What do we do?
Looking at air quality holistically.
Across sectors.
Our Work
Since its inception, the hub has taken up work across multiple sectors related to air pollution, based on the city's needs and the members' expertise and interest to contribute. Pune's Air Action Plan, made under the National Clean Air Programme anchored the initial activities, however over time our work evolved to go beyond the action plan, wherein the city's air quality actually dictates actions to be taken. Driven by this intent, we have explored sectors like crematoria emissions, waste burning, emissions from construction activities and the health impacts of deterioriting air quality.
Our Story
How We Work
Scientific, Data-Based Approach
Our effort is always to come from data, rather than subjective perceptions. To this effect, we find value in collating and understanding air quality data and its trends. Other methods of data based approach include conducting perception surveys, user surveys and physical mapping wherever relevant.
Policy Analysis
Understanding the existing policies and plans forms the basis of our work. This helps us identify gaps and make constructive recommendations to fill those.
Public Engagement
Creating awareness and interest in something as layered and complex as air pollution is a challenge and we are happy to tackle it through multiple, innovative ways. We conduct customised sessions for different stakeholder groups, as well as activities like low cost monitor walks, workshops and public installations.
Systemic Changes
We believe in creating systemic changes, rather than one off wins. This includes working with the authorities, offering our expertise and support and also demanding rightful things for cleaner air.
Focus Areas
Public Awareness
Empowering communities with localized data to drive informed civic participation and policy changes. We translate complex datasets into accessible dashboards and host localized intervention workshops.
Get Involved
Crematoria Emissions
Crematoria emissions can be reduced through a conscious shift to green alternatives like electric and gas cremation. Availability of gas and electric cremation facilities all over the city and nudges to shift people's choices are crucial to bring about this change. While working on the physical infrastructure needed to make this happen, the hub has also launched the Green Farewell Campaign to bring about this behaviour change.
Know more about the Green Farewell Campaign
Waste Burning
Waste burning is a persistent issue and contributes to local exposure of air pollution all across the city. Acknowledging that this is a symptom of gaps in the solid waste management system, the Hub has approached this issue from multiple angles. Firstly, there has been a focus on strengthening the enforcement system. This means demanding effective grievance redressal mechanism, flying squads and action to discourage burning. Other approaches include mapping of waste dumping hotspots, citizen engagement and persistent engagement with local ward offices for better outcomes.
Explore Data