Air Pollution

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)

Act, 1981, was enacted under Art. 253 of the
Constitution to implement the decisions taken
at the United Nations Conference on Human
Environment held at Stockholm in June 1972, in
which India participated. Sustainable
development, in terms of enhancement of
human well- being, is an integral part of India’s
development philosophy.
 Air Pollution
Data generated from National Air Quality
Monitoring Programme (NAMP) over the years
reveal that particulate matters (PM10 and
PM2.5) are the major challenge which are
found to be exceeding the National Ambient Air
Quality Standard (NAAQS) all across the
country more specifically in urban areas of
Indo-Gangetic plain. Other pollutants such as
SOx , NOx and ozone (O3) are mostly observed
to be within the prescribed national standards.
 Air Pollution
While there are some variations due to differences
in methodologies and the year of estimation,
however, there is broad convergence of the
estimates. While vehicles, industries, rampant
constructions, biomass burning, diesel gensets,
commercial and domestic use of fuel, etc are major
sources of pollution, the inherent disadvantages
specifically of the Indo-Gangetic plain stemming
from its geographical location and soil composition,
compounds the air pollution woes for the region.
The Indo-Gangetic plain is essentially landlocked and
the Himalayas prevent polluted air from escaping to
the north creating the so called “valley effect” and
dry alluvial soil significantly contributes to wind-
blown dust.
 NATIONAL AIR QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME
Central Pollution Control Board along with State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control
Committees are monitoring ambient air quality at 818 locations in 352 cities covering 28 States &
6 Union Territories (UTs) across the country by manual monitoring under National Ambient Air
Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP).
Under NAMP, four air pollutants viz. SO2, NO2, suspended particulate matter (PM10), and fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) have been identified for regular monitoring at all the locations.
In addition, there are 309 real-time Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations
(CAAQMS, monitoring 08 pollutants viz. PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOx , ammonia (NH3), CO, ozone
(O3), and benzene.
PM10 are inhalable coarse particles, which are particles with a diameter between 2.5 and
10 micrometers (μm) and PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less.
Particulates are the deadliest form of air pollutants due to their ability to penetrate deep into the
lungs and blood streams unfiltered. The smaller PM2.5 are particularly deadly as it can penetrate
deep into the lungs.
 NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (NAAQS)
Ambient air quality refers to the condition or quality of the outdoor air. NAAQs are the standards
for ambient air quality with reference to various identified pollutant notified by the CPCB under
the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (NAAQS)
 NATIONAL AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI)
Launched by PM Modi in April, 2015
It transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a
single number (index value), nomenclature and colour.
There are six AQI categories, namely, good, satisfactory,
moderately polluted, poor, very poor, and severe.
Each of these categories is decided based on the ambient
concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health
impacts (known as health breakpoints).
The AQ sub-index and health breakpoints are evolved for eight
pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Lead (Pb))
Based on the measured ambient concentrations of a pollutant, a
sub-index is calculated, which is a linear function of
concentration
The worst sub-index determines the overall AQI.
The AQI categories and health breakpoints
 FORTY-TWO ACTION POINTS
The CPCB has issued a comprehensive set of directions under Section 18 (1) (b) of
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,, for the implementation of 42
measures to mitigate air pollution in the major cities, including Delhi and NCR
comprising action points to counter air pollution, which include control and
mitigation measures related to vehicular emissions, re-suspension of road dust and
other fugitive emissions, bio-mass/municipal solid waste (MSW) burning, industrial
pollution, construction and demolition (C&D) activities, and other general steps.
Directions containing 42 action points, which was issued initially for
implementation in NCR was subsequently extended to state boards for the
implementation in other non-attainment cities.
 EPCA
Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) was constituted
under Section 3(3) of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, in 1998 in pursuance of
the Supreme Court Order dated 7.1.1998 in of M.C. Mehta vs UoI & Ors case, to
look into the matter pertaining to environmental pollution in the NCR region.

The EPCA has been subsequently re-constituted from time to time.

 GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN (GRAP)
The government has notified a graded response action plan for Delhi and the NCR
region, which comprises the graded measures for each source framed according to
the AQI categories.
It also takes note of the broad health advisory for each level of the AQI that was
adopted by the Government of India along with the AQI.
The proposal has been framed keeping in view the key pollution sources in Delhi
and the NCR region.
While the major sources of pollution, including vehicles, road dust, biomass
burning, construction, power plants, and industries remain continuous throughout
all seasons, the episodic pollution from stubble burning, increase in biomass
burning, etc., varies across seasons.
During winters, the relative share of vehicles, biomass burning, MSW burning,
firecracker, stubble burning, construction, and secondary particles increase. During
summers, the influence of road dust, fly ash, vehicles, biomass burning, etc., is high
 OTHER MEASURES for Controlling Air Pollution
Focussing on pollution from waste, waste management rules on solid waste, hazardous
waste, plastic waste, biomedical waste, and e-waste have been revised and the rules
pertaining to construction and demolition waste as a major source of dust pollution was
newly notified during 2016.
Further, a ban was imposed on the burning of leaves, biomass, and MSW
Other Measures: 1. Advanced vehicle emission and fuel quality standards– BSIV from
2017 and BS-VI from 2020. 2. Plan to introduce a voluntary fleet modernization and an
old-vehicle scrappage programme in India. 3. Introducing a National Electric Mobility
Mission Plan 2020. 4. Introducing gas as an automotive fuel in many cities. 5.
Introduction and enhancement of the metro-rail and bus-based public transport systems
in selected cities. 6. Ujjawala scheme to accelerate the LPG penetration programme for
cooking in households. 7. Electrification to reduce kerosene consumption for lighting. 8.
Introducing an energy-efficiency labelling programme for energy-intensive home
appliances such as air conditioners. 9. Notifying new stringent standards for diesel
generator sets for standby power generation.
 The National Clean Air Programme
Launched on 10th January 2019
NCAP is a mid-term, five-year action plan launched in 2019. However, international
experiences and national studies indicate that significant outcome in terms of air
pollution initiatives are visible only in the long-term, and hence the programme
may be further extended to 20–25 years in the long-term after a mid-term review
of the outcomes.
It aims to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by
2024 keeping 2017 as the base year.
Under NCAP, 132 non-attainment cities (NA Cities) have been identified across the
country based on the Air Quality data from 2014-2018. The NA cities list is a
heterogeneous mix of cities of all sizes and types. (Initially 102)
The city specific action plans have been prepared which, inter-alia, include
measures for strengthening the monitoring network, reducing vehicular/industrial
emissions, increasing public awareness etc.
 The National Clean Air Programme
NCAP focuses on preparation and implementation of national level action plan,
state level action plans & city level action plans of the targeted 132 cites. Under
NCAP, Centre level Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee and
Implementation Committee has been constituted and periodic review of the
implementation progress is conducted.
Collaborative, multi-scale and cross-sectoral coordination between the relevant
central ministries, state governments and local bodies.
Mainstreaming and integrating the existing policies and programmes of the
including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and other initiatives
of Government of India in reference to climate changes.
With reference to NAPCC the main focus will be on mainstreaming the initiatives
under five national missions of NAPCC viz. National Solar Mission, National Mission
for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National
Mission for a Green India and National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
 NON-ATTAINMENT CITIES
The CPCB has identified a list of polluted cities non-conforming to national ambient
air quality standards (NAAQS) consecutively for five years.
 Smog Tower
The first functional smog tower in India at Anand Vihar, Delhi
 PRANA
A national portal for National Clean Air Program “PRANA” -the Portal for Regulation
of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities which provides all information related to
various policies / programs /schemes/activities of the stakeholders along with the
progress made towards improvement in air quality across the country.

This portal will be a platform for monitoring and feedback on all efforts made for
air quality improvement.
 Mission Innovation
It was announced at COP21 on 30 November 2015 by President Obama of the
United States on behalf of founder countries.
Mission Innovation is a global initiative catalysing a decade of action and
investment in research, development and demonstration to make clean energy
affordable, attractive and accessible for all. This will accelerate progress towards
the Paris Agreement goals and pathways to net zero.
Mission Innovation (MI) is a global initiative of 22 countries and the European
Commission (on behalf of the European Union).
Includes India
 Breakthrough Energy
Established in 2015 by Bill Gates and a coalition of private investors concerned
about the impacts of accelerating climate change, Breakthrough Energy supports
the innovations that will lead the world to net-zero emissions.
Non Governmental / Private Sector
At the COP-21 of UNFCCC in November 2015, Gates announced that a coalition of
28 high net-worth investors from ten countries had committed to the
Breakthrough Energy initiative.
 India’s NDC
1. Healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values
of conservation and moderation.
2. To adopt a climate friendly and a cleaner path than the one followed
hitherto by others at corresponding level of economic development.
3. To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by
2030 from 2005 level.
4. To achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed
capacity from nonfossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 with the
help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance
including from Green Climate Fund (GCF).
 India’s NDC for for the period 2021 to 2030
5. To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2
equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
6. To better adapt to climate change by enhancing investments in
development programmes in sectors vulnerable to climate change,
particularly agriculture, water resources, Himalayan region, coastal
regions, health and disaster management.
7. To mobilize domestic and new & additional funds from developed
countries to implement the above mitigation and adaptation actions in
view of the resource required and the resource gap.
8. To build capacities, create domestic framework and international
architecture for quick diffusion of cutting edge climate technology in
India and for joint collaborative R&D for such future technologies.
 Panchamrit, to deal with this challenge
1. India will reach its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.

2. India will meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.

3. India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from
now onwards till 2030.

4. By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45%.

5. By the year 2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero.

PM Modi proposed - One-Word Movement : LIFE...L, I, F, E, i.e.

Lifestyle For Environment
 Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
Launched by PM Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a partnership of national
governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and
financing mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions that aims to
promote the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and
disaster risks in support of sustainable development.
CDRI’s strategic priorities include: Technical Support and Capacity-building;
Research and Knowledge Management; Advocacy and Partnerships
CDRI's initial focus is on developing disaster-resilience in ecological, social, and
economic infrastructure.
Secretariat - Delhi
 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RESILIENT ISLAND STATES (IRIS)
A Dedicated initiative co-curated by Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) and CDRI partners to promote resilient, sustainable, and inclusive
infrastructure development in SIDS.
 2019 UN Climate Action Summit
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres convened
Held at the UN headquarters in New York City on 23 September 2019.
Theme - "Climate Action Summit 2019: A Race We Can Win. A Race We
Must Win.“
 2014 UN Climate Action Summit
Also Called as the Leader's Climate Summit
Held in New York on September 23, 2014
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Focus was on initiatives and actions rather than on negotiations
between countries
One of direct outcomes of the Summit was the New York Declaration on
Forests.

.
 New York Declaration on Forests
It is a voluntary and non-legally binding declaration
Declaration pledges to halve the rate of deforestation by 2020, to end it
by 2030.
Restore 150 million hectares of degraded landscapes and forestlands by
2020 and significantly increase the rate of global restoration thereafter,
which would restore at least an additional 200 million hectares by 2030.
The Declaration is endorsed by some of governments, some of the
world’s biggest companies, and influential civil society and indigenous
organizations.
Achieving these outcomes could reduce emissions by 4.5-8.8 billion tons
per year by 2030.
India – Did Not Endorse
 Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA)
PPCA is a coalition of national and subnational governments, businesses
and organisations working to advance the transition from unabated coal
power generation to clean energy.
PPCA Declaration includes a commitment to phase out coal by 2030 in
the OECD and EU, and by no later than 2050 in the rest of the world.
The Canadian and the UK governments launched PPCA at UNFCCC COP-
23, in Bonn, Germany, in November 2017.
India, china - Not Members
 United Nations Global Compact
It was announced by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1999 WEF
Address, Officially launched in NY on 26 July 2000
It is a non-binding United Nations pact to encourage businesses and
firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies,
and to report on their implementation.

The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact: are derived
from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International
Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights
at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the
United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
 The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
10 Principles are derived from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio
Declaration on Envt. and Development, and the UN Convention Against Corruption.

Human Rights: Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection
of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour: Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the
effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and
occupation.
 The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
Environment
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental
challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility;
and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly
technologies.

Anti-Corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including
extortion and bribery.
 The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Estd – 1995
HQ – Geneva
It is a CEO-led organization of over 200 international companies.
Vision 2050: Time to Transform sets a shared vision of a world in which more than
9 billion people are able to live well, within planetary boundaries, by 2050.
 The International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Launched by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through
deployment of solar energy solutions.
On the sidelines of the COP21 to UNFCCC held in Paris in 2015.
With the amendment of its Framework Agreement in 2020, all member states of
the United Nations are now eligible to join the ISA.
The ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy which aims to mobilise USD 1,000
billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030, while delivering energy
access to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions and resulting in
installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity. This would help mitigate global
solar emissions to the tune of 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 every year.
Secretariat - Gurugram, Haryana