Agenda For 2019

The governance blueprint to combat major environmental problems must be institutionalised and strictly enforced

- Chandra Bhushan

IN 2018, some major policies and programmes were unveiled in India. At the international level also, two major agreements got underway—the Rulebook for the Paris Agreement was adopted and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol came into effect on January 1, 2019. The agenda for 2019 is clear cut: we have to set up the institutional and regulatory framework to implement the major programmes and fulfil our international obligations. Here’s my list of the top environmental priorities for 2019.

National Clear Air Programme: Our piecemeal approach to tackle air pollution must give way to the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated action plan. The National Clean Air Programme, under which more than 100 cities have to develop and implement clean air plans, must be institutionalised for effective enforcement. Without strict enforcement, all the other measures will fail.