‘Cleaner Air Better Life Pune’ initiative to improve air quality in the Pune city

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) launched the ‘Cleaner Air Better Life (CABL) Pune’ initiative in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation.

In partnership with the Pune Municipal Corporation, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has introduced the ‘Cleaner Air Better Life (CABL) Pune’ initiative. This endeavour is a significant stride towards fostering a cleaner environment and sustainable progress in Pune. The initiative will adopt a collaborative, evidence-driven approach involving various stakeholders to facilitate implementation of the National Clean Air Programme effectively.

According to a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, most Indian cities fall short of meeting the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The fiscal year 2021-22 witnessed just 38 out of 131 Indian cities achieving their annual pollution reduction objectives. This scenario underscores the urgent need for dedicated efforts and immediate measures to combat the pressing issue of air pollution.

Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and CEO of Cummins Inc., said, “At Cummins, we cannot achieve our mission of making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world without doing our part to protect the planet. The launch of the ‘Cleaner Air Better Life’ (CABL) Pune programme reflects that and symbolizes a defining moment in our collective efforts toward creating a more sustainable world with cleaner air and a better quality of life for our people and communities.”

A platform for collaboration involving multiple stakeholders will be established within the framework of CABL Pune. This inclusive coalition will comprise public entities, educational establishments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses. Through joint endeavours, the initiative will evaluate the efficiency and economic nature of interventions, pinpoint obstacles in transportation, and implement advanced and intelligent strategies to tackle diverse origins of air pollution.

Ashwath Ram, Chairman of CII Cleaner Air Better Life initiative and Co-Convener of Cleaner Air Better Life Pune, said, “CII’s ‘Cleaner Air Better Life’ (CABL) national initiative unites diverse stakeholders and changemakers on a common platform, committed to elevating air quality nationwide. We are delighted to bring the CABL program to Pune to improve air quality and create a healthier environment for its citizens. We are confident that Pune will lead all National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities in India.”

Highlighting the way Pune has emerged as a frontrunner in implementing innovative clean air solutions, Mr. Vikram Kumar, Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation and Co-Convener, Cleaner Air Better Life Pune, said, “The Cleaner Air Better Life Pune is a significant milestone that brings together the collective strength of the government and the private sector to combat air pollution. This convergence of efforts will help us devise data-driven strategies that yield tangible results in air quality improvement.”

Ms. Seema Arora, Deputy Director General at CII, noted that “CII Cleaner Air Better Life will leverage its own expertise and multi-stakeholder structure to leverage resources within CII’s wide network of partners and members for practical works to improve air quality while working with the Governments to create an ecosystem where early-stage ideas could be put to the test at street level and scientifically validated ideas get tried for citywide adoption.”

The initiative is set to provide state-of-the-art decision-making tools and pioneering pilot projects. It will actively encourage stakeholders to make voluntary commitments to diminish air pollution, influence adherence to current regulations, and amplify efforts to advocate for updated policies.

The program will deliver cutting-edge decision-support systems and innovative pilots. It will actively drive voluntary commitments from stakeholders toward reducing air pollution, influencing adherence to existing policies, and scaling advocacy for newer policies.