In 2024, Delhi achieved notable improvements in air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping below 1,000 during winter, a significant shift from prior health emergency levels. Driven by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), stricter stubble-burning controls, and electric vehicle adoption, these gains address India’s challenge of hosting 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities. Supported by public demand and private sector efforts, India’s environmental strategies, including plastic waste reduction, aim to sustain this progress, aligning with the 2070 net-zero goal.

Delhi’s air quality, historically among the worst globally, showed progress in 2024, with the AQI improving due to targeted interventions. The NCAP, launched in 2019, addresses vehicular emissions, road dust, and construction pollution, key contributors to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels, which cause 720,000 preventable deaths over a decade, per IIT Hyderabad research. The city’s Odd-Even Regulation and a coal ban in the NCR (excluding thermal plants) reduced emissions, while regional NCAP conferences in Mumbai and Guwahati strengthened coordination. Stricter controls on stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, monitored via satellite, cut agricultural pollution, a major winter smog factor.

India’s broader air quality challenge is significant, with coal power generating 70% of electricity and lacking cleanup systems in 600 plants. The Energy Conservation Act (2022) introduced carbon trading and the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme, saving 92 million tonnes of oil equivalent. Renewable energy, particularly solar, is expanding, with India targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Mahindra Group’s solar-powered resorts and CERO recycling facility, processing 20,000 vehicles, exemplify private sector contributions. SEBI’s green bond regulations have boosted clean energy investments, supporting India’s updated NDCs for a 45% emissions intensity reduction by 2030.

Electric vehicle adoption supports air quality gains. Delhi’s replacement of CNG-powered Gramin Sewa vehicles with electric models reduces transport emissions, which account for 14% of India’s greenhouse gases. Over 12,000 EV charging stations nationwide, backed by FAME II subsidies, facilitate this shift. A 2023 Yale-CVoter survey shows 86% public support for the 2070 net-zero goal, with 55% favoring immediate emission cuts. Young voters, including 18 million first-time voters in 2024, prioritize climate issues, pushing for stronger policies, though critics note the lack of specific coal phase-out plans.

Plastic waste reduction complements air quality efforts, as burning plastics contributes to urban pollution. India generates 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste daily, with only 5% recycled, per Outlook Business. The Plastic Waste Management Rules (2021) ban single-use plastics, promoting biodegradable alternatives. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants, numbering over 110 and generating 400 MW, reduce landfill methane emissions. Community partnerships, like those under Swachh Bharat, engage waste pickers and local governments, improving waste segregation. These efforts create cleaner urban environments, supporting air quality improvements.

Public health remains a concern, with PM2.5 pollution and microplastics in air and water affecting over 50,000 particles consumed annually per person, per WHO 2016 estimates. Government campaigns like the Plastic Hackathon 2021 and eco-friendly festivals promote sustainable behaviors. Smart grid projects in Delhi and Bangalore optimize energy use, while the International Solar Alliance fosters global collaboration. Despite a 4.6% rise in fossil fuel emissions in 2024, per COP29 data, India’s renewable energy growth and policy reforms signal progress toward sustainable urban living.

Conclusion

Delhi’s 2024 air quality improvements, driven by NCAP, EV adoption, and stubble-burning controls, offer a blueprint for India’s environmental future. Supported by renewable energy expansion, plastic waste reduction, and public demand, these efforts align with the 2070 net-zero goal. Scaling infrastructure and enforcing policies will be critical to sustaining progress, ensuring cleaner air and healthier communities across India.

Source:Business Outlook