Synopsis: The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed on September 7th each year.
The theme for 2024 is “Invest in Clean Air Now”, highlighting the need for immediate and collective action to reduce air pollution globally.
Clean air is important for people's health and day-to-day lives, while air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally.
Air pollution contributes to heart disease, strokes, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, it also threatens the economy, food security and the environment.
India has implemented several major initiatives to improve air quality and reduce pollution. Here are some key measures:
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) of the Government of India is a significant step in recognizing and resolving the issue of declining ambient air quality.
With an emphasis on about 132 “non-attainment” cities whose air quality requirements are not being met, the NCAP has set a deadline for improving air quality across the nation. The NCAP offers cities a comprehensive framework for creating air quality management plans and recommendations for policies in several fields.
Objective: Reduce particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) levels by 20-30% by 2024, using 2017 as the baseline year.
Focus: Targets 132 non-attainment cities where air quality standards are not met.
Funding: Approximately $1.7 billion was allocated to combat air pollution in 42 cities with over a million inhabitants.
Renewable Energy Expansion:
India aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, focusing on renewable energy expansion.
The country plans to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, with significant investments and international partnerships.
Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and various government schemes support this ambitious goal.
India had just about 2.5 GW solar capacity in 2014, which has grown more than 30 times in just 10 years to reach around 89 GW now.
Even in wind installed capacity, there is a 2.2 times jump in 10 years, from 21 GW to 47 GW.
Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) Blending Obligation (CBO):
The Indian government has introduced the Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) Blending Obligation (CBO) to promote the production and consumption of CBG.
Bio-CNG, also known as Compressed Biogas (CBG), is an upgraded version of biogas. When purified up to 98 per cent, it is suitable to be used as a green fuel for transportation or filling of cylinders. The process relies on high pressure and hence is called CBG.
The key objectives of the CBO are to stimulate demand for CBG in the CGD sector, import substitution for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), save in Forex, promote circular economy and assist in achieving the target of net zero emission etc.
Highlighting the key outcomes of the CBO, Shri Puri Said that it will encourage investment of around Rs. 37500 crores and facilitate the establishment of 750 CBG projects by 2028-29.
This technology can provide clean energy and address air pollution at three levels by trimming methane emissions, waste burning, and fossil fuel-powered automobiles.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is the most significant cleanliness campaign by the Government of India.
The government provided subsidies for the construction of nearly 90 million toilets between 2014 and 2019, although some Indians especially in rural areas choose to not use them.
The campaign was financed by the Government of India and state governments.
The former released $5.8 billion (Rs 40,700 crore) of funds for toilet construction in 700,000 villages.
As a result of the Swachh Bharath Mission movement, 55 crore people in rural areas changed their behaviour and started using toilets.
By achieving the objectives of the Swachh Bharath Movement, water and sanitation-related diseases have been reduced significantly.
Due to the reduction of open defecation (ODF), deaths due to diseases like diarrhoea and malaria have decreased in many villages, children's health and nutrition have improved, and women do not need to wait until dark to defecate. Rs.50,000 saved per household in rural India per year through the Swachh Bharat Mission Movement.
Focus: Nationwide cleanliness campaign to reduce waste and improve sanitation.
Impact: Reduces open burning of waste, a significant source of air pollution.
Promotion of Electric Vehicles (EVs):
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) for the implementation of a scheme titled ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme’ for the promotion of electric mobility in the country.
The scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years.
A switch to electric cars (EVs) can assist in improving air quality.
There is sufficient evidence to show that pollutants generated by conventional (i.e. fossil fuel-powered) motor vehicles considerably contribute to global emissions.
For instance, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has found that EV greenhouse gas emissions are roughly 17–30% lower than those of conventional vehicles.
The electrification of transportation lowers the need for oil, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and improves health results.
Over 2 million electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in the country as of February 2023, and there were 5,151 charging points.
The scheme promotes an efficient, competitive and resilient EV manufacturing industry thereby promoting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
These measures collectively aim to improve air quality and public health.🌱🌱
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