Fossil fuel-driven air pollution claimed 1.72 million lives in India in 2022, according to The Lancet Countdown 2025Report on Health and Climate Change, published on Wednesday (October 29). Coal and petrol use alone accounted for over half a million deaths, underscoring the deadly cost of delayed climate action, the report, which tracked health impacts in more than 100 countries, stated.
The economic toll is staggering — premature mortality due to outdoor air pollution cost India $339.4 billion, equivalent to 9.5% of its GDP. Household air pollution, largely from solid biofuels, caused 113 deaths per 100,000, with rural areas suffering more (125 per 100,000) than urban areas (99 per 100,000), the report said.
In 2024, the average Indian experienced 19.8 heatwave days, with 6.6 days directly attributable to climate change. The country also witnessed a record high of 366 hours of heat exposure, posing moderate to severe health risks during outdoor activity. This extreme heat led to the loss of 247 billion labour hours, costing the economy $194 billion, with the agriculture and construction sectors bearing the brunt.
The report said that India’s preparedness for a low-carbon transition declined by 2% in 2024, reflecting a worrying backslide in climate resilience.
