“Clearing our air needs sustained, long term efforts. This project at the CPR Initiative on Climate, Energy and Environment aims to inform and advance the discussion on Indian air quality regulation and governance. Our research and policy engagement activities aim to provide a clearer grasp of the regulations and institutions involved, the implications of scientific research on policy questions, and the priority actions needed to tackle India’s air pollution. Our research focusses on three key areas:
– Framing the problem: Air pollution is a nationwide, year-round public health crisis. Four in five Indians are exposed to air more polluted than national standards. Air pollution can be addressed only by cutting emissions at source.
– Mapping legal, regulatory and institutional opportunities in the governance framework: Any policy response to air pollution needs to be proactive and executive-led. Efforts have largely been Delhi-centric and over-reliant on the judiciary. With emissions transcending boundaries, coordinated actions across centre, state and local governments are essential.
– Identifying priorities for sectoral action: Each of the major sources need to be tackled in parallel. Sources fall under multiple government agencies, and require different policy approaches. Political economy and implementation capacity need to be central to identifying sectoral priority measures.”
