NEW DELHI: While there is no magic wand to check pollution, India can emulate the sustainable development and constant monitoring systems adopted by Japan to bring about a change, researchers at IIT Delhi say.
IIT-D has advocated the formation of a Clean Air Partnership (CAP) between India and Japan, which should have academics, government officials, scientists and other stakeholders who would constantly be in touch with Japanese officials and exchange best practices to combat pollution.
Nomesh Bolia, professor at IIT-D and co-coordinator of Centre of Excellence For Research On Clean Air, said: “The Japanese have looked at air pollution through a holistic perspective. The process started with laws, which were then implemented through a series of mechanisms and continuous monitoring of industries and sectors.”
One of their ways of combating pollution was the idea of green procurement. “Japanese government promoted the purchase of equipment with lower environmental impacts. They created a priming effect and promoted the shift in demand towards eco-friendly goods. Each fiscal year, government institutions were required to formulate a green purchasing policy, which included consideration for environmental factors.”
Japan’s waste management system was also modernised. There is a need to reach out to all sections. “Air pollution affects all and there has to be an ecosystem-based approach. There is a need to create laws for continuous waste management, and to call for a push for electric vehicles,” said Bolia.