COP29 Experts urge India to address short-lived pollutants, such as methane and black carbon, at the COP29 climate summit. In New Delhi, where the air quality recently hit a “severe” level with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 418, these pollutants significantly contribute to global warming and air pollution, presenting a severe health concern. COP29 experts urge India to address short-lived pollutants, and they believe concentrating on SLCP reduction could have immediate cooling impacts as global temperatures approach the crucial 1.5°C limit, buying time to address longer-term CO₂ emissions.

Given that they are to blame for almost half of the present warming, Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD), highlighted the potential of SLCPs in addressing climate change. According to Zaelke, India may help halt the rise in global temperatures and reap immediate climate benefits by lowering SLCPs. With effects on agriculture, informal labor, and changing rainfall patterns that interfere with crop cycles, SLCPs pose a direct danger to India’s economic stability and food security, according to Zerin Osho, Director of IGSD’s India Programme.

Market-Based and Air Shed Methods for Efficient Mitigation

India’s air quality problems are not limited to urban areas because Delhi’s haze levels are frequently worsened by pollution from nearby industrial areas. Instead of addressing pollution through discrete state regulations, Osho promoted an “air shed approach” that addresses pollution across regions with similar weather patterns. She maintained that coordinating policies across states might improve air quality throughout northern India and strengthen SLCP control.

Initiatives like India’s LED bulb program, which reduced prices through bulk purchases and sparked the broad adoption of energy-efficient technologies, have demonstrated the effectiveness of financing SLCP mitigation. Osho suggested that India employ comparable tactics to advance eco-friendly technologies such as energy-efficient air conditioners, cleaner cookstoves, and electric buses. India’s dedication is demonstrated by its proactive approach to lowering hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through the Kigali Amendment, particularly in the air conditioning industry. Being the only developing country with such a focused plan, India’s groundbreaking “India Cooling Action Plan” intends to cut cooling-related emissions, which is a noteworthy accomplishment.

India’s SLCP Strategy: A Path to Global Influence and Climate Resilience

Osho expressed concern that despite these achievements, India’s efforts on SLCPs are frequently disregarded internationally. India might gain worldwide support and increase its influence if it were given more prominence at events like COP29. With $2 billion set aside for SLCP mitigation, India has a clear chance to obtain grants and advantageous financing to advance its efforts as climate adaptation finance talks continue.

Osho suggested using the India Carbon Market, which might include a distinct methane market, as part of a more comprehensive strategy. Methane mitigation projects would appeal more to investors if methane reductions were traded at their full 20-year global warming potential (GWP), increasing financial returns. Recent activities in India provide a viable paradigm for managing SLCP, such as adding organic waste to cattle feed to lower methane emissions. For instance, a pilot project in Agra showed advantages for waste management and methane reduction by using pumpkin waste as calf feed. By extending these initiatives across the country, India may establish itself as a pioneer in SLCP reduction at a reasonable cost.

Like the previous U.S.-China partnership on SLCP reduction, India’s accomplishments in SLCP mitigation may inspire international SLCP management agreements. Increased efforts to obtain funding and a more robust Indian representation in SLCP talks at international forums could spur additional advancements in climate action. India can improve its climate resilience, lower air pollution, and significantly contribute to the global climate goals by giving SLCPs priority.

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