Mobile monitoring can supplement regulatory measurements, particularly in low-income countries where stationary monitoring is sparse. Here, we report results from a ~ year-long mobile monitoring campaign of on-road concentrations of black carbon (BC), ultrafine particles (UFP), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in Bengaluru, India. The study route included 150 unique kms (average: ~22 repeat measurements per monitored road segment).

Mobile monitoring provides robust measurements of air pollution. However, resource constraints often limit the number of measurements so that assessments cannot be obtained in all locations of interest. In response, surrogate measurement methodologies, such as videos and images, have been suggested. Previous studies of air pollution and images have used static images (e.g., satellite images or Google Street View images).

The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) – an annual convening of countries signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – happened in Dubai this year, with high expectations that countries would take concrete steps to address the climate crisis.

The negotiations encompassed mitigation efforts, adaptation strategies, financing mechanisms, and the role of developed versus developing nations in climate action. The summit ended with progress on certain fronts but lingering challenges on others.

India is grappling with a surge in extreme climate events causing significant losses, with a shortfall in global climate action, according to the 2023 Synthesis Report of the first Global Stocktake by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With an aim to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) and the Green Credit Programme (GCP) were launched under the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative this year. 

Most high-income countries, particularly the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have opposed the removal of ‘fossil fuel phase-out’ from the COP28 Global Stocktake (GST) text. In reality, these countries are opposing a ‘just and equitable phase-out’, wherein they would be required to lead the way in phasing out fossil fuels. These countries still rely on fossil fuels to meet most of their primary energy demands and continue to expand their oil and gas production.