20% cleaner air by 2040? UN report points to what could make it possible

Delhi could reduce its PM2.5 exposure burden by 20 per cent by 2040 if India meets its current national air quality standards as scheduled from 2026, according to a new UN report cited by NDTV.

However, an estimated global delay of around eight years in implementing the standards could cut the reduction to 10 per cent, increasing the health burden associated with prolonged exposure to air pollution.

Delays could sharply reduce gains

The findings come from 'Hidden Assets: The Economic and Health Case for Climate and Clean Air Action', released on Monday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

The report is described as the first comprehensive global economic assessment of measures that address climate change and air pollution together. It identifies 25 solutions that can tackle both challenges, including renewable energy, greater energy efficiency, cleaner cooking and heating options, and stricter vehicle emission and efficiency standards.

The report warns that delays in putting these measures into effect could significantly reduce their benefits.

"Strengthening enabling conditions—economic, social, technological and institutional—can bring all 25 solutions fully into place up to a decade sooner, substantially boosting reductions in PM2.5 and ozone precursors over the 2025-2050 period," the report says.

Clean air action could bring major economic gains

According to the assessment, implementing the identified measures could generate annual economic benefits equivalent to 2.8 per cent of global GDP in 2035. The figure could rise to 4.5 per cent in 2050 and 11.4 per cent by 2100.

The report estimates that every year of delay means giving up more than 0.5 per cent of global GDP in potential benefits, representing over USD 1.5 trillion in combined market and non-market value.

Institutional barriers remain a key challenge

Globally, implementation is expected to be delayed by an average of 7.5 to eight years. Institutional barriers are identified as the biggest contributor, accounting for about 2.4 years over a notional 15-year implementation period.

"A delay of this scale roughly halves the emissions reductions achievable by 2035," the report says.

For Delhi, the findings underline the potential difference between timely implementation of air quality measures and prolonged delays in achieving pollution-control targets.