Uttar Pradesh largest emitter of PM2.5: CEEW

Uttar Pradesh largest emitter of PM2.5: CEEW

Part of: Prelims and GS III – Pollution 

Context According to an analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Uttar Pradesh is the largest emitter of PM2.5, the class of particulate matter considered most harmful to health.

Key takeaways 

• The high emissions from U.P. were largely due to a significant share of PM2.5 emissions from solid-fuel use in households and, by virtue of being India’s most populous State, it had a higher proportion of households relying on this form of fuel.
• Other top polluters: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan
• Common pollutants that were analysed: PM2.5, PM10, NOx (nitrous oxides), SO2 (sulphur dioxide), CO (carbon monoxide), NH3 (ammonia), and NMVOC (non-methane volatile organic compounds).

Indian Government’s initiatives

• The Government of India has launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008 outlining eight National Missions on climate change. These include:
  • National Solar Mission: To establish India as a global leader in solar energy by creating the policy conditions for its deployment across the country
  • National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency: To promote the market for energy efficiency by fostering innovative policies and effective market instruments.
  • National Mission on Sustainable Habitat: To promote understanding of climate change, its adaptation and mitigation, energy efficiency and natural resource conservation.
  • National Water Mission: Conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution
  • National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem: To develop a sustainable National capacity to continuously assess the health status of the Himalayan Ecosystem
  • National Mission for a Green India: Protecting; restoring and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover
  • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: Enhancing agricultural productivity especially in rainfed areas focusing on integrated farming, water use efficiency, soil health management and synergizing resource conservation
  • National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change: To build a vibrant and dynamic knowledge system that would inform and support national action for responding effectively to the objective of ecologically