New global review of regulatory approaches to implement regional action released

On the occasion of the UN International Day of Clean Air for the blue sky, the Centre for Science and Environment has warned that air has no boundaries - because of this, clean air action plans that draw hard boundaries around cities for the clean-up job are failing to address the major pollution sources in the larger orbit. The National Clean Air Programme has taken on board the principle of regional air quality management.” “But there is no regulatory framework to enable multi-jurisdiction management for aligned action and to establish the upwind and downwind responsibilities of state governments to improve regional air quality. China Adopted a regional approach by delineating clusters like Jing-Jin-Ji with 28 towns including Beijing), Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta adopting the Jing-Jin-Ji air pollution management framework. This review has established that the scope of India’s NCAP needs to be expanded to go beyond the city to a larger region for an airshed approach and includes a strategy and framework for regional air quality management. Emulate the US’s “Good Neighbour” provision in its Clean Air Act for clean air action plans to account for upwind and downwind pollution.