The Unwanted Guest Visits Again! Can Delhi Escape It Through Industrial Decarbonization?

Bryan Johnson, an American entrepreneur, recently visited India and put an unexpected spotlight on Delhi’s unwanted winter guest—its choking smog. In his tweet, he didn’t show monuments or markets but highlighted a grim reality: Delhi’s hospitality industry now markets clean air as a feature. 

Yes, you read that right—clean air, served on a platter!

This paints a picture of life in Delhi, where breathing feels like an endurance test. Just look at the numbers. Particulate matter (PM10) levels stand at 115 micrograms per cubic meter. It’s as if the city itself is grasped by its throat, struggling for breath.

At the start of December, the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a staggering 285, categorized as unhealthy. In response, India’s apex court called for immediate implementation of GRAP-4 (Grade Response Action Plan). The effort did bring some relief, nudging the AQI down to 239 . 

:

But let’s not kid ourselves—moderately polluted is no victory lap. 

So, who’s really to blame? Is it the farmers, cornered into burning their fields? The unchecked urban population? The policymakers who keep kicking the can down the road? 

Understanding Delhi’s Pollution Problem: The Causes and the Cost

Delhi's pollution is driven by many sources. These include stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution. 

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air(CREA), Thermal Power plants in Delhi NCR region emit 16 times more air pollutants than stubble burning. 

“A comparison between NCR thermal power plant emissions and paddy straw burning emissions in Punjab and Haryana highlights the scale of SO₂ pollution. Thermal power plants in NCR emit 281 kilotonnes of SO₂ annually—16 times more than the 17.8 kilotonnes emitted by burning 8.9 million tonnes of paddy straw,” CREA states.

“Five power plants in Delhi-NCR were shut last year during the winter on account of their the impact on pollution... Ironically, the same defaulting stations have been granted extension... This ad hoc approach towards air pollution control and public health needs to stop, and strict action, shutdowns and higher penalties need to be issued to non-complying power stations,” said Sunil Dahiya, analyst, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

While all contribute significantly, Industries play a major year-round role. According to a study, Industrial sources account for 12% of total air pollution. Industries add to 52% of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and 90% of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions in Delhi, according to a study by IIT-Kanpur. These are the main culprits that contribute to smog, acid rain, and respiratory diseases.

Their impact is far-reaching. From 2016 to 2018, 22,253 people in Delhi were treated for respiratory diseases. Poor air quality harms public health and burdens the economy. This leads to rising healthcare costs, lower worker productivity, and reduced economic output. 

Annually, air pollution in Delhi is linked to approximately 12,000 deaths, accounting for 11.5% of the city's total fatalities. Over 57% of these deaths are attributed to cardiovascular issues, driven by PM2.5 particles into the bloodstream, which can trigger strokes, heart attacks, and inflammation.

With such dire consequences, could the solution to this crisis lie in pushing the pedal on decarbonization?

What is Decarbonization?

In simple words, Decarbonization is the process of reducing carbon emissions. Especially CO₂, which is a major contributor to global warming and air pollution. This process involves moving away from fossil fuels and embracing cleaner energy sources such as solar power. On the whole, decarbonization can reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.

Looking at Denmark and Sweden shows how this works in practice. Denmark produces nearly 50% of its electricity from wind power and aims to be fossil-free by 2030. On the other hand, the key to Sweden's success is the early adoption of a carbon tax in 1991. It generates over half of its energy from renewables and has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the EU. These countries show that decarbonization isn’t just good for the environment. It's also a win for business and innovation.

Delhi should also build on similar premises. Solar energy could play the same role for Delhi as wind power does for Denmark and bioenergy for Sweden. Delhi’s Industries are among the biggest contributors to pollution. By transitioning to solar energy, they could significantly cut their emissions.

What Decarbonization Could Do for Delhi?

What happens when industries move toward decarbonization in a city like Delhi?

Switching to solar energy could cut Delhi’s carbon emissions by up to 85%. This could be a game-changer for the city's air quality.

Right now, there are 12 Thermal Power Plants within a 300 km radius of Delhi. Despite warnings to switch to green technologies, only two have taken measures. Imagine the impact if all were replaced with solar power!  

Out of 35 operational units across 12 plants, only six have installed FGD or dry solvent injection (DSI) technology. That leaves 29 units with zero control measures for SO2 emissions.

Here’s the catch: back in 2015, the environment ministry set a deadline for all units to adopt clean technology by 2017. That got pushed to December 2019, but guess what? Only two units near Delhi managed to meet it. The rest are still playing catch-up.

 Imagine the impact if all were replaced with solar power!  

NOx and SO2 concentrations, the harmful pollutants we’re all breathing, would drop. It’s time for industries in Delhi to take action, ditch coal, and embrace solar.

We Should Not Wait Till 2070

India has set an ambitious decarbonization goal, with a Net Zero target by 2070. The urgency of Delhi’s pollution problem calls for milestone timelines. Instead of focusing on discussion, it is high time that we did something about it.

Here’s how the Industrial sector can play a key role:

2030: By 2030, Delhi’s industries and businesses should aim to reduce emissions by 30%. They can do this by switching to solar power, and using electric vehicles.

2040: By 2040, Delhi should aim for a 50-60% reduction in industrial emissions. To reach this target, industries will need to improve energy storage options. They should also work closely with government programs. Government support, such as tax incentives for solar installations, can also help speed up this transition.

Net Zero by 2070: While this remains the long-term goal, reaching intermediate milestones ensures the gradual transition to renewable energy.

Though these plans may seem ambitious in the current smog-covered environment, they are the only path to clear skies. Without addressing these plans, the dream of achieving Net Zero by 2070 will remain just a dream.

You Are the Inflection Point!

As business leaders and decision-makers, the time to act is now. Here’s how you can start reducing emissions in your operations:

Crosscutting Decarbonization: Use electrification, hydrogen, and advanced materials across industries. It’s about reducing emissions everywhere.

Decarbonizing End-Use Energy: Switch to renewables and improve energy efficiency. Small changes make a big difference.

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Capture CO2 before it escapes. Store it underground or repurpose it.

Decarbonizing Industrial Feedstocks: Use raw materials with lower carbon footprints. It’s time to rethink the basics.

Decarbonizing Industrial Processes: Innovate to cut emissions from manufacturing and production.

You can also take help from this image to know more about what you can do.

By taking these steps, industries can make an attempt to decarbonize themselves and create a healthier environment. The time to act is now—let’s move toward a cleaner, greener Delhi by 2030.

The city deserves to breathe easier and so do you!

If the choking smog has impacted your daily life or if you’re passionate about finding solutions, we want to hear from you!

What’s your take?

• How do you think industries and policymakers can make a difference?
• What steps are you taking to combat pollution in your community?

Share your insights and ideas in the comments below—because tackling Delhi's pollution starts with a collective voice!