Bengaluru Gears Up for 5th India Clean Air Summit (ICAS) to Address Pollution Impact on Sustainable Development Goals
Bengaluru, 19th August 2023: The upcoming 5th edition of the India Clean Air Summit (ICAS), scheduled for August 23-25 in Bengaluru, is set to engage in crucial discussions on the ramifications of pollution for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Mission LiFE.
The summit will also explore the alignment of clean air objectives with climate policies and the potential of democratizing air pollution data to enhance citizen-driven scientific understanding. This significant gathering, organized by the Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a leading policy-research think tank in India, seeks to chart a comprehensive roadmap for a prosperous and peaceful future, aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The 17 SDGs at the heart of the agenda have been endorsed by all United Nations Member States, including India, presenting an urgent call to action. Simultaneously, the Government of India’s Mission LiFE initiative strives to harness the collective power of individuals and communities, driving positive behavioral shifts towards environmental conservation.
Addressing the pressing need to prioritize clean air within the SDGs and India’s strategies for mitigating climate change, ICAS 2023 intends to amalgamate these two vital agendas. This integration seeks to foster an inclusive dialogue that transcends boundaries, ensuring that clean air becomes an inherent part of the nation’s developmental trajectory, as stated by Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director, CSTEP.
Notable attendees for ICAS 2023 include NITI Aayog Member Dr. V K Saraswat, Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi, officials from Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh governments, WHO Director Dr. Maria Neira, representatives from Central and State Pollution Control Boards, experts from Indian Institutes of Technology, United Nations Environment Programme, Columbia University, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and more.
This three-day summit will spotlight the impact of air pollution on various SDGs, including those related to health and well-being, clean energy, sustainable cities, climate action, and biodiversity conservation. Panels will delve into the interconnections between clean air and SDGs, identifying obstacles, strategies for their mitigation, and linkages between urban and rural policies.
Recognizing the public’s pivotal role in enhancing air quality and democratizing air quality research, ICAS 2023 aims to bridge knowledge gaps, foster collaborations, and share successful case studies of incorporating clean air and climate policies. Moreover, the event will shed light on the role of urban planners in achieving SDGs, emphasizing the design of sustainable communities while pursuing smart city objectives.
Through ICAS, CSTEP envisions an inclusive platform uniting academia, civil society, industry, and government to inform research and policy solutions. Dr. Pratima Singh, Senior Research Scientist, CSTEP, highlights the summit’s growth in quality and participation, providing an avenue for innovative contributions and technology adoption.
Co-hosted by the Indian Aerosol Science and Technology Association, ICAS 2023 is supported by Clean Air Fund, Bloomberg, Open Philanthropy, along with collaborating partners like City Air, Apollo Hospitals, Airveda, Aurassure, TSI, Envea, Awasthi, and Aeron Systems. For registration and further details, visit the event website or contact [email protected].
