Delhi can cut PM2.5 exposure by 20 per cent by 2040 if clean air initiatives not delayed: Report

Delhi would reduce PM25 exposure burden by 20 per cent by 2040 if it achieves current national air quality standards on schedule starting in 2026 a new report claimsThe report says that if there is a delay of about eight years the expected average global implementation delay in reaching the standards the reduction would only be 10 per cent translating into substantially greater health impacts over the periodThe report Hidden Assets The Economic and Health Case for Climate and Clean Air Action was released by the UN Environment Programme UNEP and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition CCAC on MondayThe report is the first comprehensive global economic assessment of integrated climate and cleanair actionThe document identifies 25 solutions to tackle both problems simultaneously measures that are already feasible like renewable power and energy efficiency increasing clean cooking and heating solutions and tighter vehicle emission and efficiency standardsThe annual economic benefits of implementing those measures would be equivalent to 28 per cent of global GDP in 2035 45 per cent of the global GDP in 2050 and 114 per cent of the global GDP in 2100 according to the analysisEach year of delay foregoes more than 05 per cent of global GDP in benefits equivalent to more than USD 15 trillion in combined market and nonmarket valueStrengthening enabling conditions economic social technological and institutional can bring all 25 solutions fully into place up to a decade sooner substantially boosting reductions in PM25 and ozone precursors over the 20252050 period the report saysImplementation delays of 75 to 8 years are expected globally on average with institutional barriers the single largest contributor accounting for approximately 24 years over a notional 15year implementation windowA delay of this scale roughly halves the emissions reductions achievable by 2035 it saysLucknow has the cleanest air in IndiaLucknow has topped the national rankings in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2026 in the category of cities with population of more than 10 lakh while 15 other Uttar Pradesh cities have also secured places in different categories the state government said in an official statement issued MondayLucknow scored 198 points to finish first ahead of Indore with 197 and Jabalpur with 195 the government said adding that the rankings were based on a survey conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board and the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeIn the over10lakh population category Agra finished fourth with 192 points Ghaziabad ninth with 184 Kanpur 11th with 1832 and Prayagraj 13th with 180 Meerut and Varanasi were ranked 22nd and 34th respectivelyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever