China has made significant strides in combatting air pollution over the past decade, contrasting sharply with India’s ongoing struggle with severe air quality issues. In the 30 days ending November 9, Delhi’s hazardous PM2.5 levels were, on average, 14 times higher than Beijing’s, reflecting China’s successful implementation of measures such as car restrictions and emissions controls. This resulted in a substantial 42.3% drop in air pollution between 2013 and 2021 in China.
The stark disparity in air quality is not just a health concern but also impacts India’s economy, currently the world’s fastest-growing major nation. A World Bank report estimates that India’s annual increase in fine particle pollution shaves off 0.56 percentage points from its GDP growth each year.
Despite the gravity of India’s pollution crisis, it remains conspicuously absent from the country’s climate and environmental ambitions on both the global stage and domestically. Even as a study reveals an estimated 2.18 million annual deaths due to air pollution in India, the issue remains overshadowed in the run-up to the national election.
“This is the biggest challenge that urban India faces today,” says Karthik Ganesan from the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water. China, which once grappled with crisis-level air pollution, successfully reduced it by restricting cars, reducing emissions from heavy industries, and banning new coal-fired power plants.
In contrast, Delhi continues to grapple with heavy air pollution, impacting the health of its 1.4 billion residents and hindering economic growth. Efforts to address the issue have been made, including the launch of the National Clean Air Programme in 2019. While some progress has been seen at the local level, further improvements require more sweeping changes, such as reducing the number of vehicles on Delhi’s streets and altering farming practices.
The tragic acceptance of the constant exposure to toxic air by many New Delhi residents contributes to the pollution crisis not featuring prominently in national politics. Despite calls for urgent action, other issues like unemployment, corruption, and political agendas dominate the political discourse leading up to the upcoming election.
In conclusion, China’s success in addressing air pollution stands in stark contrast to India’s ongoing struggle, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard public health and sustain economic growth.
