Clean Air Catalyst and Local Leaders Come Together to Launch Indore Clean Air Coalition

*Source: Raju Pawar | Clean Air Catalyst*

By Derek Schwabe, August 06, 2024

What’s new? Last week, on July 31st, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Clean Air Catalyst launched the Indore Clean Air Coalition. This cross-sector collaborative is set to help Indore residents breathe cleaner air by promoting sustainable and equitable transportation solutions throughout the city.

The coalition, comprising stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and academia, aims to raise awareness about pollution sources and their health impacts while amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. By leveraging collective influence, the coalition will support the city’s implementation of tangible solutions that will lead to air quality improvements.

What they’re saying:

At the inaugural event, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav highlighted the significance of this collaborative effort, emphasizing its role in realizing a cleaner and healthier Indore. Similarly, IMC Commissioner Shivam Verma underscored the municipality’s firm commitment to enhancing air quality through innovative solutions supported by the coalition’s resources and expertise.
USAID’s Acting Mission Director, Warren Harrity, emphasized the critical role of cities in addressing global health and climate challenges. He affirmed USAID’s support for local initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and pollutants, crucial for improving health and environmental conditions in Indore.
Dr. Prakash Doraiswamy from WRI India echoed these sentiments, noting the coalition’s potential to achieve substantial progress through scientific expertise and community engagement. He emphasized the coalition’s role in fostering a cleaner environment for all residents of Indore.
Kaushik Raj Hazarika, the Catalyst Project Lead, highlighted the coalition’s commitment to actionable change, citing its role as a platform for sharing successful strategies and fostering tailored solutions. The coalition’s inclusive approach, engaging local stakeholders and experts, underscores its potential to make a lasting impact on Indore’s air quality.

Go deeper: Air pollution remains a pressing issue in Indore, contributing significantly to health concerns such as asthma and premature mortality. The coalition’s focus on innovative measures like low emission zones, enhanced public transport, and effective dust management aims to tackle these challenges head-on.

The launch event featured discussions on priority action items and showcased successful initiatives from other cities, offering practical insights for Indore’s air quality improvement strategy. The coalition’s structured approach, outlined during the event, emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and community involvement as key pillars of its mission.

What’s next? Moving forward, the coalition is poised to lead transformative change in air quality management. By harnessing local expertise and global support, the coalition aims to create a healthier and sustainable future for Indore, setting a precedent for cities worldwide.

Follow this blog and the Clean Air Catalyst X account for more updates on the coalition’s progress and its impact on Indore’s air. Together, we can pave the way for cleaner air and a healthier, more livable Indore for all residents.