UN report projects 20% cut in Delhi’s PM2.5 exposure by 2040 with timely action

Delhi’s PM2.5 exposure burden could fall by 20% by 2040 if the city meets current national air-quality standards on schedule from 2026, an assessment by the UN Environment Programme and Climate and Clean Air Coalition has projected.

The report, *Hidden Assets: The Economic and Health Case for Climate and Clean Air Action*, says an implementation delay of about eight years would halve that projected reduction to 10%, with greater health impacts over the period.

It identifies 25 measures intended to address climate change and air pollution together, including renewable energy, energy-efficiency improvements, cleaner cooking and heating options, and stricter vehicle-emission and efficiency norms. Institutional barriers are identified as the largest contributor to global implementation delays, accounting for about 2.4 years in a notional 15-year rollout period.

Delhi has already begun a clean-air campaign for citizens, schools and industry. The report’s projection turns on whether standards and supporting measures are put in place without the delays it describes.