Managing future air quality in megacities: A case study for Delhi

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Markus Amann - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Pallav Purohit - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Anil D. Bhanarkar - , CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Author)
  • Imrich Bertok - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Jens Borken-Kleefeld - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Janusz Cofala - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Chris Heyes - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Gregor Kiesewetter - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Zbigniew Klimont - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Jun Liu - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Dipanjali Majumdar - , CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Author)
  • Binh Nguyen - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Peter Rafaj - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Padma S. Rao - , CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Author)
  • Robert Sander - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Wolfgang Schöpp - , International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Author)
  • Anjali Srivastava - , CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Author)
  • B. Harsh Vardhan - , CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Author)

Abstract

Megacities in Asia rank high in air pollution at the global scale. In many cities, ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have been exceeding both the WHO interim targets as well as respective national air quality standards. This paper presents a systems analytical perspective on management options that could efficiently improve air quality at the urban scale, having Delhi as a case study. We employ the newly developed GAINS-City policy analysis framework, consisting of a bottom up emission calculation combined with atmospheric chemistry-transport calculation, to derive innovative insights into the current sources of pollution and their impacts on ambient PM2.5, both from emissions of primary PM as well as precursors of secondary inorganic and organic aerosols. We outline the likely future development of these sources, quantify the related ambient PM2.5 concentrations and health impacts, and explore potential policy interventions that could effectively reduce environmental pollution and resulting health impacts in the coming years. The analysis demonstrates that effective improvement of Delhi's air quality requires collaboration with neighboring States and must involve sources that are less relevant in industrialized countries. At the same time, many of the policy interventions will have multiple co-benefits on development targets in Delhi and its neighboring States. Outcomes of this study, as well as the modelling tools used herein, are applicable to other urban areas and fast growing metropolitan zones in the emerging Asian regions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)99-111
Number of pages13
JournalAtmospheric Environment
Volume161
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-5465-8559/work/150883953

Keywords

Keywords

  • Air pollution, Co-benefits, Health impacts, PM, Policy analysis, Population exposure