A Breath of Change: Solutions for Cleaner Air

Air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills— which comprises parts of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan—is one of the most pressing health and development challenges in South Asia. Nearly one billion people are exposed to hazardous air every day, leading to around one million premature deaths annually and shortening average life expectancy by more than three years. The economic cost is immense, with an estimated 10 percent of regional GDP lost to reduced productivity, illness, and related damages. Air pollution comes from five key sources: i) households burning solid fuels for cooking and heating; ii) industries burning fossil fuels and biomass inefficiently and without appropriate filter technology; iii) motorists using inefficient internal combustion vehicles; iv) farmers burning crop residues and inefficiently managing fertilizers and manure; and v) households and firms burning waste. Our new report, A Breath of Change: Solutions for Cleaner Air in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills, finds that a handful of actions—if taken across a range of sectors and jurisdictions—can significantly reduce pollution, improve public health, and support stronger economic growth. 00:00 Impact of air pollution across Indo Gangetic Plains & Himalayan Foothills 00:27 Ten solutions for cleaner air 00:37 Abatement measures: Reducing emissions at source 01:49 Protection measures: Role of health and education sectors 02:26 Frameworks including governance, market-based instruments & regional collaborations Learn more, Read the report: http://wrld.bg/qEtP50XVBWq ABOUT THE WORLD BANK 🌐 The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. http://www.worldbank.org