A Path to Clean Air

What a serious clean air strategy for India would include, from clean energy and transport to enforcement and regional coordination, and a recap of the module.

Cleaning India’s air is possible but requires sustained effort.

Key strategies

Clean energy: renewables and cleaner power plants.
Clean cooking: LPG and electric stoves.
Transport: public transport, EVs and cleaner fuels.
Industry: emission controls and cleaner kilns.
Agriculture: alternatives to stubble burning.
Dust: paving and construction controls.
Regional airshed management.
Enforcement and accountability.

Module recap

Pollution comes from vehicles, industry, power, dust, fuels and crop burning.
PM2.5 harms health and cuts life expectancy.
Delhi’s winter smog recurs yearly.
Farmers burn stubble due to time and cost.
AQI monitoring is uneven.
NCAP targets over 130 cities.
Coal plant scrubbers were delayed and relaxed.
Emergency measures have limited effects.
Pollution lowers productivity and learning.
Beijing halved PM2.5 after 2013.
Airsheds require regional cooperation.

The clean air dividend

A city that invests in electric buses, paved roads and cleaner industry sees fewer hospital visits and more productive workers.

Thinking clean air requires stopping growth

Clean energy and technology can combine growth with cleaner air.

Key takeaways

Clean air needs action across energy, transport, industry and farming.
Regional coordination and enforcement are essential.
Clean air brings health and economic gains.
Sustained effort can work, as Beijing showed.