As Big Countries Burn Less Coal, Air Gets Better Globally

In 2019, the global sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution fell by 6%, as the top three emitter countries, India, Russia, and China, saw a decline in coal use.

“In India we’re getting a glimpse of what reduced coal use means for air quality and health,” says Avinash Chanchal, campaigner at Greenpeace India. “In 2019, renewable energy capacity expanded, coal generation decreased, and we saw a corresponding improvement in air quality.”

The analysis of NASA satellite data was conducted by Greenpeace India and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Since the human-made pollutant is linked to fossil fuels, researchers strongly suggest to “speed up the energy transition away from coal and towards renewables, for our health and economy”.