The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report finds New Delhi as the most polluted capital city globally in 2023, with India ranking as the third most polluted country, following Bangladesh and Pakistan closely.
India grapples with severe air quality issues, as PM2.5 concentrations exceed WHO guidelines by over 10 times. Begusarai emerges as the most polluted metropolitan area globally for 2023, according to IQAir’s report.
In 2023, India saw a slight increase in PM2.5 concentration to 54.4 μg/m3 compared to the previous year, posing significant health risks to its 1.36 billion inhabitants. The National Capital Region experienced a worrisome surge, with PM2.5 levels rising by 10% and peaking at 255 μg/m3 in November.
Avinash Chanchal, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace India, underscores the pressing environmental challenges India faces, with vehicle emissions contributing 40% of PM2.5 emissions in the capital.
“The data indicates pressing environmental challenges that India faces, posing significant health risks to its vast population. It is important for us to be able to read and analyse air pollution data on a daily basis in order to bring inclusive, sustainable solutions. It has been over two years since WHO revised its air quality standards, but despite repeated demands from various quarters India is yet to update the guidelines. Our NAAQS is outdated,” says Chanchal.
The report analyses PM2.5 data from 7,812 cities across 134 countries, regions, and territories. However, significant gaps in air quality monitoring networks persist, particularly in Africa, where a third of the population lacks access to such data.
Frank Hammes, Global CEO of IQAir, emphasizes the importance of air quality data in driving decisive action and improving air quality globally.
“A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a universal human right. In many parts of the world the lack of air quality data delays decisive action and perpetuates unnecessary human suffering. Air quality data saves lives. Where air quality is reported, action is taken, and air quality improves,” said Hammes.
The reports highlights concerning global trends in air pollution. The key findings of the 2023 World Air Quality Report by IQAir include:
- Only seven countries met the WHO’s annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m3 or less.
- Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Burkina Faso were among the top five most polluted countries, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines by more than 9 times.
- 92.5% of countries and regions analyzed exceeded the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline value.
- Africa remains the most underrepresented continent in air quality monitoring, with a third of its population lacking access to data.
- Climate conditions and transboundary haze in Southeast Asia contributed to rising PM2.5 levels.
- Central & South Asia had the top ten most polluted cities globally, with Begusarai, India, ranking as the most polluted metropolitan area.
- In the United States, Columbus, Ohio, was the most polluted major city, while Canada was the most polluted country in Northern America.
- 70% of real-time air quality data in Latin America & the Caribbean came from low-cost sensors.
- Despite increasing air quality monitoring globally, significant gaps remain, particularly in government-operated regulatory instrumentation.
- The report underscores the urgent need for local, national, and international efforts to address air pollution, expand air quality monitoring coverage, and reduce reliance on combustion as an energy source.
The report serves as a wake-up call for South Asian cities to address fossil fuel dependency, a major contributor to air pollution. Urgent action is needed to transition to clean energy, prioritize sustainable transport, and invest in renewable-powered public transit and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
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