Author: Energy Review
Energy Review, Vol 6. Issue 05. 2023
Air pollution in India has been a growing concern for many years. The World Bank highlights that about 1.67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of the total deaths in the country. It is not a local problem; it is a public health emergency. Air pollution also caused economic losses of $36.8 billion, which was 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, according to the data presented by the World Bank.
Addressing India's air pollution demands a multi-pronged approach. Learning from Asian counterparts that have successfully managed air pollution in the past is also important. In this context, examples of Japan and China are especially relevant.
Japan's experience in air pollution governance in the 1970s and the implementation of efficient legal mechanisms need to be replicated as much as possible. China has also implemented the strictest actions that helped reduce Beijing's air pollution. Learning from these countries' initiatives to shape locally adaptable policy measures will be critical for India too.
-Energy Review