An estimated 6.5 million pre mature deaths in the world are linked to air pollution every year with more than half of them being reported from China and India together. India alone contributes 1.59 million deaths to this dismal statistic.
The global number will increase significantly, touching 7.5 million in 2040, unless the energy sector that emits majority of air pollutants takes greater action to curb emission, says the International Energy Agency (IEA) in its special report, released on Monday.
Referring to Delhi, the report says that the traditional use of biomass for cooking and two coal-fired power plants (Badarpur and Rajghat) are the main sources of PM2.5 emissions in Delhi.
Noting that the air pollution is the fourth largest human health risk after high blood pressure, poor diets and smoking, the IEA's World Energy Outlook (WEO) special report says the energy production and use mostly from unregulated, poorly regulated or inefficient fuel combustion are the most important man-made sources of key air pol lutant emission 85% of particulate matter and almost all of the sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. The report, highlighting links between energy , air pollution and health, says no country is immune as a staggering 80% of cities that monitor pollution levels fail to meet the air quality standards set by the WHO.
In a chapter on India -home to 11o of the world's 20 most polluted cities, the report highlights the recent measures taken by the country to curb its emission, particularly in power sector. "But these achievements are more often offset by strong growth in emissions from industry and transportation sector", the report says.
Though it notes that the number of deaths due to household air pollution (use of biomass for cooking and kerosene for lighting) at present is more than the deaths due to outdoor air pollution, the trend will reverse in 2040 as more and more people would be able to access the relatively cleaner cooking gas and electricity by then.
The IEA, an autonomous organisation, works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy to its 29 member countries. It was set up in 1974 to help these rich nations coordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil.
"Clean air is a basic human right that most of the world's population lacks", said IEA executive director FatihBirol, noting that the proven energy policies and technologies can deliver major cuts in air pollution around the world and bring health benefits, provide broader access to energy and improve sustainability
