Polluted air is creating a health emergency. It also takes a heavy toll on the economy – with air pollution in South Asia costing 10.3 per cent of GDP, respectively, in 2019.
Cost-effective solutions to address air pollution exist and have the potential to address the major sources of air pollution. While contribution of each source may vary depending on location, fossil fuel emissions from coal burning for power and heat, transport, industrial furnaces, brick kilns, agriculture, domestic solid fuel heating, and the unregulated burning of waste are considered the main sources of air pollution.
Despite these multiple benefits, clean air interventions and other air quality management elements have not been financed to their full potential. Based on UNEP’s analysis, a lack of resources has led to a limited uptake of measures to reduce emissions of pollutants across key economic sectors; an inability to invest in data analysis; and a lack of enforcement and implementation capacity. There were similar findings in the CERCA and UNEP 2023 Needs Assessment Report for Air Quality Management in India which found funding for implementation-focused projects to improve air quality is disproportionate to the scale of the problem. It emphasizes that financing clean air actions should be seen as an investment for health, social and economic benefits.
Promising action and innovative technology and industry solutions are on the rise to address this health and environmental risk. Engagement of the industry and private sector will be critical for innovation and transformative action. This will help shift public and private investments towards less polluting practices in high impact sectors, such as energy, industry, agriculture, transport, waste, and residential sectors. The National Productivity Council (NPC) has undertaken stakeholder consultations with industry representatives from six sectors (chlor alkaki, cement, pulp & paper, iron & steel, textile, and fertilizer) and has collected potential project ideas focusing on mitigation of air pollutant and GHG emissions.
View Concept Note & Agenda: LinkThe purpose of this workshop is to
To facilitate identifying sector specific innovation and customized solutions
To support the development of bankable projects
To understand funding schemes
To foster collaboration
Shri Gopalakrishnan is a 1991 Batch Otlicer from the Indian Administrative Services (lAS) from Tamil Nadu Cadre. He has worked at state and central government in areas such as transport, HR, commerce, census, food, lT. etc.
Dr. Memon is working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency in Asia Pacific Office located in Dubai/Bangkok.
Mr. Yu KAMEI has worked on climate change measures, waste management, fishery resources conservation, water pollution control, etc., in the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan.
Shailesh Vickram Singh is a venture capitalist / entrepreneur and is founder of Gomassive. Gomassive is sponsor of Climate Angels Fund which invest in easily stage startups solving climate change in India and USA.
Dr. Yuba, a Senior Researcher at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, has a decade of experience in air quality monitoring across East Asia. She is involved in the Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network project under EANET.
Dr. Fujii, Head of System Innovation at NIES and Visiting Professor at Nagoya and The University of Tokyo, specializes in integrated waste management, circular economy, and carbon neutrality.
Hiroki Hashimoto is the Asia Sales Representative for SIBATA with over 20 years of international sales experience. He's working towards promoting their Low Cost Sensor (LCS) technology across Asia.
Dr. Archana Walia, with nearly 30 years in climate change and clean energy, leads Clean Air Asia's India Program. She has held key roles at CLASP and USAID/India and holds a Ph.D. in environmental science.
Ms. Yoshida, Global Coordinator of Chemicals & Pollution Action at UNEP, has over 25 years of experience in environmental projects across multiple continents and has facilitated over 150 consultations in 40+ countries.
Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India with over 25 years of experience in sustainable development. He started with CARE International and is a published author and former USAID "Policy Champion."
Ms. Yumi Yasuda is an expert in international development and environmental affairs with a notable track record at UN missions, JICA, and Japan's Ministry of the Environment.
Mr. Masahiro Nochi, President of System Eng Service Co., Japan since 2021, has led VOC recovery unit installations in China, Vietnam, and Singapore and holds an Economics degree from Seikei University
Mr. Mozaharul Alam, UNEP’s Regional Coordinator for Climate Change, leads adaptation and low-carbon strategies across Asia Pacific and represents UNEP in Bhutan and Nepal.
Vikas is the Chief Impact Investing Officer at AVPN, leading strategy for climate, gender, youth, and health. With 30 years in banking, he recently earned a Post-Graduate Diploma in Organisation & Leadership for Social Change.
Mugdha Jain is the India Country Lead for the Clean Air Fund. With 20+ years in the development sector, her background includes corporate strategy, consulting, and program management. She holds degrees from BITS Pilani and IIM A.
Girish Aivalli is the CEO of Impact Investors Council (IIC). With nearly 30 years of experience in agri supply chains, banking, and development, he has led companies like Cargill, ADM, and Yes Bank.
Ms. Mikiko Tanaka is the Director and Head of ESCAP's South and South-West Asia Office, with over 25 years of UN experience. She holds master's degrees in public policy and rural development management.
Mrs. Pamela Tikku is Vice President & Head of Group Public Affairs (Auto Sector) at Mahindra & Mahindra, joining. She holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, with over 32 years of automotive industry experience.
Dr. S.K. Chaturvedi is the Joint Director & Head of Cement Research at NCB. With expertise in low-carbon cements, waste utilization, and R&D, he drives innovation and sustainability in the cement industry.
Vikas Bhatia has 34 years of finance experience, including 16 years internationally across 7 countries, he has held leadership positions with US, European, and Indian MNCs
With 26 years of experience, Manish Goswami oversees energy, environment, and safety performance at The Fertiliser Association of India. He co-authors reports and papers on energy conservation and environmental impact.
Guru Inder, CEO of Carbon Circle, creates anaerobic digestion plants for renewable natural gas. Formerly founder and COO of Amplus, focusing on renewable energy and EVs for commercial and industrial clients.
Dr. Akshay Singhal, Founder and CEO of Log9, holds a Ph.D. in nanotechnology from IIT Roorkee. A Forbes Under 30 honoree, he specializes in electric mobility and renewable energy storage in tropical regions.
Tejinderpal Miglani, Partner at Climate Angels, is a climate investor passionate about sustainable business. He advises companies on growth, co-founded Incedo, and was the founding CTO of Indiabulls Group. An active angel investor, he supports numerous ventures.
Rupsi Garg, from Tepla, Punjab, With 3 years at CCMB and 6 years at Kheti Virasat Mission, she leads TRINJAN, reviving traditional skills and empowering women through charkha spinning and handloom weaving.
Takeshi Kobayashi, has been working with HORIBA since 1994. He has developed water quality measurement products and worked in the Strategy and International Sales Offices of the Process and Environmental Segment.
Mr. Gogia is a transformational leader and sustainable energy enthusiast with experience at Battery Smart. He leverages his business acumen & technical expertise to drive innovation and growth in the EV ecosystem.
An expert in environmental policy with 22 years of experience in Asia and Africa, launched the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System. He advances low-carbon technologies and waste management at NIES Japan.
Has over 20 years of experience in investment, fund accounting, and management. Served as Director at QAI, overseeing statutory reporting and compliance. With 10+ years in business plan review and $100 million invested in 11 companies.
Yoshinori Momose oversees chemical law revisions, pollution prevention, soil recycling, and air quality. He is the Senior Planning Officer for the Joint Crediting Mechanism in the Office of International Carbon Market.
Amit Kekare is a seasoned executive leading eMobility transformation in India and the Middle East. With experience at Siemens, ABB, and Adani, he holds degrees from ISB, Rensselaer, and VJTI, and an MS in Power Electronics.
Jyoti has over 20 years in the polymer industry. Currently, she works in the Sustainability Division on polymer circularity at Reliance Industries in Delhi.
Prof. Hayashida, specializes in atmospheric sciences and satellite data analysis. She received the Horiuchi Award and led the Aakash project. She is a former president of the Remote Sensing Society of Japan.
India's first investment bank for electric mobility and climate tech. Recognized by IESA in 2023, she previously worked at Citibank and ICICI Bank. Ostara, founded in 2015, leads in clean mobility and climate-tech fund-raising and M&A.
Mr. Kashiva, a Metallurgy graduate with 50+ years in the steel sector. Since 2011, he has been Director General of the Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association, focusing on resource efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
Focuses on marine plastics and air pollution. Previously Director at TERI, he holds a PhD from IIT Delhi and has 22+ years of experience in environmental monitoring and air quality management.
Sukhmeet, tackles paddy straw burning by converting it into biofuels. Awarded globally, and featured at the UN General Assembly, he previously worked at Indian School of Business and has international experience.
Valentin Foltescu, Programme Management Officer at UNEP India, has been active in atmospheric environment since the 1990s. With a PhD from Gothenburg University, he has worked with EU institutions.
Ms. Jihyun Lee, focuses on air pollution. She led UNEP's 2023 report on air quality in Korea. With 13 years at Korea's Ministry of Environment, she contributed to fine dust management and the Korea Emission Trading Scheme.
Hitesh Panchasara, leads ESG initiatives, focusing on GHG reduction, sustainability, and environmental impact. Certified in TBEM and Lean Six Sigma, he emphasizes continuous improvement and sustainable growth.
Dr. A.K. Dixit, Scientist F at CPPRI, has 32 years in pulp and paper research, focusing on chemical recovery and biorefinery. He’s a trained energy manager, coordinated UNIDO projects, and overseen 100+ R&D programs.
Shri. Dinesh Dattatreya Kulkarni is the Organization Secretary at Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, driving key initiatives to advance farmer welfare and agricultural development in India.
Kapil Sharma is the COO of Prakriti E-mobility Pvt. Ltd., with a rich background including roles at Uber and Shuttl. His expertise in operations drives innovation and strategic growth in the e-mobility sector.
Professor Mayank Kumar is a distinguished academic at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, known for his significant contributions to research and education.
Time | Session Details |
---|---|
09:00-09:30 |
Registration
|
09:30-09:40 |
Welcome Address & Opening Remarks
Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan, IAS, Director General, National Productivity Council (NPC) |
09:40-09:50 |
Inaugural Address/Remarks
Mr. Mozaharul Alam, Officer-in-Charge, UNEP India Country Office and Regional Coordinator for Climate Action, UNEP Asia and the Pacific Office Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Director, Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, ESCAP Mr. Yu Kamei, Director, Office for International Cooperation, Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MoEJ) |
09:50-10:20 |
Tea Break |
10:20-10:35 |
Address by Chief Guest
Mr. Kamran Rizvi, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries |
10:35-11:00 |
Introduction: Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership and
developing bankable projects for air pollution reduction
Ms. Kakuko Nagatani-Yoshida, UNEP Global Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme / Global Coordinator for Finance and Economic Transformations Subprogramme |
11:00-11:30 |
Co-benefits approach: Air pollution and climate change
Mr. Yoshinori Momose, Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Office of International Carbon Market, Ministry of the Environment, Japan Ms. Yumi Yasuda, Deputy Director, Ministry of the Environment, Japan |
11:30-12:30 |
Panel Discussion : Air pollution, its sources, and solutions
Moderator: Mr. Shailesh Vickram Singh, Founder and Director, Massive Earth Foundation Panelists*
|
12:30-13:00 |
State of Air Quality and National Clean Air Proqramme (NCAP)
in India
Dr. Prashant Gargava, Director, National Clean Air Programme, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Air QualityAction Forum (AQAF): Introduction of AQAF and
Findings of the Needs Assessment Report for Air Quality
Management in India
Mr. Valentin Foltescu, Programme Management Officer, UNEP India Country Office Mr. Sumit Sharma, Programme Officer, UNEP India Country Office |
13:00-14:00 |
Lunch |
14:00-15:30 |
Panel Discussion: Understanding potential project ideas on
climate and clean air mitigation measures in various
industrial sectors
Moderator: Dr. Shukla Pal, Director, Environment & Climate Action Group, NPC Panelists:
|
15:30-16:00 |
Tea Break |
16:00-17:00 |
LowCarbon.Earth: Clean Air Innovation through Green Startups
Panel Discussion : Strengthening engagement of corporate in
air pollution and GHG emission mitigation
Moderator: Mr. Tejinder Miglani,Partner - Climate Angels, Formerly CTO - Indiabulls, Co-founder Incedo Inc. Panelists*
|
Time | Session Details |
---|---|
09:00-09:30 |
Registration
|
09:30-11:00 |
Session: Perspectives on solutions to address emissions from
open burning of agricultural crop residues and future
sustainability
Moderator: Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Director, Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, ESCAP Panelists
|
11:00-11:30 |
Tea break |
11:30-13:00 |
Session: Data Matters – Atmospheric Environment Network
Moderator: Dr. Mukesh Sharma, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India Panelists
|
13:00-14:00 |
Lunch |
14:00-15:30 |
Session: Life Matters: Unlocking finance by introducing
multiple benefit approach
Moderator: Dr. Archana Walia, India Director Clean Air Asia (CAA) Panelists
Session: Technology Matters – Available technology solutions
Moderator: Ms. Yumi Yasuda, Deputy Director Ministry of the Environment, Japan Panelists
|
15:30-16:00 |
Panel Discussion: Donor landscape for addressing air
pollution
Moderator: Mr. Vikas Arora, Chief Impact Investing Officer, AVPN Panelists*
|
16:00-16:15 |
Tea Break |
16:15-16:45 |
LowCarbon.Earth: Clean Air Innovation through Green Startups
Panel Discussion: What will it take to solve air pollution?
Moderator: Ms. Vasudha Madhavan, Founder & CEO, Ostara Advisors Panelists*
|
16:45-17:30 |
LowCarbon.Earth: Clean Air Innovation through Green Startups
Panel Discussion: Investment opportunities in the domain of
air pollution and GHG emission mitigation solutions
Moderator: Mr. Shailesh Vickram Singh, Founder and Director, Massive Earth Foundation Panelists*
|
17:30-18:00 |
Showcase: Featuring selected startups working to address air
pollution
|
18:00-18:15 |
Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks
|
19:00 Onwards |
Cocktail and networking dinner (by invitation)
|