While we are advancing development, there are associated costs we are paying. Over the years, Nepal has witnessed a rapid degradation of air quality, with Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently reaching extremely worrying levels. At times, Kathmandu has even been ranked as the most polluted city in the world. For instance, in April this year, PM2.5 spiked to 365 µg/m³, a concentration categorized as hazardous (The Kathmandu Post).  

Parameters such as PM2.5 and PM10 are important indicators of air quality that reflect the level of pullution in the atmosphere. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter (solid or liquid droplets) in air less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. It is among the most dangerous pollutants that can get past the nose and throat to penetrate the lungs and even the blood stream. PM10 refers to larger particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter, which can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and also cause respiratory problems.  

The growing health risks from PM2.5, PM10 and other pollutants (such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide) stress the urgent need for stronger regulatory action and monitoring. This urgency has driven government efforts to strengthen the country’s air quality framework. In a major step towards addressing this crisis, the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) had released the updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 2082 for feedback and review from concerned stakeholders, which reflects its commitment to a participatory and inclusive approach.   

The updated standards have been released for the following five categories:  

1. National Ambient Air Quality Standards  

2. Standard on Emission, Chimney Height and Operation of Brick Industries 

3. Standard on Emission and Chimney Height for Industrial Boilers  

4. Standard on Emission and Chimney Height for Cement Industries  

5. Standard on Operation, Emission and Chimney Height for Industrial Furnace 

In response, a consultation workshop was organized, and CREASION was glad to be a part of the workshop. The event provided a platform for meaningful discussions among stakeholders from diverse sectors, including health, academia, energy, environmental law, civil society organizations, government representatives, youth, and students. 

One of the key discussion points of the consultation workshop was whether to set strict standards, which in Nepal’s context, may be difficult to achieve due to limited technology and knowledge gap, but also seem necessary when considering other commitments such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Given the current high levels of air pollution, the standards that have been set so far are not strict enough to meet Nepal’s NDC pledges, including the net-zero targets. The existing ambient air quality standards also fall short when compared with WHO Air Quality Guidelines.  

So, the dilemma becomes: do we prioritize practicality (realistic, achievable standards that fit Nepal’s present context), or aim for higher, progressive benchmarks that are more aspirational, but risk being seen as illusory and unattainable? A proposed solution was to set interim standards, rather than a single target, similar to setting practical milestones, on the way to better air quality levels which align with WHO’s Air Quality Guidelines. This will provide realistic as well as progressive steps, passing one checkpoint after another, which could also become motivating.  For example, Nepal’s annual PM2.5 limit of 25 µg/m³ aligns with WHO’s Interim Target 2, while the WHO AQG level for PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³, which represents the concentration considered safe for long-term health. 

Changing trends of air  

The right to clean air is the fundamental right of citizens. But the question remains whether this right is being effectively enforced and ensured. 

While the revised air quality standards are to be enforced as “technical regulations or mapdanda,” they are not legally binding, raising concerns about the level of adoption by industries and the strength of enforcement. Weak monitoring mechanisms and lack of compliance oversight were also highlighted. Suggestions included appointing Environmental Inspectors to strengthen monitoring and enforcement. Participants also criticized the lack of a time-bound revision process in the document. Without fixed timelines for updates, the standards could risk becoming outdated, considering the rate at which air pollution has been increasing in Nepal.  

While the updated standards mark an important step toward achieving clean air, the importance of public communication and education was also stressed. Technical standards need to be translated into messages the general public can understand, backed with an emphasis on preventive measures. The revised standards represent a good step towards cleaner air, but to actually get better results, it truly depends on how effectively they are adopted and implemented. This requires not just enforcement, but also support for industries and stakeholders through upgradation, training, and capacity building to transition toward cleaner technologies. After all, polluted air affects everyone, there is no escape from it. You can buy bottled water, but when the air turns toxic, there is no alternative.  

In one of the World Bank reports, it is stated that air pollution is the number one risk factor for death and disability in Nepal, surpassing malnutrition (second) and tobacco (third). The economic impacts of air pollution are substantial. If no additional measures are taken, the impact of air pollution is projected to intensify significantly by 2035. Under the baseline scenario, average PM2.5 concentrations will reach 52 µg/m³ in the Kathmandu Valley and 42 µg/m³ in the Terai, far above the WHO interim target of 35 µg/m³.  

Waste and air pollution  

Among the many causes of air pollution, such as wildfires, industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, open waste burning also significantly contributes to air pollution. In communities where waste management is lacking, burning trash, whether to clear space at dumpsites, scavenge valuable non-combustibles like metals, or generate heat often becomes the default choice. In controlled landfills, there can even be spontaneous ignition as methane gas from decomposing waste builds up. Open burning and methane emissions release a mixture of dangerous pollutants, including carcinogenic dioxins, furans, heavy metals, particulate matter, black carbon and greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide.  

These pollutants contribute significantly to global warming, degrade air quality, and pose serious threats to health and the environment. Robust solid waste management, through measures likes waste segregation, composting or anaerobic digestion of organic waste, landfill gas capture and conversion to renewable natural gas, and waste to energy processes equipped with advanced emissions controls-can dramatically curb the release of methane, black carbon, and other harmful pollutants, while also segregating clean energy and reducing dependance on fossil fuels (https://www.ccacoalition.org/content/waste-sector-solutions). 

By preventing open burning, recovering energy from waste, and integrating informal waste pickers into formal systems, proper waste management practices not only help curb climate change and preserve air quality but also support community health, economic resilience, and sustainable development. 

Way forward 

Countries in the EU, the US, Japan, and China have shown that stricter vehicle and industrial emission standards, the shift toward electric vehicles, and investments in public transport can bring noticeable improvements in air quality. In Nepal, steps such as modernizing brick kilns and promoting clean cooking technologies have already shown encouraging results. Building on these, we need stronger emission controls, wider use of renewable energy, better waste management, and more green spaces in our cities. Most importantly, lasting change will depend on collective effort, from government, civil society, and communities working together, to move beyond short-term fixes toward cleaner, healthier air for all. 

September 7 is celebrated as International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. This year, too, it was celebrated emphasizing the need to accelerate solutions and collective action to deliver clean air for all. It is high time we changed the narrative, moving away from focusing only on problems and toward implementing real solutions. Every year, during the dry season, we experience extreme levels of air pollution. The monsoon and rainfall bring temporary relief, improving air quality, but without concrete actions to combat pollution, we are likely to face the same situation again: high pollutant levels, hazy skies, and toxic air. The pressing question is whether we are prepared to continue enduring this cycle in the years to come or take necessary actions to ensure cleaner air and a safer environment.