Land degradation as one of the mega drivers of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services has affected billions globally, resulting in rampant loss of livelihoods and accelerated distress migration. India, one of the land degradation hotspots in Asia, has also been reeling under the impacts of the ongoing climate and pandemic crises, which have seriously imperiled local livelihoods and human well-being.

The impacts of climate variability, climate change, and extreme events are visible globally and in India. The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 ranks India seventh, considering the extent to which India has been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heatwaves, etc.). The index signals that repercussions of escalating climate change are exacerbating and can no longer be ignored.

This article analyzes road transport in India to explore linkages between air pollution and climate change policies in the transportation sector. Five teams modeled five policy scenarios – fuel efficiency, electrification, alternative fuels, modal shifts, and moderation in transport demand – to explore which policy brings the largest synergetic effects in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions. The teams also modeled the comprehensive scenario which included policy measures from individual scenarios.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, with the aim to improve air-quality levels in non-attainment cities. NCAP has identified 122 non-attainment cities (cities that violate the national ambient air quality standards). Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka state, is one of the non-attainment cities. In this context, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has put forth action points for reducing the air-pollution levels in the city.

Mini-grids (MG) — the small power stations that are scaled-down versions of city power grids — are today recognised for their role in bringing reliability to power supply. They are also known for their inherent ability to utilise the abundant renewable energy (RE) present in India, and for providing a controllable and independent energy-service option to consumers. Mini-grids are crucial for creating a national-level distributed grid system too.

Growing air pollution poses a serious health risk in India. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2019, with the target to reduce particulate matter concentration level by 20-30% in several non-attainment cities in India. These non-attainment cities do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Bengaluru has been identified as one of the non-attainment cities of India under NCAP.

The Indian power ministry recently mandated periodic energy accounting to reduce electricity losses for distribution companies (DISCOMs). This move will help identify areas of high transmission and distribution (T&D) losses and theft and enable corrective action. It will also provide detailed information about electricity consumption by different consumer categories and will make DISCOM officials accountable for any losses and/or thefts falling under their purview.

Electric buses (e-buses) offer a more efficient, cleaner, and quieter alternative to the diesel buses currently run in Indian cities. The country has a target of deploying 5,595 e-buses by 2024 (sanctioned under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles scheme [FAME]).