India has some of the most polluted cities in the world. Rising air pollution is taking a heavy toll on the health and productivity of citizens. With recent studies pegging the death toll due to air pollution at 9 million, we need urgent, effective solutions.
At CSTEP, we are working with state pollution control agencies and the Central Pollution Control Board to scientifically identify the sources of pollution for effective and targeted interventions. With the use of emerging technologies such as low-cost sensors, mobile monitoring, and satellite-based monitoring of air pollution, CSTEP is looking at ways to make data on air pollution comprehensive, robust, and accessible.
The capacity-building measures initiated by CSTEP ensure that state agencies can scientifically assess, interpret, and formulate effective strategies to check rising air pollution.
Emission inventory and pollution reduction strategies for 76 NA cities
A comprehensive study on what is polluting the air in India undertaken in 76 cities by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a research-based think tank, has found that only a few cities are on track to achieving the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targets. NCAP was launched in 2019 by the Government of India, with an aim to improve air quality in 131 cities that do not meet the national air quality standards. The research spanning 2.5 years suggests that only 8 of the studied cities will be able to achieve 40% emission reduction by 2030.
Press Release: Stubble management: Harnessing ex-situ options and market mechanisms
As we head into yet another rice harvesting season in Punjab, the search for effective solutions to manage stubble continues. In 2021, over 50% of the rice stubble in the region was burnt, a practice that exacerbates respiratory illnesses, depletes soil fertility, and increases air pollution across neighbouring states.