Topic 3
Air quality narratives have improved over the last decade, but more work is needed to deepen and expand them to drive social and political actions for cleaner air. This working group will focus on creating a cohesive plan to build a narrative connecting mobility issues and air pollution in India, and identifying key solutions to prioritise.
Strengthening Air Quality Narratives in India: A Focus on Mobility and Pollution
A critical area where the air quality narrative needs strengthening is the connection between mobility and air pollution. The International Energy Associates estimates that 12% of India's CO2 emissions are due to road transport, of which the vast majority of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 emissions are due to heavy vehicles [1]. This working group aims to develop a cohesive strategy to enhance air quality narratives, focusing on how mobility choices impact pollution, and identifying solutions that can be prioritised to improve air quality and public health.
The Air Quality Narrative In India Has Improved In Several Ways:
- Increased Awareness: Air pollution is now recognised as a major public health issue, with government bodies, media, and civil society playing active roles in disseminating information on pollution levels and their health impacts.
- Data Availability: Real-time air quality monitoring, scientific studies, and health reports have made air quality data more accessible to the public. This has increased pressure on governments to act and has fuelled public discourse around the right to clean air.
- Policy Responses: The government's policy response, through measures such as the NCAP, vehicular emissions regulations, and local initiatives, reflects a growing commitment to addressing air pollution. However, more robust enforcement and long-term strategies are needed.
Despite these advances, air quality remains a complex issue that lacks a unified narrative linking pollution to specific sectors like transportation, waste management, and industrial emissions. The mobility sector, in particular, requires greater focus.
Mobility And Air Pollution: A Critical Nexus
Transportation is one of the leading sources of air pollution in urban India, contributing to emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Rapid urbanisation, growing vehicle ownership, and inadequate public transportation systems exacerbate the pollution problem.
To deepen and expand the air quality narrative, this working group will focus on the mobility-air pollution nexus. The goal is to create a narrative that illustrates how mobility choices directly affect air quality and public health, thereby driving social and political actions toward cleaner transportation solutions. This includes promoting:
- Sustainable Urban Mobility: Encouraging a shift from private vehicles to public transportation, walking, and cycling to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Highlighting the benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles under initiatives like FAME II to lower vehicular emissions.
- Improved Infrastructure: Emphasising the need for better public transport systems, non-motorised transport infrastructure, and electric vehicle charging stations to make clean mobility more accessible.
- Smart Traffic Management: Advocating for intelligent traffic systems to reduce congestion and emissions.
Key Solutions To Prioritise
- Policy Integration: Encourage cities and states to integrate air quality goals into urban mobility plans. For instance, non-attainment cities under NCAP should focus on reducing transportation-related emissions through cleaner public transport options and EV adoption.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Develop targeted campaigns that connect everyday mobility decisions with air quality outcomes, encouraging behavioural shifts toward public transport and non-motorised transport options.
- Investment in Public Transport: Advocate for increased investment in expanding and modernising public transport systems, which is essential for reducing reliance on private vehicles.
- Support for Electric Mobility: Promote policies that incentivise the adoption of EVs, including subsidies for electric vehicles, tax incentives for EV manufacturers, and infrastructure development like EV charging stations.
- Collaboration with Stakeholders: Engage local governments, businesses, and civil society in co-creating solutions to mobility-related air pollution. Partnerships can help implement city-wide initiatives for traffic management, vehicle emissions control, and the promotion of alternative modes of transport.
Conclusion
The air quality narrative in India must evolve to address the significant impact of transportation on pollution. This working group will focus on connecting mobility and air pollution issues to create a clear, cohesive narrative that can drive social and political actions toward cleaner air. By promoting sustainable mobility solutions, supporting electric vehicle adoption, and improving public transport, we can pave the way for cleaner, healthier cities. A well-defined narrative that links mobility choices to air quality is crucial for ensuring a strong public response and catalysing policy changes that prioritise air pollution reduction.