India loses billions to air pollution: UN 

India loses billions to air pollution: UN 

Context

Article talks about the latest UNEP report titled ‘Towards a pollution-free planet

Observations

• Highest share of India in South & SE Asia: India had the highest share of welfare costs (or a loss of income from labour), of about $220 billion (about ₹1.4 trillion), in South and South-East Asia — of a combined total of $380 billion from mortality due to air pollution
• Global mortality costsprojection: The global mortality costs from outdoor air pollution are projected to rise to about $25 trillion by 2060 in the absence of more stringent measures
• Highest share of China at regional & national scale: At regional and national scale, China’s welfare costs from mortality were the highest at nearly $1 trillion followed by the Organisation for Economic Corporation and Development (OECD) countries with a combined total of $730 billion, the report added quoting a 2016 projection by the OECD
• Large number of Premature deaths: Approximately 19 million premature deaths are estimated to occur annually as a result of the way societies use natural resources and impact the environment to support production and consumption
• If consumption and production patterns continue as they are, it will seriously burden an already-polluted planet, affecting current and future generations

UNEP’s solution

UNEP called for strong high-level political commitment and engagement of the local government, civil society and other stakeholders. Report stated that,

• The responsibility is on governments, businesses, cities and local authorities, civil society and individuals around the world to commit to act to beat pollution in all its forms

What should be done to achieve a high level of political commitment?

To achieve high level political commitment in key economic sectors, there is a need to go beyond the environmental ministries and include other relevant ministries such as finance, agriculture, industry, urban, transport, energy and health

Towards a pollution free planet

Report was launched during the first Conference of Parties for the Minamata Convention, which addresses mercury issues, and ahead of the annual U.N. Environment Assembly, to be held in early December.