Air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills continues to pose significant health and economic challenges for South Asia. According to a new report, "A Breath of Change: Solutions for Cleaner Air in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills," nearly one billion people in the region are exposed daily to hazardous air, resulting in approximately one million premature deaths each year. The average life expectancy is reduced by more than three years due to poor air quality, while economic losses amount to about 10 percent of the regional GDP because of decreased productivity, illness, and related damages.
The report outlines a roadmap aimed at reducing annual average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations below 35 micrograms per cubic meter by 2035—a goal that would require cutting current levels by more than half. Building on previous research from "Striving for Clean Air" (2023), it details practical solutions for governments and stakeholders to implement at scale.
Key recommendations focus on three main areas: abatement, protection, and strong institutions with regional collaboration. Abatement targets emission reductions at their source across sectors such as clean cooking, industry, transport, agriculture, and waste management. Protection involves strengthening health and education systems to safeguard vulnerable populations during the transition period. Institutional measures emphasize market-based incentives and cooperation among countries to ensure progress is sustained.
The report also highlights the importance of four foundational elements—Information, Incentives, Institutions, and Infrastructure—to guide decisions, encourage investment in cleaner technologies, coordinate standards across jurisdictions, and support technology transitions.
Financial support for the report came from the World Bank's Resilient Asia Program. This program is funded by the UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office through Climate Action for a Resilient Asia—a flagship initiative focused on building climate resilience in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Pacific islands—and by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation as well as the Korean Green Growth Trust Fund.
According to the report: “Achieving the 35 by 35 target will save lives, strengthen economies, and help build a future where the people of the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills can breathe clean air.”
For media inquiries regarding this report, contact Mehreen Sheikh at msheikh1@worldbankgroup.org.