Environmental Justice Into Air Quality Management
Context:
Toxic air poses a public health crisis in India, where vulnerable groups—children, women, the elderly, and marginalised communities—face the greatest risks. Pollution policies often neglect these vulnerabilities, worsening social injustices and leaving affected populations inadequately protected.
About Environmental Justice:
- Environmental justice essentially means that everyone—regardless of race, colour, national origin, or income—has the right to the same environmental protections and benefits, as well as meaningful involvement in the policies that shape their communities.
- Environmental justice, rooted in 1980s U.S. grassroots movements against pollution in marginalised communities, is essential for India to ensure clean air for all, not just the privileged.
- Global Progress: Notable advancements in integrating environmental justice into air quality management have occurred, particularly in the Global North and the U.S., where vulnerabilities of lower socioeconomic populations have been acknowledged.
Case Study of Environment Injustice
The 2020 Mahul-Ambapada case in Mumbai and the Baghjan oilfield disaster in Assam highlight the severe injustices faced by marginalised communities in India due to environmental policies.
In Mahul, thousands were relocated to an industrial zone from informal settlements under a rehabilitation scheme, only to confront air pollution filled with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), compromising their health and well-being.
Similarly, the Baghjan disaster resulted in a gas blowout that displaced indigenous communities. Despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) rulings for reparations, the repercussions continue to disproportionately affect politically disempowered groups,
Challenges in Current Model:
- Focus on Technological Solution :Air pollution policies in India and globally primarily focus on technological solutions, neglecting the unequal exposure faced by vulnerable groups. Policymakers must also address the social and economic factors that worsen these disparities.
- Lack of Community/People Centric Approach: Air pollution policies must be people-centric, focusing not only on improving ambient air quality but also on exposure risks for vulnerable groups.
- While the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in India is a positive step, it lacks a community-centric approach to address unique health risks in pollution hotspots.
- Lack of Localised Data: Informal settlements and industrial zones often lack air quality monitoring, creating blind spots.
Recommendations to Address Environmental Justice:
- The report “Air Quality and Vulnerable Groups: An Agenda for Inclusive and Just Action” by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment emphasises placing equity at the core of environmental action.
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- Air pollution policy must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to prioritise vulnerable communities, integrating socioeconomic factors and environmental justice into air quality management and regulation.
- Use of Sensor Networks: Expand low-cost air quality sensors to provide real-time data in schools, hospitals, and neighbourhoods.
- Hyperlocal Action Plans: Cities should create tailored plans targeting pollution hotspots, addressing specific challenges in high-risk areas like industrial zones and congested highways.
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Community Participation:
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- Citizen Science Initiatives: Empower communities to monitor air quality, raising awareness and accountability.
- Engagement in Policy-making: Ensure affected populations have a voice in health-impacting policies.
- Reform Industrial Relocation and Zoning Policies:
- Safeguards Against Pollution Shifts: Prevent relocating industries to vulnerable areas without adequate measures.
- Investment in Cleaner Technologies: Enforce stricter emissions standards to mitigate health impacts.
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