From Beijing to New Delhi: Adopting transformative legal frameworks for clean air governance

IF 4.7 4区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Chinese Journal of Population Resources and Environment Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-10-12 DOI:10.1016/j.cjpre.2026.08.001

Md. Ziaul Islam

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Air pollution is a formidable threat to several emerging economies, including India. This research indicates that India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards permit an annual mean fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentration of 40 μg/m³—exceeding World Health Organisation standards. This study reveals that approximately 1.5 million deaths in India annually are caused by long-term PM_2.5 exposure (95% confidence interval: 1.1 million to 1.9 million). New Delhi grapples with a grave public health crisis, with approximately 12 000 lives lost each year due to PM_2.5 exposure, accounting for 11.5% of total fatalities. On November 18, 2024, New Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) surged to an alarming 795, the highest pollution level recorded in four years. On December 30, 2024, New Delhi’s AQI was reported as 172, while Beijing’s AQI was significantly lower at 69, indicating a moderate pollution level. This study uses legal research and a literature review to critically assess the effectiveness of various legal instruments introduced in Delhi. The analysis includes comparisons with Beijing’s success and highlights a significant gap in New Delhi’s implementation of the legal framework it developed to combat pollution.

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从北京到新德里：采用变革性的清洁空气治理法律框架

空气污染对包括印度在内的几个新兴经济体构成了巨大威胁。这项研究表明，印度的国家环境空气质量标准允许年平均细颗粒物（PM2.5）浓度为40 μg/m3，超过了世界卫生组织的标准。这项研究表明，印度每年约有150万人死于长期接触PM2.5（95%置信区间：110万至190万）。新德里正在努力应对一场严重的公共卫生危机，每年约有1.2万人因接触PM2.5而丧生，占死亡总人数的11.5%。2024年11月18日，新德里的空气质量指数（AQI）飙升至惊人的795，这是四年来的最高污染水平。2024年12月30日，新德里的空气质量指数为172，而北京的空气质量指数明显较低，为69，属于中等污染水平。本研究使用法律研究和文献综述来批判性地评估在德里引入的各种法律文书的有效性。该分析包括与北京的成功进行比较，并突显出新德里在执行其为治理污染而制定的法律框架方面存在重大差距。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Chinese Journal of Population Resources and Environment ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES-

CiteScore

4.30

自引率

1.10%

发文量

791

审稿时长

79 days

期刊介绍： The Chinese Journal of Population, Resources and Environment (CJPRE) is a peer-reviewed international academic journal that publishes original research in the fields of economic, population, resource, and environment studies as they relate to sustainable development. The journal aims to address and evaluate theoretical frameworks, capability building initiatives, strategic goals, ethical values, empirical research, methodologies, and techniques in the field. CJPRE began publication in 1992 and is sponsored by the Chinese Society for Sustainable Development (CSSD), the Research Center for Sustainable Development of Shandong Province, the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21), and Shandong Normal University. The Chinese title of the journal was inscribed by the former Chinese leader, Mr. Deng Xiaoping. Initially focused on China's advances in sustainable development, CJPRE now also highlights global developments from both developed and developing countries.