National Workshop on Unlocking Finance to Support Climate andClean Air Solutions in India
Date & venue: 8-9 August 2024, India Habitat Center, New Delhi
Post-event Press Release,9thAugust 2024
The National Productivity Council (NPC) in collaboration with Massive Earth Foundation andsupported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) successfully hosted a
two-day national workshop titled "Unlocking Finance to Support Climate and Clean Air
Solutions in India" at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 8-9 August 2024. This event
brought together leading experts, government officials, industry representatives and internationalorganizations to explore strategies for financing clean air initiatives and promoting sustainable
development in India.
Background
Air pollution poses significant health risks and economic burdens, costing South Asia around
10.3% of GDP in 2019. Major pollution sources include coal burning, biomass burning,transport,industrial emissions and open waste burning. Despite available solutions, inadequate financing
hampers their implementation.
Theworkshop focused on addressing this funding gap by exploring potential mechanisms, with aspecial emphasis on climate finance as a largely untapped resource. The event encouraged crosssector collaboration to drive air quality improvements, offering both health and economicbenefits.
Inaugural Session
The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan, IAS, Director
General, NPC, who emphasized the importance of productivity and sustainable development inachieving net-zero carbon emissions. The inaugural address was delivered by Mr. Mozaharul
Alam, Officer-in-Charge, UNEP India Country Office, who highlighted UNEP's efforts inpromoting clean air solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.Mr. Yu Kamei. Director, Office ofInternational Cooperation, Environmental ManagementBureau, Govt. of Japan underlined theemphasis being given by the Govt. of Japan in promoting technologies for improving air quality
in different countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership
Ms. Kakuko Yoshida Nagatani, UNEP Global coordinator for chemical and pollution action
subprogramme, informed about the partnership which aims to improve air quality across AsiaPacific region. She spoke about need to attract investments and develop roust financial models
leading to tangible improvements in air quality.
Key Discussions and Panels
Throughout the two days, various sessions focused on identifying air pollution causes,sectorspecific innovations, developing bankable projects, and understanding the diverse funding
schemes available for clean air initiatives.
1. Co-Benefits Approach: Air Pollution and Climate Changeo This session, moderated by Mr. Yoshinori Momose from Japan's Ministry of theEnvironment, emphasized the need for a co-benefits approach, integrating air
pollution and climate change strategies. The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) was
highlighted as an example of successful international cooperation.
2. Panel Discussion: Air Pollution, Its Sources, and Solutions
o Led by Mr. Shailesh Vickram Singh, Founder of Massive Earth Foundation, thepanel featured experts from the Ministry of Environment, WRI, IIT Delhi, and theagricultural sector. The discussion covered the primary sources of air pollution inIndia and potential technological and policy solutions.
3. State of Air Quality and National Clean air Programme (NCAP) in Indiao Dr. Prashant Gargava, Director, National Clean Air Programme, MoEFCC,
GoIand UNEP representatives (Valentin Foltescu and Sumit Sharma) discussed
the findings of the Air Quality Action Forum (AQAF) on Air Quality Management inIndia and the efforts being made by the Govt. of India under the National Clean Air
Programme of India to improve air quality in the country.
4. Understanding Potential Project Ideas on Climate and Clean Air Mitigationo Moderated by Dr. Shukla Pal Maitra, Director, Environment & Climate Action
Group, NPC, this session had industry representatives from various sectors, namelycement, iron and steel, pulp and paper, fertiliser,Chlor Alkali &chemicals. The focus
was on identifying feasible projects for air pollution reduction and exploring thenecessary infrastructure and technology interventions.
5. Engaging Corporate in Air Pollution and GHG Emission Mitigationo This panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Tejinder Miglani, featured corporate
leaders from Varun Beverages Limited, Mahindra Group, and NASSCOM. The
conversation revolved around how corporations can integrate environmental
initiatives into their CSR programs and policy frameworks.
6. Perspectives on Solutions for Emissions from Agricultural Crop Residue Burningo Led by Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Director, UNESCAP, this session explored sustainable
farming practices and innovative solutions for managing agricultural wastes.
Panellists included representatives from Punjab farmer unions and research
institutions on bio-fuel initiatives.

7. Data Matters – Atmospheric Environment Networko This panel discussion, moderated by Dr.Mukesh Sharma, IIT Kanpur featured
organisations from Japan who brought out the need for reliable data and the use of
low-cost sensors (LCSs) for obtaining exhaustive data for effective monitoring of airquality.
8. Unlocking Finance by Introducing Multiple Benefit Approacheso Moderated by Dr. Archana Walia, India Director, Clean Air Asia, this session
explored the financial aspects of clean air initiatives. Speakers from UNEP ( JihyunLee), WHO (Enkhtsetseg Shinee), and other organizations discussed how to create anenabling environment for securing funding.
9. Technology Solutions for Air Pollution and Climate Changeo Ms. Yumi Yasuda, Deputy Director, Ministry of the Environment, Japan,
moderated this session which highlighted the technologies available and theirapplication in South Asia. The emphasis has been on converting agro wastes intobriquets as well as other sustainable products to prevent stubble burning.
10. Donor landscape for addressing Air Pollutiono The session moderated by Mr. Vikas Arora, Chief Investment Officer,AsianVenture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)was attended by representatives from
Impact Investors Council, Desai & Associates and Vital Strategies which focussed on
donor funding available to provide innovative financing solutions to tackle climatechange issues. Financing for air pollution control is however insufficient.
11. Low Carbon Earth – Clean Air Innovation through Green Startups
o This session Moderated by Vasudha Madhavan, Founder CEO, Ostara
Advisorswent into details of Technological solutions and Investmentopportunities
for reducing air pollution as well as mitigating GHG emissions. Various successful
startup foundersand senior executives working towards decarbonisation participatedin the discussions.
12. Startups working on Air Pollution control systems
o Startups such as Strawcture, Dharaksha, ActiveBuildings&GNG Agritech& Waste
Management Private Limited, which are actively involved in developing air pollution
control solutions, showcased their products/technologies during this session.
Conclusion
The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Mihoko Nagai, First Secretary,
Embassy of Japan to India, Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India, Mr. K
D Bhardwaj, Group Head & Director (Environment& Climate Change, NPC. They
reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling air pollution and emphasized theneed for sustained investment in clean air solutions.
This workshop marked a significant step towards mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships
to combat air pollution in India. By aligning climate finance with air quality goals, India canmake substantial progress in achieving a healthier and more sustainable environment for itscitizens.