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Hidden Pollution: India's Unmitigated Fuel Use Exposed
2 Jul
Summary
- Unmitigated fuel use is a major overlooked air pollution source.
- Ludhiana and Varanasi see over 50% of PM2.5 from unmitigated sources.
- Most emissions (65-70%) originate outside city boundaries.
Unmitigated fuel use significantly contributes to air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, according to a new study. This refers to burning fuel without adequate pollution control devices.
In Ludhiana, 54% of its 21,000 tonnes of annual PM2.5 emissions are unmitigated, while Varanasi sees 62% of its 14,000 tonnes from such sources. A substantial 65-70% of PM2.5 emissions originate beyond city boundaries.
Targeted interventions could drastically improve air quality. An ambitious plan extending to 2035 could cut PM2.5 emissions by 60-70% in both districts.
This research offers a new framework for identifying hidden emissions, crucial for India's National Clean Air Programme and future air quality management. It emphasizes incorporating mitigation status into emission estimations and planning.
