs.

• Data and Monitoring Gaps: Insufficient monitoring infrastructure in over 400 cities hinders effective policy-making and accountability, a challenge for evidence-based approaches central to the SDGs.
• Weak Enforcement: A lack of stringent compliance mechanisms undermines the effectiveness of existing regulations.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Poor coordination between central and state governments obstructs the integrated approach required by SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Low Public Participation: Limited public awareness and engagement prevent the whole-of-society approach needed to drive behavioral change for sustainability.

Recommendations for an Integrated Path Forward

To accelerate progress, a comprehensive strategy integrating air quality management with the broader SDG framework is essential.

1. Adopt an Integrated Urban Air Management Policy: Foster collaboration between urban planning, transport, energy, and health sectors to ensure policy coherence, as advocated by SDG 17.
2. Promote Sustainable Transport (SDG 11.2): Prioritize investment in public and non-motorized transport infrastructure, including bus networks, metro systems, and cycling lanes.
3. Strengthen Green Infrastructure (SDG 11.7): Develop urban forests, green corridors, and buffer zones to improve air quality and enhance urban biodiversity.
4. Improve Waste Management (SDG 12.5): Enforce a strict ban on open waste burning and promote circular economy models, including waste-to-energy solutions.
5. Enhance Citizen Participation and Data Transparency (SDG 16): Empower communities with real-time, accessible air quality data and foster public-private partnerships to create a collective responsibility for clean air.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article extensively discusses the severe health impacts of air pollution. It explicitly mentions “1.67 million” premature deaths in 2022, and links pollutants like PM2.5, NO₂, and SO₂ to diseases such as asthma, stunted lung growth in children, heart ailments, stroke, and cancer. This directly connects to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article identifies energy sources as major contributors to pollution. It points to “Thermal power plants” (specifically “Coal-based power plants”) and the “use of coal, wood, and biomass for cooking” as significant pollution sources. Conversely, it highlights the “National Clean Energy Mission” which aims to “Promote solar, wind, and alternative energy” as a solution, linking the issue directly to the transition towards clean energy.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  Industrial pollution is cited as a key problem, with sources including “cement factories, smelters, and brick kilns.” The article also points to solutions that involve industrial innovation, such as the “Gujarat – Emission Trading Scheme,” which creates a “credit-trade mechanism for cleaner industries,” aligning with the goal of building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable industrialization.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is the central theme of the article, which focuses entirely on urban air pollution. It discusses the consequences of “Rapid urbanization, vehicular growth… and construction activities” on air quality in cities. The article mentions that “17 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities are in India” and discusses urban-centric solutions like the “Smart Cities Mission” to “promote green belts, non-motorized transport, and air quality sensors,” directly addressing the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article identifies “Open Waste Burning” as a common source of pollution in municipal areas. The “Way Forward” section proposes “Improved Waste Management” with a “strict ban on open burning, segregation, and waste-to-energy plants,” which relates to sustainable production and consumption patterns by focusing on waste reduction and management.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  Many of the pollution sources mentioned, such as “Vehicular Emissions,” “Industrial Pollution” from burning fossil fuels, and “Crop Residue Burning,” are also significant sources of greenhouse gases. Government initiatives like the “National Clean Energy Mission” and the “National Electric Mobility Mission” to “encourage EV adoption” are actions that both combat local air pollution and contribute to climate action by reducing carbon emissions.

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

1. 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 directly relates to this target by quantifying the health burden of air pollution, stating that there were “1.67 million” premature deaths in 2022 and detailing illnesses like “heart diseases,” “respiratory disorders,” and “cancer” caused by pollutants.

2. Target 7.2:

   “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.”
   This target is addressed through the mention of the “National Clean Energy Mission,” which has the objective to “Promote solar, wind, and alternative energy,” thereby aiming to increase the share of renewables to combat pollution from sources like “Coal-based power plants.”

3. 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 points to this target by highlighting industrial pollution and mentioning initiatives like the “Gujarat – Emission Trading Scheme,” which incentivizes “cleaner industries,” and the implementation of “BS-VI Vehicle Emission Norms” to reduce sulfur content in fuel, representing an upgrade to cleaner technology.

4. 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.”
   This is the most prominent target. The entire article is focused on the adverse environmental impact of cities concerning air quality. It discusses government programs like the “National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)” which aims to “Reduce PM levels… in 131 cities” and the “Smart Cities Mission” which promotes “air quality sensors.”

5. Target 12.5:

   “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.”
   The article connects to this target by identifying “Open Waste Burning” as a pollution source and recommending “Improved Waste Management” including a “strict ban on open burning” and promoting “waste-to-energy plants” as part of the solution.

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 several explicit quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

• For Target 3.9 (Health Impacts):

  The article provides a direct indicator for Indicator 3.9.1 (Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution) by citing “1.67 million” premature deaths in 2022 from the Lancet Planetary Health Report. This is a direct measure of the mortality burden.

• For Target 11.6 (Urban Air Quality):

  The article explicitly mentions the key indicator for Indicator 11.6.2 (Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities). It states that “Annual Average PM2.5 Levels” in urban India are “8–10 times higher than WHO limit (5 µg/m³).” The NCAP’s goal to “Reduce PM levels by 20–30% in 131 cities by 2024” also serves as a national progress indicator.

• For Economic Impact (Related to multiple SDGs):

  The article provides a clear economic indicator by stating the “Economic Loss” is “1.3% of GDP (World Bank 2023).” This can be used to measure the economic co-benefits of improving air quality and health (SDG 3) and creating sustainable cities (SDG 11).

• For Industrial and Vehicular Pollution (Related to SDG 9):

  An implied indicator is the reduction of specific pollutants from industrial and vehicular sources. The implementation of “BS-VI Vehicle Emission Norms” which reduced “Sulfur content in petrol/diesel… to 10 ppm” serves as a specific technical indicator of progress in adopting cleaner technologies.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sanskritiias.com