Briefing Note: At the Crossroads

June 05, 2019

The conversation on this year’s World Environment Day is about the killer air—it has to be.

Air pollution is a health emergency in India. This conversation has to grow to make more people aware and build public and policy support for solutions. Solutions are known. But they need to be fast tracked for transformative changes.

This World Environment Day will be a lasting reminder that implementation of third-generation action is non-negotiable.

First-generation action, a decade ago, was more about immediate relief in a few cities. In Delhi, polluting industrial units were shifted out, diesel public transport moved to CNG, older vehicles were phased out and emission standards were improved incrementally, bringing temporary and partial relief.