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Presentation on
Dr. Dilip B. Boralkar Former Member Secretary, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board www.boralkar.com
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What are the surest technical options for minimizing particulate emissions from heavy duty diesels?
Advanced exhaust control or alternative fuels
Yes: pursue mitigation policies in urban air pollution No: look for incremental policy opportunities in individual sectors
Incremental Opportunities
If damage from other sources (lack of clean water, etc.) far exceeds damage from urban air pollution, then: It is not cost-effective to mount large and expensive government programs to combat urban air pollution But there are many cases where, at small incremental cost, extending sector policies can improve urban air quality Example: road widening in Hyderabad where the entire road width is paved (no unpaved shoulders)
Question 2:
Which Pollutants Should We Care About?
Pollutants should be ranked according to toxicity, ambient concentrations and exposure. Fine particulate matter is the pollutant of concern in India. A common mistake is to rank on the basis of emissions in weight based on an emissions inventory.
Emission factors are uncertain or not available. Toxicity is not taken into account. Emissions in weight are not directly proportional to ambient concentrations or exposure.
Re-examine emission factors. Poor correlation between NO2 and PM10 in Delhi in one study, but confirm data quality. Need to quantify contributions from less studied sources.
Chemical (especially carbon) analysis and finger-printing. Generating emission factors more suitable to India.
Question 4:
What Activities Do the Most Damage?
For the sources identified as significant contributors to the populations exposure to small particles, which activities do the most damage?
Examples: Which vehicle and fuel combination in the transport sector? Which fuel and process combination in cottage industries?
Question 5:
What Policy Instruments Should Be Used?
Guiding principles. Recognize economic and financial constraints and incentives, and work with, rather than against, economic incentives as much as possible. Better to have lax standards that are strictly enforced, than strict standards that are not enforced for the most part. Different sectors have objectives that are not necessarily compatiblerecognize that there are trade-offs.
Cost of implementation
Which measures would be the most cost-effective (Rs / population exposure reduced)?
Ease of enforcement
How difficult would it be to carry out the proposed measures or to enforce them?
Political feasibility
Are there strong vested interest groups that would oppose the proposed measures vigorously?
Policy Options
Economic: (differentiated) taxes, subsidies, pricing (congestion, parking) Administrative: emission, energy efficiency and fuel quality standards, restrictions on operation (factories, vehicles, parking), protection of non-polluting activities (NMT) Technological: fuel or technology mandates, traffic management
Is the impact of outdoor air pollution serious compared to the impacts from other sources? Yes No: Look for incremental opportunities
in individual sector policy
Which Pollutants Cause the Most Damage? Fine PM Does sector X contribute significantly to fine PM? Yes No: Look for incremental opportunities