Clean-air interventions could dramatically ease the health and economic burden of pollution for nearly one billion people across South Asia, as the region continues to struggle with some of the world’s most severe air-quality challenges, according to a new World Bank report.
The study said polluted air in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills contributes to about one million premature deaths every year, while productivity losses linked to poor air quality are estimated at close to 10 per cent of the region’s combined gross domestic product, the World Bank said in a statement.
Covering parts of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, the region is home to nearly one billion people who are regularly exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, making it a critical focus for coordinated regional action.
The report, A Breath of Change: Solutions for Cleaner Air in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills, said meaningful improvements are possible if governments pursue a limited set of well-targeted actions across multiple sectors and jurisdictions.
It pointed to five major sources driving pollution across the region: household reliance on solid fuels for cooking and heating, inefficient industrial use of fossil fuels and biomass without adequate emission controls, growing emissions from internal combustion vehicles, harmful agricultural practices including crop residue burning and poor fertiliser and manure management, and the widespread burning of waste.
The report outlined several solutions that can be adopted and expanded at scale, including a shift to electric cooking, electrification and upgrading of industrial boilers, furnaces and kilns, wider use of non-motorised and electric transport, improved management of crop residues and livestock waste, and stronger systems for waste segregation, recycling and safe disposal.
Clean-air actions were grouped into three interconnected pillars, beginning with abatement measures that directly reduce emissions at their source across households, industry, transport, agriculture and waste management.
The second pillar emphasises protection measures to strengthen health and education systems so that children and vulnerable communities are better protected during the transition to cleaner air.
The third pillar highlights the need for capable institutions, backed by clear regulation, market-based tools and regional coordination, to sustain long-term progress across sectors and borders.
“The report demonstrates that practical, coordinated and evidence-based solutions are achievable and can deliver large health and economic benefits,” said World Bank Senior Environmental Economist Martin Heger.
He said strong financial and economic incentives already exist for households, farmers and businesses in South Asia to adopt cleaner technologies and practices, with government support playing a key enabling role.
To support implementation, the report introduced the “Four I’s” approach, focusing on information for sound planning and accountability, incentives to encourage cleaner choices, institutions to coordinate and enforce action, and infrastructure to support clean energy, transport and waste systems.
World Bank Practice Manager for Environment South Asia Ann Jeannette Glauber said cleaner air would require sustained financing, strong implementation capacity and continued collaboration at local, national and regional levels.
She said collective action by governments could significantly reduce pollution, save millions of lives and deliver lasting improvements in air quality across South Asia.
