Data-driven policies key to tackling air pollution: Experts

Speaking at the concluding session of the summit, Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, highlighted that indoor pollution is a major contributor to outdoor pollution, disproportionately affecting women’s health.

“A significant portion of chronic diseases stems from environmental risks,” Swaminathan stated. “Many people fail to recognise the extent to which pollutants like PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, black carbon and methane not only cause respiratory issues but also contribute to heart attacks, brain degeneration and diabetes.”

She stressed the importance of data in shaping effective policies, explaining that it provides insights into which interventions would have the greatest impact. “For instance, addressing stubble burning is crucial, but it has limited influence on air pollution levels in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, as it is seasonal and contributes to pollution for only a short period.”

Swaminathan also pointed out that the use of biomass for cooking is a major cause of both indoor and outdoor pollution, which has significant health implications for women. “It surprises many that 50-60 per cent of outdoor air pollution originates indoors. Women, who spend more time near open fires and smoke, suffer the most, along with their young children,” she added.

On antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Swaminathan underscored the need for a one health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. “Using data, genomics and artificial intelligence, we can identify hotspots of antimicrobial resistance and target interventions more effectively,” she said.

Addressing the broader challenges of climate change, poverty and inequality, Li Junhua, Under Secretary-General for Social and Economic Affairs at the United Nations, called for multilateral cooperation, stressing that these global issues are deeply interconnected and require collaborative solutions.

The summit, organised by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), served as a platform for policymakers and experts to discuss sustainable strategies for tackling these urgent environmental and health crises.