Carbon Credit System to Help Reduce Pollution: A Quiet Solution; US and UK Have Already Applied It

Delhi and other major cities in India are grappling with severe air pollution, which is causing significant damage to the country’s economy. In such a scenario, developed nations have been encouraging conservation efforts, and India should consider adopting the carbon credit system. This system could provide a quieter, more efficient solution to the pollution problem.

Focusing on Carbon Credits to Combat Pollution

By: Avinash Chandra, New Delhi
Delhi has been consistently ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world for several years. This is not a good sign for a country emerging as an economic powerhouse. Despite numerous claims, pollution continues to worsen every year.

Increasing Dangerously High Pollution Days
In winter, the number of “very dangerous” pollution days is on the rise. During such days, schools and offices are shut down, and construction work is halted. Other cities in India are facing similar conditions. It is estimated that pollution is causing an annual loss of about $100 billion to India’s economy. The impact of pollution on health and labor productivity may push this figure even higher.

Understanding the Causes
The key question is: Is there no solution to pollution, or are the government’s efforts insufficient? To answer this, we must first identify the causes. Geography, population density, stubble burning, urbanization, and smoke from vehicles and factories are considered major contributors. Almost all developed nations have gone through these challenges during their development processes. Today, countries like the US, Canada, and the UK are regarded as some of the cleanest in the world. In the 1980s, the US and Canada experienced acid rain, which posed a threat to plants, wildlife, and ecosystems. London’s River Thames was once declared “dead.”

Setting a Global Example
Countries like the US, Canada, and the UK not only imposed restrictions on economic and development activities but also encouraged individuals and organizations involved in conservation efforts. They implemented a system of tradable carbon credits. The policy was to ensure that emissions of pollutants would not exceed 100,000 tons annually. For example, if a country had 1,000 factories, they were given a carbon emission allowance ranging from 10 to 100 tons based on the factory size (small, medium, or large). Factories exceeding this limit were penalized heavily. Factories were allowed to save their emissions quota and transfer it to others. Additionally, ordinary citizens were given the opportunity to plant trees and sell the carbon credits.

Addressing Sentiments
In Delhi, restrictions on tandoors, coal-based presses, and other such measures to reduce pollution hurt the sentiments of poorer communities. They feel that the main causes of pollution are the ongoing construction of buildings, factories running day and night, and the increasing number of vehicles. However, the actions taken often target their means of livelihood. If a carbon credit system is implemented, the issue could be resolved without much noise and with minimal disruption to daily life.