Air Quality and Climate Policy Integration in India
Frameworks to deliver co-benefits
Air pollution has emerged as one of India’s gravest social and environmental problems
in recent years. At the same time, the country is experiencing signs of a warming
climate with potentially devastating effects in the long term. Energy-related fuel
combustion is at the heart of both crises. It is a main source of three major air
pollutants, NOX, SO2 and PM2.5, and the largest contributor to India’s CO2 emissions.
In many locations, concentrations of particulate matter persistently exceed recommended
national and international standards with severe implications for public health. In
2019 alone, India experienced an estimated 1.2 million air pollution-related premature
deaths. At the same time, India’s growing economy is driving CO2 emissions, which
increased by more than 55% in the last decade, and are expected to rise by 50% to
2040. Today’s energy choices matter for future development, as they have direct and
far-reaching implications for the lives of a growing population. Energy-related air
pollutants and CO2 emissions often arise from the same sources, therefore the adoption
of an integrated approach to tackle both can deliver important co-benefits. This report
shows that well designed, coherent policy packages can deliver such synergies if properly
implemented. In order to demonstrate co-benefit potential, it provides quantitative
analysis that presents the ways in which flagship energy policies can contribute to
both air pollution reduction and climate change mitigation in tandem. Four key sectors
are assessed for this purpose: captive power plants, industrial energy efficiency,
road transport electrification and expanded access to clean cooking. Policy frameworks
that accommodate these synergies will provide a more impactful response and deliver
durable benefits to the most pressing national health and environmental challenges,
while offering great potential for India’s contribution in the global fight against
climate change.
Published on July 12, 2021