Airpocalypse in Beijing and Delhi

Abstract

This chapter investigates the differences between territorial and associational forms of governance that are apparent in the case of air pollution control. It examines Beijing's clean air campaign that is led by the municipal government and applies a territorial strategy of holding local officials responsible for reducing pollution within their jurisdictions. It also discusses New Delhi's clean air campaign that has been spearheaded by environmental non-government organizations (NGOs), which strategically mobilize the Indian Supreme Court to prod the Delhi government into action. The chapter examines how both Beijing and New Delhi's approach will not be effective in tackling the problem of air pollution. It speculates whether blue skies can return to Beijing and Delhi through a combination of factors that depend on strong government intervention, private-ector compliance, market incentives, and citizen participation beyond the urban middle class and NGOs.