SFC Perspectives Paper Limiting the threat of environmental pollution through health-focused, systemic transformations
Air pollution affects large parts of rural and urban India, posing a significant health risk and causing over 1.5 million premature deaths annually. Our work aims to make lasting and sustainable improvements to India’s air quality by strengthening the foundations of our approach to air quality management. This involves strengthening regulatory institutions, enabling governance mechanisms for collaboration between state and non-state actors, and implementing forward-looking and ambitious policies.
Presently, we focus on three interconnected issues: enhancing the capacity of environmental regulators (pollution control boards) to address the challenges posed by an urbanising and industrializing nation, establishing a comprehensive air quality management framework and effective local and regional institutions, and integrating health considerations into all stages of air pollution policymaking.
Our publications
This also includes publications by SFC team members in their past capacities.
Sustainable Solutions to Crop Residue Burning and Air Pollution Cycle in India and Pakistan
Bhargav Krishna, Babar Shahbaz and Annanya Mahajan
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SFC Perspectives on Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Policy, Energy Transitions, and Environmental Governance and Policy
SFC
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Perspectives on Environmental Governance and Policy: Systemic transformations to limit the health burden of air pollution
Bhargav Krishna, Shibani Ghosh, Arunesh Karkun and Annanya Mahajan
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Opinions
Environmental Governance and Policy
Why closing schools does not protect children from air pollution
Arunesh Karkun and Abinaya Sarkar
28 November 2023
It absolves educational institutions and government agencies of their responsibility towards ensuring clean air while hampering learning outcomes.
Books and book chapters
Environmental Governance and Policy
Media, Politics and Environment: Analyzing Experiences from Europe and Asia
Detlef Briesen and Sarada Prasanna Das
14 June 2023
The book studies how environmental protection is embedded in the political systems by comparing industrialized countries and emerging economies. It brings froward how concrete environmental policy emerges from a complex interplay of mass media and political conflicts.
Books and book chapters
Environmental Governance and Policy
State’s Commitment to Environmental Governance in India: Struggle Between Developmental Pressure and Sustainability Challenges
Sarada Prasanna Das
14 June 2023
This chapter examines the concept and practice of environmental governance in India. It argues that balance in the environment-development trade-off is necessary to meet growth objectives and that enforcement measures do not necessarily obstruct the growth.
Journal articles
Environmental Governance and Policy
What Is Polluting Delhi’s Air? A Review from 1990 to 2022
Sarath K Guttikunda, Sai Krishna Dammalapati et al.
26 February 2023
The paper reviews the influence of Delhi’s urban growth since 1990 on pollution levels and sources and the evolution of technical, institutional, and legal measures to control emissions in the National Capital Region of Delhi.
Opinions
Environmental Governance and Policy
Anti-smog guns, sprinklers, dust suppressants: How effective are these quick-fixes to air pollution?
Abinaya Sekar and Bhargav Krishna
10 January 2023
With high water usage, questionable water quality and health risks, these methods have, at best, limited effects.
Opinions
Environmental Governance and Policy
Health as the focus of air pollution policy
Bhargav Krishna and Sagnik Dey
16 November 2022
Health must be turned into a feature and eventually a function of air pollution policy
Opinions
Environmental Governance and Policy
Three small steps can solidify Modi’s Mission LiFE—urban planning to behavioural change
Navroz K Dubash, Annanya Mahajan et al.
4 November 2022
As India takes over the G20 presidency in December, LiFE offers a platform to promote individual-led demand-side interventions on the international stage.
Opinions
Environmental Governance and Policy
The weakest link in the air pollution fight
Shibani Ghosh and Bhargav Krishna
2 November 2022
As key environmental indicators worsen across India, it is clear that State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees are falling short in meeting their statutory mandate
Opinions
Environmental Governance and Policy
For clean air, strengthen pollution control boards
Shibani Ghosh
31 October 2022
The boards were envisioned as autonomous entities, and strong political will coupled with bureaucratic support is required to realise this vision, even if it constrains the government’s (other) policy objectives.
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Projects
No Projects Found .
