Phase Down From Coal As Main Source Of Energy, Invest More In Renewables: ICMR And Lancet Report

New Delhi: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases (NIIRNCD) along with Lancet published a report on Monday (November 15) highlighting the urgent need to establish regulatory frameworks pertaining to control of air pollution at the source of its generation. “ICMR partnered with the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change to put forward the policy brief for India 2021. This report highlights how climate change affects health and the need for a timely and robust response for addressing the same,” tweeted the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Also Read: Supreme Court Orders ‘Work From Home’ Over Air Pollution In Indian Capital Delhi

Professor (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Secretary-Department of Health Research and DG-ICMR launched the Policy brief for India 2021. Dr Marina Romanello, Research Director, Lancet presented worldwide climate change and health aspects. Dr Samiran Panda, Head-ECD, ICMR presented the India Policy Brief Recommendations. The report read,

Air pollution has been recognized as a major determinant for negative health outcomes in India. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish regulatory frameworks pertaining to the control of air pollution at the source of its generation such as industrial emissions, construction sites, vehicle exhaust etc. It is also necessary to ensure the effective implementation of these regulatory measures as well.

The report further pointed out that the combustion of coal, mainly in power plants followed by industrial and household settings have resulted in an increase in premature mortality.

Therefore, India needs to urgently wean away from coal as its main source of energy and needs to invest more on renewable, cleaner and sustainable sources such as solar, wind or hydro energy, the report read.

Also Read: Delhi’s Air Quality Index Improves Marginally But Remains In ‘Very Poor’ Category

The report further said that the country needs to move away from the traditional animal husbandry practices that will contribute to the reduction of Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Since 46 per cent of all agricultural emissions in India are contributed by ruminants such as goats, sheep and cattle, India needs to move away from the traditional animal husbandry practices and invest in newer technologies that will improve animal breeding and rearing practices, use of good livestock feeds and implement proper manure management, all of which will contribute to the reduction of the GHG emissions, report read.

The report further noted that India has shown great progress in achieving the implementation of the national health emergency framework under core capacity eight of international health regulations (IHR).

However, India still needs to further invest in the preparedness of infrastructure, human resources and relevant health systems capacities such as testing and surveillance systems, the report said.

ICMR partnered with the Lancet countdown on health and climate change to put forth the policy brief for India 2021.

Also Read: Meet Earthshot Prize Winner Whose Innovation Can Address Air Pollution

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity,  that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.