Discussions at COP 29, Terming Public Health Emergency of Delhi’s Worsening Air Quality

Caught in a thick cloud of smog, the air pollution crisis in Delhi has emerged as a key concern at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

As Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed above 500 and reached dangerous levels, the situation has captured worldwide attention, spotlighting the public health crisis that is unfolding in the heart of India.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has initiated Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), implementing stringent measures such as a ban on truck entry and halting construction at public projects. However, these local steps seem inadequate for a problem with widespread implications.

During a press conference at COP29, Aarti Khosla, the Director of Climate Trends, highlighted the severe effects of Delhi’s pollution. “No single cause is entirely to blame,” she stated. “Fossil fuel emissions, black carbon, agricultural fires, and the lack of wind during a La Niña year all play a role,” she added. Stressing the importance of comprehensive solutions, Khosla cautioned that inaction on climate could endanger millions of lives.

The health consequences of air pollution were pointed out by Dr. Joe Vipond, who served as the former president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. He mentioned that air pollution leads to 78 million premature deaths each year.

The 2024 State of Global Air report revealed that in 2021 alone, air pollution took the lives of 8.1 million people worldwide, including 2.1 million in India.

Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, the Executive Director of Malaysia’s Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, emphasized that Delhi’s toxic air is not merely an environmental problem but a public health emergency. She further noted that across South and Southeast Asia, millions of people are exposed to polluted air due to reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a global health crisis.

The Indo-Gangetic Airshed, shared by nations such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, faces similar challenges.

Naresh Pal Gangwar, the joint secretary in India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, called for regional collaboration, especially with Pakistan and Bangladesh, to tackle cross-border air pollution. Pakistani officials echoed these calls, advocating for climate diplomacy to address common issues.

Naresh Pal Gangwar, joint secretary in India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, urged regional cooperation, particularly with Pakistan and Bangladesh, to tackle cross-border air pollution. Pakistani officials echoed these calls, advocating for climate diplomacy to address shared challenges.

Dr. Arvind Kumar, the founder of Lung Care Foundation, described polluted air as an “invisible killer,” linking it to conditions like asthma, lung cancer, and cognitive decline. With discussions on Health Day kicking off at COP29, experts are pushing for bold global targets to phase out fossil fuels, redirect harmful subsidies, and invest in renewable energy.

The influence of the fossil fuel industry in climate negotiations has been likened to that of the tobacco industry in public health.

Health leaders at COP29 are demanding reforms that prioritize human health over corporate profits, underscoring the critical need for collective action to address the twin crises of air pollution and climate change.